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.
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.
[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.