Maria Bakalova

Actress
Producer
Writer

Academy Award nominee Maria Bakalova reveals how she transformed into Tutar for her role in 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.' She dives deep into how she created the character, what the hardest scene to shoot was, and why she occasionally had to carry a fish in her pocket.

Play clip4:28

'Borat' Star Maria Bakalova Had No Idea What She Was Auditioning For

Maria Bakalova was born on June 4, 1996 in Burgas, Bulgaria. At the age of six she started singing and flute lessons. She studied at the National School of Arts in Burgas, majoring in acting for drama theater and a second major in flute. After that she studied at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia. In 2019 she successfully graduated.

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Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 31 wins & 48 nominations total

Photos127

+ 123

Known for

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

6.6

Tutar Sagdiyev

2020

The Apprentice

7.1

Ivana Trump

2024

Bodies Bodies Bodies

6.1

2022

Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, and Maria Bakalova in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

7.9

Cosmo(voice)

2023

Credits

IMDbPro

Actress

Mayday
6.9
- 2026
Learning to Breathe Under Water
8.6
- Anya
- 2026
All Night Wrong
4.9
- Ell
- 2026
The Bad Guys 2
7.0
- Pigtail Petrova (voice)
- 2025
What Stays After
6.4
Short
- Maggie
- 2025
O Horizon
6.8
- Abby
- 2025
Creature Commandos
7.8
TV Series
- Princess Ilana
- Old Woman (voice)
- 2024–2025
Dirty Angels
4.6
- The Bomb
- 2024
Triumph
4.9
- Slava Platnikova
- 2024
The Apprentice
7.1
- Ivana Trump
- 2024
Unfrosted
5.5
- Rada Adzhubey
- 2024
Electra
4.4
- Francesca
- 2024
Blood Weed
7.9
Podcast Series
- Yelena (voice)
- 2023
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
7.9
- Cosmo (voice)
- 2023
Fairyland
6.7
- Paulette
- 2023

Producer

Writer

In-development projects at IMDbPro

Verified affiliations

Learn more at IMDbPro

Videos24

Clip 1:58

Chris Pratt and 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' Cast Talk Gamora and Spacedogs

Clip 4:28

'Borat' Star Maria Bakalova Had No Idea What She Was Auditioning For

Clip 4:28

'Borat' Star Maria Bakalova Had No Idea What She Was Auditioning For

Clip 3:27

Golden Globes 2021 Nominations to Know

Clip 1:57

Take 5 With Maria Bakalova of 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'

Interview 7:34

'Bodies Bodies Bodies' Cast and Director Answer Burning Questions [Extended Cut]

Interview 3:38

'Bodies Bodies Bodies' Cast and Director Answer Burning Questions

Personal details

Official sites
- Facebook
- Instagram
Height
- 5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
Born
- June 4, 1996
- Burgas, Bulgaria
Parents
- Rumiana Bakalova
Publicity listings
- 1 Article

Self-verified on IMDbPro

Gender / Gender identity
- Female
Pronouns
- she/her
Sexual orientation
- Straight

Did you know

Trivia
Is the first Bulgarian actor or actress to be nominated for a Golden Globe award, a SAG award, a Critics Choice award, a BAFTA or an Academy Award.

Quotes
[on Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)] I believe a lot of people can recognize themselves with the character of Tutar. She has a huge heart, full of dreams. We're living at a time when people are ready to stand up against misogyny and people are willing to support each other more and more.