50 Facts About Maria Bakalova

Early Life and Education

Maria Bakalova's journey to stardom began in a small town in Bulgaria. Her early life and education laid the foundation for her successful career.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on June 4, 1996, in Burgas, Bulgaria, Maria Bakalova grew up in a coastal town known for its beautiful beaches.
2. Early Education: At age six, she started taking singing lessons and playing the flute, showcasing her early interest in the arts.
3. Disciplined Child: Bakalova was a straight-A student, describing herself as super-disciplined and obsessed with reading, especially Dostoyevsky, by her mid-teens.
4. Literary Influences: She found solace in literature, particularly enjoying works by Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, and Mikhail Bulgakov.
5. Inspiration from Filmmakers: Filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg is her biggest influence, with Susanne Bier, Pedro Almodóvar, Paolo Sorrentino, and Andrea Arnold also inspiring her.

Theatrical Training and Early Career

Bakalova's formal training and early roles in theater and film set the stage for her breakout performance.

6. National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts: She moved to Sofia to major in drama at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts, participating in various stage productions.
7. On-Screen Debut: Her on-screen debut came in 2017 with a supporting role in the comedy-drama film XIIa.
8. First Headlining Role: In 2018, she starred in Transgression, playing Yana, a young girl in a complex relationship with an aging rock musician.
9. Awards and Recognition: For her role in Transgression, she won Best Actress at Toronto's Alternative Film Festival in 2018.

Breakthrough with Borat

Maria Bakalova's role in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm catapulted her to international fame and earned her numerous accolades.

10. Breakthrough Performance: Her portrayal of Borat's daughter, Tutar, in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm in 2020 was her breakout role.
11. Critics' Choice Award: She won a Critics' Choice Award for her performance in the film.
12. Oscar Nomination: Bakalova became the first Bulgarian actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.
13. BAFTA Nomination: She also received a BAFTA nomination for her role in the film.
14. Screen Actors Guild Nomination: Her performance earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
15. Golden Globe Nomination: She was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globe Awards.
16. First Bulgarian Actress Nominated: Bakalova made history as the first Bulgarian actress to be nominated for these prestigious awards.

Recognition and Influence

Bakalova's impact on the entertainment industry has been widely recognized, and she continues to advocate for representation.

17. Variety's "10 Actors to Watch": In 2020, Variety included her in their "10 Actors to Watch" list.
18. New York Times' Breakout Star: The New York Times named her one of 2020's breakout stars.
19. Collaboration with Louis Vuitton: Since 2021, she has worked closely with Louis Vuitton's creative director Nicolas Ghesquière.
20. Forbes 30 Under 30: In 2021, she appeared on two of Forbes magazine's annual 30 Under 30 lists.
21. W Magazine's Best Performances: W featured her in their annual "Best Performances" issue.
22. Variety's Impactful Women: Variety named her among the women who have made an impact on the global entertainment industry.
23. Forbes Bulgaria's Top 70 Celebrities: Bakalova has topped Forbes Bulgaria's "Top 70 Bulgarian Celebrities" list twice.
24. Advocate for Representation: She co-founded the production company Five Oceans to bring Bulgarian, Balkan, and Slavic stories to international audiences.
25. Support for Ukraine: At the 27th Critics' Choice Awards, she voiced her support for Ukraine and called for cultural and artistic exchange between Eastern Europe and Hollywood.

Challenges and Method Acting

Bakalova's dedication to her craft is evident in her approach to acting and the challenges she has faced.

26. Early Interest in Music: Her early passion for music evolved into a love for acting, training as a singer and flautist.
27. Audition Process for Borat: She recorded several audition tapes for Borat, one of which was made in a forest with a phone that had no reception.
28. Meeting Sacha Baron Cohen: In London, she met Sacha Baron Cohen and proved her skills through a series of auditions, including attempting to eat live fish from an aquarium.
29. Natural Exuberance: Her natural exuberance makes her an engaging film presence, heightened by her experiences.
30. Challenges in Borat: The toughest scene for her was the one involving Rudy Giuliani, requiring her to stay in character while interacting with strangers.
31. Method Acting: Bakalova describes her acting style as method acting, often feeling like she was Tutar during the shoot.
32. Scene with Giuliani: She saw exactly what the audience sees in the scene with Giuliani, knowing who he was and feeling afraid.
33. Intense Situation: Her heart raced during the intense situation with Giuliani, knowing it was her duty to do the scene to save the movie.
34. Support from Sacha Baron Cohen: Baron Cohen coached her in techniques to avoid breaking character, advising her to go deep inside the character.

Versatility and Future Projects

Bakalova's versatility as an actress is evident in her diverse roles and upcoming projects.

35. Breakthrough Role: Her role in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm has been described as both the film’s secret weapon and its breakout success.
36. Global Audience: The film reached a large global audience, with Bakalova’s performance praised for its madcap energy and touching conviction.
37. Impact on Feminist Themes: The movie received rave reviews for her portrayal of a young woman breaking free from demeaning, sexist notions.
38. Jeanise Jones’ Role: Jeanise Jones, a grandmother who played a babysitter in the film, wasn’t in on the joke and was paid $3,600 for her role.
39. Bakalova’s Reaction to the Scene: She felt a mix of fear and duty during the scene with Giuliani, knowing she had to do it to save the movie.
40. Bakalova’s Inspiration from Dogme 95: Inspired by the Dogme 95 movement, she showcased her versatility by taking on a role in Borat.
41. Bakalova’s Theatrical Training: Her training at the Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts prepared her for a diverse range of roles.
42. Bakalova’s Favorite Movie of 2020: Her favorite movie of 2020 was Another Round, directed by Thomas Vinterberg.
43. Bakalova’s Role in Bodies Bodies Bodies: She starred in the A24 satirical slasher Bodies Bodies Bodies, playing Bee, a private and introverted character.
44. Director Halina Reijn’s Praise: Director Halina Reijn praised Bakalova’s ability to play a character opposite to her previous roles.
45. Lee Pace’s Praise: Co-star Lee Pace praised her subtle and introspective acting style in Bodies Bodies Bodies.
46. Bakalova’s Upcoming Role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: She will play Cosmo the telepathic space dog in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
47. Bakalova’s Inspiration from Marvel Universe: She became a fan of the Marvel universe because of Guardians of the Galaxy.
48. Bakalova’s Career Milestones: She has achieved several career milestones, including becoming the first Bulgarian actress to be nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
49. Bakalova’s Advocacy for Representation: She co-founded the production company Five Oceans to bring Bulgarian, Balkan, and Slavic stories to international audiences.
50. Bakalova’s Future Projects: With her upcoming role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and continued advocacy for representation, Maria Bakalova is poised to make significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

Maria Bakalova's Rising Star

Maria Bakalova's journey from Burgas, Bulgaria, to Hollywood's spotlight is nothing short of inspiring. Her breakout role in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm showcased her fearless talent, earning her nominations for prestigious awards like the Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes. Bakalova's dedication to her craft, combined with her advocacy for Bulgarian and Eastern European representation, sets her apart in the entertainment industry. With upcoming roles in projects like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, she's poised to continue making waves. Her story is a testament to hard work, versatility, and the power of representation. As she continues to break barriers and take on diverse roles, Maria Bakalova remains a name to watch in Hollywood. Her impact on the industry and her commitment to bringing unique stories to the forefront ensure her star will keep rising.