Maria Bakalova has officially cemented her position as a breakout star in Hollywood amidst the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, earning a prestigious Golden Globe nomination.

The 24-year-old Bulgarian actor received a nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her role as Tutar in "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm." Portraying the 15-year-old daughter of the fictional Kazakhstani TV personality Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen), Bakalova notably featured in the film's most infamous scene with Rudy Giuliani.

Following the announcement of the Golden Globe nominations, Bakalova expressed her gratitude, stating that playing Tutar will "forever remain a highlight not only of my career but life."

"I am the happiest person in the whole flat world," she quipped, "and I hope that this recognition brings more attention to some of my incredibly talented acting and filmmaking colleagues in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe."

Anticipation for Bakalova's nomination was widespread among critics and Hollywood insiders, given her acclaimed performance that added depth to the raucous and provocative comedy.

Currently residing in Los Angeles, Bakalova views the "Borat" sequel as fundamentally a feminist story, highlighting the growth and challenges faced by a girl in society. In an interview last year with The New York Times, she emphasized the movie's exploration of how women are treated inequitably and the limited options they often encounter.

The success of the film not only propelled Bakalova's Hollywood career but also provided an opportunity to showcase her home country, Bulgaria, on the global stage.

"Things like that are not happening to people like us, Bulgarians," she remarked. "Most of the time, there is eventually a small, small extra part in a movie, two or three lines as like a prostitute or a Mafia guy. I will be really grateful to Sacha for giving this platform to an Eastern European, to play a strong and complicated character who’s not just one thing."<