Bio: 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.
Tivia: 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.Recorded her initial audition for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020) on her cell phone at a party, after graduating from The National Academy of Theater and Film Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria.She found out about her Oscar nomination for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020) on the set of The Bubble (2022). Director Judd Apatow told her about it while filming a take for that film.Member of the 'Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (AMPAS) since 2021.Speaks fluent Bulgarian and English.