Jay Ellis recently revealed how his Top Gun: Maverick co-star Miles Teller helped him propose to his wife Nina Senicar after a series of unexpected setbacks during a trip to Bali in 2019. While reflecting on the experience, Ellis shared that guidance from his castmates was crucial, transforming a series of comical obstacles into a memorable engagement, with the focus keyword: Miles Teller helped Jay Ellis propose successfully.
Unexpected Obstacles on a Bali Vacation
While appearing on the Today show, Jay Ellis, who played a key role in Top Gun: Maverick, detailed how he tried to plan the perfect moment to propose to Nina Senicar during their Bali getaway. Despite carrying the ring everywhere in his backpack and hoping for spontaneity, he encountered several mishaps.
“I had the ring with me. I took it everywhere with me. I kept it in my backpack as we were adventuring around Bali, and I didn’t know what day I was gonna do it,”
—Jay Ellis, Actor
Ellis initially selected New Year’s Eve for the big moment. Unfortunately, both he and Senicar fell ill with “Bali Belly,” a digestive condition commonly caused by contaminated food or water, leading to two days of recovery instead of celebration.
“And the day I actually was gonna do it was the 31st of December — I was gonna do it on New Year’s — but we all got Bali Belly,”
—Jay Ellis, Actor
Advice from Top Gun Wingmen
After recovering, Ellis considered proposing underwater during a scuba diving excursion, a plan influenced by discussions with his Top Gun castmates. However, Monica Barbaro was quick to critique the idea.
“Now, I want to back up and say I was in the middle of filming Top Gun when this happened and I had pitched this to my castmates,”
—Jay Ellis, Actor.
“And Monica Barbaro was like, ‘That is the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. The first thing people wanna do when they get engaged is kiss! You’re gonna be underwater, what are you gonna do, [bubbling noises]?’ Shout out to Monica, she was right.”
—Monica Barbaro, Actress
The plan seemed riskier after Ellis noted that Senicar was not comfortable underwater and didn’t even enjoy scuba diving. With mounting pressure and time running out, Ellis considered a less romantic coffee shop proposal after an argument about holiday work interruptions.
“I reach into my backpack and I’m like, ‘Is this what you want!?’”
—Jay Ellis, Actor.
“And she goes, ‘No! You will not propose to me like this!’”
—Nina Senicar, Model & Actress
Miles Teller’s Local Insight Leads to Success
The proposal could have ended in disappointment if not for a suggestion from Miles Teller. Teller recommended a scenic beach in Uluwatu, Bali, creating the perfect backdrop for Ellis’s proposal.
“Miles Teller told me about this beach in Uluwatu. We’re on this beach and we’re watching the sun go down and I am just panicking and I’m freaking out,”
—Jay Ellis, Actor.
“She turns and she looks away to look at the sunset and as she looks, I reach in my bag and I pull it out. And she turns around and I say, ‘Can we do this again? Will you marry me?’ And that was it!”
—Jay Ellis, Actor
Ultimately, Ellis and Senicar enjoyed a beautiful sunset moment, away from illness and awkward proposals. Their engagement story became an anecdote for many, illustrating how even well-laid plans can require a little help from friends.
A Star-Studded Wedding and Lasting Connections
In 2022, Jay Ellis and Nina Senicar celebrated their wedding during a romantic ceremony in Tuscany, Italy. Several members of the Top Gun: Maverick cast, including Glen Powell and Danny Ramirez, attended the festivities, reflecting the lasting bond forged on the set of the Oscar-winning film. The couple, now parents to two children, look back fondly on the journey that led to their union.
Ellis, along with Monica Barbaro, Miles Teller, and others, became part of the Top Gun franchise’s celebrated “new recruits,” joining Tom Cruise’s iconic Pete Mitchell for a high-octane mission. The film, produced by Paramount Pictures, Skydance, and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, revitalized box office returns after the COVID-19 pandemic, taking in $1.48 billion globally and ranking as the 14th highest-grossing movie ever.
Potential for More High-Flying Adventures
Excitement for the Top Gun universe continues as rumors build regarding a third installment. Mission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie recently confirmed that the framework for Top Gun 3 is already established.
“It wasn’t hard. I thought it would be, and that’s a good place to go from as you walk into the room going, ‘Come on, what are we going to do?’ And [Maverick co-writer] Ehren Kruger pitched something, and I went, ‘Mmm actually,’ and we had one conversation about it, and the framework is there. So, no, it’s not hard to crack. The truth of the matter is, none of these are hard to crack.”
—Christopher McQuarrie, Filmmaker
As fans await official news of another cinematic flight with Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and his team, Jay Ellis’s Bali proposal story stands as a testament to friendship, the unexpected, and a little help from those you trust the most.
