During a revealing television appearance, Jay Ellis explained how Miles Teller helped him propose to his now-wife, Nina Senicar, after a series of unpredictable events in Bali upended his original plans. The story behind how Miles Teller helped Jay Ellis propose to wife highlights the support Ellis received from his Top Gun: Maverick costars and sheds light on the comedic challenges leading up to a romantic engagement.
How Jay Ellis’ Proposal Plans in Bali Took a Turbulent Turn
Jay Ellis, widely known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, appeared on the Today show and candidly discussed the pivotal role his castmates Monica Barbaro and Miles Teller played in both the film and his personal life. Ellis recounted how he brought an engagement ring on a 2019 trip to Bali, determined to find the perfect moment to pop the question to Nina Senicar.
According to Ellis, the decision was not as straightforward as he expected. Traveling through Bali with the ring carefully tucked away in his backpack, he waited for inspiration to strike. Initially, Ellis intended to propose on December 31, New Year’s Eve, a date carrying its own significance. However, both he and Senicar were struck by “Bali Belly,” a common term for digestive troubles caused by contaminated food or water, known for bringing symptoms like cramps and fever. This illness forced the couple to postpone any plans while they took two days to recover.
Scuba Diving Plans and Castmate Interventions
Once the worst had passed, Ellis considered proposing during a scuba diving excursion, even though Senicar was not a fan of underwater activities. Wanting advice, Ellis shared this plan with his Top Gun: Maverick co-stars while continuing to film.
As he described, Monica Barbaro firmly discouraged the underwater proposal idea:
“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, Actor
The pressure to create a memorable proposal kept mounting, causing Ellis to nearly ask Senicar at a coffee shop during a moment of frustration over work during their trip. The tension came to a head when he jokingly responded to her complaints:
“I reach into my backpack and I’m like, ‘Is this what you want!?’”
—Jay Ellis, Actor
Senicar refused, urging Ellis not to let such an important moment happen in such a casual setting:
“And she goes, ‘No! You will not propose to me like this!’”
—Nina Senicar
Miles Teller’s Help and a Sunset to Remember
The pivotal moment came thanks to a suggestion from Miles Teller, who recommended a picturesque beach in Uluwatu for the proposal. The next day, Ellis and Senicar visited the beach, watched the sun set, and with his nerves mounting, Ellis seized the opportunity as Senicar admired the view to finally present the ring and ask the question that changed the course of their lives. Ellis recounted the experience and the sense of relief that followed:
“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, 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
The couple later formalized their commitment in an elegant wedding ceremony held in Tuscany, Italy in 2022, attended by Top Gun cast members Glen Powell and Danny Ramirez. Today, the couple has two children together.
Top Gun: Maverick’s Cast Camaraderie and Future Prospects
The real-life friendship among Top Gun: Maverick’s ensemble proved lasting beyond the set. Alongside Monica Barbaro, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, and Danny Ramirez, the cast brought new energy to the Top Gun franchise under the steady leadership of Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. The film, a sequel to the 1986 original, proved essential for post-pandemic audiences, grossing $1.48 billion and achieving status as the 14th highest-earning film in history.
The strong off-screen bonds formed during filming extended into their personal milestones and continued to foster anticipation for future projects among fans and industry insiders.
Prospects for a Third Top Gun Film
Recent interviews suggest that the glowing camaraderie and storytelling are likely to continue, as a third film is in active discussion. Christopher McQuarrie, director for the Mission: Impossible franchise, spoke on the Happy Sad Confused podcast about early progress on the Top Gun threequel:
“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, Director
Enduring Connections and the Impact of the Proposal Story
The tale of how Miles Teller helped Jay Ellis propose to wife Nina Senicar intertwines friendship, humor, and persistence, reflecting the genuine relationships built among the cast. From humorous setbacks in Bali to a celebrated wedding and ongoing collaborations, the story highlights how the connections formed on major productions ripple into pivotal life moments and cultural milestones, adding further intrigue to the looming possibilities of another Top Gun adventure.
