Maria Bakalova Talks Working with Pete Davidson, How Life Changed After 'Borat 2' Oscar Nod

Mar. 15, 2025

Maria Bakalovaskyrocketed to fame after starring in2020’sBoratsequel, in which her characterinterviews former New York City mayor Rudy Giulianiin a New York City hotel room. The breakout role earned her an Oscar nomination, but the Bulgarian actress, 26, feels like she’s just getting started.

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation

Bakalova enjoys the range of roles she’s taken on so far, including her latest as shy Bee incomedic thrillerBodies Bodies Bodies.

“I’m usually not a fan of scary movies, because I get scared very easily from little things,” she says. “But this one, it’s relevant to my generation, it’s relevant to social media and our addiction to it. We call people ‘friend’ just because they’re on our contact list on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram, without knowing anything about them.”

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InBodies Bodies Bodies, a group of friends gather at one of their parents' houses to ride out a hurricane with plenty of booze and drugs. But when the electricity goes out, so does any loyalty between the social media-obsessed pals.

RELATED VIDEO: Sacha Baron Cohen on Casting Maria Bakalova

Despite all the tension on screen, Bakalova says “there was lots of fun and love and trauma bonding” between her costarsPete Davidson,Amandla Stenberg, Myha’la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott andLee Pace.

“It’s been beautiful to meet people that are dedicated, intelligent, talented and kind of workaholics,” she continues.

Bodies Bodies Bodies.Gwen Capistran/A24

Davidson, 28, provided the comedic relief between the tense moments of filming. “He’s incredibly funny and fearless,” Bakalova gushes oftheSaturday Night Livealum. “He was so freaking organized and disciplined and prepared to jump into this horrible character that he’s playing, when he himself is one of the sweetest, nicest people on this planet.”

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Bakalova attendedSan Diego Comic-Conlast month with herBodiescostars, as well as part of theGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3cast, as she’ll play astronaut pup Cosmo the Spacedog in the upcoming installment of the Marvel franchise.

“Comic-Con was great. It was overwhelming, exciting — so many emotions,” Bakalova recalls. “The Marvel Comic-Con, I was like, ‘That’s a whole new world.’ There’s so many people jumping out of everywhere and they’re so welcoming and excited about what’s to come for this beautiful franchise. That’s at the end of the day, what we dream for; If they leave feeling something, you did your job.”

Maria Bakalova and Sacha Baron Cohen inBorat Subsequent Moviefilm.Amazon Studios

Going forward, Bakalova wants to continue taking on parts that she feels differ from her own personality. “I never thought I’ll do a comedy,” she says, referring toBorat Subsequent Moviefilm. “I’m excited to see what is going to land to me. If the script is good, if the team is great, the genre should not really matter. It’s about what you give to the people.”

Bodies Bodies Bodiesis in theaters now.

source: people.com