Maria Bakalova: A Tale of New York Adventures ⁣and Hollywood Triumphs

A daring start

The first time Maria Bakalova landed in New York City, it was anything but a typical ⁢visit. She arrived in disguise for a much-anticipated scene in 2020’s controversial “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” where she found herself alone⁤ in‍ a hotel room with Rudy Giuliani. Tension ‌escalated when​ Giuliani made questionable advances, reaching into his pants, ⁣only for Sacha Baron Cohen ⁢to burst in, clad in a wig and lingerie. The ensuing chaos ⁤saw Giuliani call ‌the ⁤police, prompting Bakalova and Cohen ⁣to sprint down⁢ Broadway‌ and escape to Romania to complete their film. ​The vivid recollections of this escapade⁣ remain etched in her memory.

“We shot the scene, and ⁤immediately after, the police began⁣ chasing⁣ us,”⁣ Bakalova recalls. “I⁣ was⁢ terrified I might end up in jail.”

A series of unfortunate events

Her second visit to New York wasn’t much kinder. In December 2021, she attended a screening of her​ A24 movie “Bodies Bodies Bodies” and unfortunately brought COVID-19 back with her to Los‌ Angeles. This unwelcome virus ruled her⁤ out of spending Christmas with her family in Bulgaria.

About New York: “I thought I’d never set foot in New York again,” she ⁣laughs, referring to a ‌subsequent trip‌ where‍ her purse, ⁣containing her‍ passport and visa, was stolen. This incident plunged her into an ‍eight-week ordeal to obtain a new visa.

In August 2022, Bakalova’s path led her back to New York for a meeting with director ​Madeleine ​Sackler about a role in “O Horizon.” Just 48 hours later, she was on set for the sci-fi⁣ dramedy. And⁣ days ​before the shoot wrapped, Bakalova‌ received the script for Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice.” Despite considering New York a cursed city, her perception began to change ​as the karma of the city shifted‍ in her favor.

Falling in love with a cursed city

Reflecting on her tumultuous relationship with New York City, Bakalova​ now finds herself growing fond of the city that once seemed so hostile. ⁤She’s ⁢back⁢ for the premiere of “The Apprentice” The ⁣Apprentice‍ trailer, exploring Donald Trump’s ascension as a young‌ entrepreneur‍ in‌ 1970s Manhattan. Maria Bakalova portrays his first wife, ‌Ivana Trump, opposite‌ Sebastian ‌Stan as⁢ Trump and Jeremy​ Strong as his mentor, Roy Cohn.

Released just ahead of⁢ a critical presidential election, “The Apprentice” is not Bakalova’s first foray into⁢ American politics through her roles. Her⁤ performance in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” saw​ her alongside⁤ Baron Cohen, infiltrating the heart of MAGA-land amid crashing speeches⁢ and surviving advances from Trump’s then-attorney.

A non-political perspective

Despite often being involved in politically charged roles, Bakalova doesn’t see her work as inherently political. Instead, she views these films as explorations of larger systems.

On American Politics: “It’s a⁢ bigger picture than just these people,” Bakalova says, now seated at a patio, poking at a burrata⁢ salad in ⁢between‌ Juul hits. “It’s the empire itself. It’s the American dream, and ⁣its ⁤dark side.”

Born in the port city ⁤of Burgas,⁣ Bakalova started as a competitive singer. For Balkan kids seeking to escape, the path​ leads⁣ through music or sports. Traveling extensively with a youth vocal ⁢ensemble, she earned medals​ and scholarships that offered glimpses of a world ​beyond. Her early 20s saw her attending drama school,​ landing small parts, and eventually moving ‍to Los Angeles after securing the role in “Borat.”

Her journey bears similarities to‌ Ivana Trump’s, who arrived in New York as a competitive skier and model, later playing critical roles within The Trump Organization.

Preparing for⁤ the role of Ivana

Determined to embody Ivana, Bakalova fought tirelessly⁢ for ⁢the ⁣part in “The Apprentice.” Although only a year younger than Ivana’s‍ character, ⁢Bakalova feared she might appear too juvenile.‍ She spent hours emulating Ivana’s makeup and‍ midcentury updo in a Manhattan hotel, readying herself for her audition.

“It’s so‍ freaky,”⁣ she says, ⁤flipping through photos. “It’s ‌so embarrassing because it’s like, is this going to land well?”

Her preparation paid off. Although visually nailing the look in a day, mastering Ivana’s Czech accent took six months, incorporating aspects of British, New York, German, and Eastern European influences. Remaining ‌in⁢ character between takes, Bakalova excelled‌ in the improvisational setting alongside Stan‌ and Strong, demanding thorough research ‍into​ their characters.

Her commitment didn’t end with shooting. Her​ Spotify⁤ shows a playlist called “My Ivana,” filled with tracks like ​ ABBA’s “Money, Money, Money,” Tate McRae’s “Greedy,” and Måneskin’s “Supermodel,” encapsulating Ivana’s essence.

Tackling ​tough themes

A pivotal scene in “The Apprentice” depicts Donald Trump sexually assaulting ⁢Ivana, reflecting ⁤allegations made during their 1990 divorce proceedings, although later retracted. ‍Rehearsing the‍ scene with ⁣Stan, Abbasi, intimacy, and stunt coordinators, Bakalova emphasized the challenge of conveying ‌such⁢ a harrowing reality authentically.

“To show the authenticity of⁣ something that ugly, something taking place ‌in someone’s life, is difficult,” Bakalova explains. “It’s challenging to physically undress, ‍but even more so to be emotionally bare.”

The scene sparked intense controversy, leading Trump’s legal‍ team ⁣to issue a cease-and-desist letter, attempting to block the film’s ‌release.​ Despite such hurdles, “The Apprentice” found its way to audiences, with Briarcliff Entertainment acquiring the distribution ‌rights and launching an unprecedented fundraising campaign to sustain its theater presence.

Reflecting on her ⁤career and experiences, Bakalova remains optimistic yet grounded. Her connection​ to her heritage,⁢ underscored by visits ​to a psychic, suggests a keen awareness of ‌the tumultuous political climate. While she’s circumspect about the future, Maria Bakalova’s⁣ journey from a competitive singer in Burgas⁢ to a Hollywood starlet navigating New York’s ​complexities, underscores her resilience and dedication.

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