Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova has shared insights into the rigorous process she undertook to prepare for her portrayal of Ivana Trump, the first wife of Donald Trump, in the film The Apprentice.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Bakalova detailed how she spent hours studying photographs of Ivana to capture the character’s essence.
The film, directed by Ali Abbasi, is now playing in North American theaters and is set for release in the UK on October 18, with a screening in Bulgaria on November 24 during the “Kinomania” festival.
Set against the backdrop of the 1970s and 1980s, Bakalova dedicated considerable time to examining Ivana’s distinct style from that period, particularly her makeup and hairstyles.
“There was a lot of makeup, a lot of hair,” she said with amusement, noting that she experimented with a mushroom-like haircut and heavy eyeliner to replicate the look.
Although she did not have access to a wardrobe that exactly matched Ivana’s style, Bakalova adapted by altering her usual baggy clothing to better fit the role.
Bakalova’s preparation also involved a meeting with Abbasi in New York, where she described herself as feeling like a “clown” while attempting to emulate Ivana’s look.
Despite being involved in another project at the time, their discussion touched on their shared experiences as individuals from post-communist countries, with Ivana hailing from Czechoslovakia and Bakalova growing up in Bulgaria.
Ivana Trump, known for her achievements as a competitive skier in the late 1960s, helped to shape the public image of the Trump family during her marriage to Donald in the 1980s.
Bakalova, born in the mid-1990s, recalled that while Bulgaria was no longer a socialist state, opportunities to travel abroad were still limited.
Her early career as a singer, however, allowed her to perform across Europe, instilling a sense of independence and broadening her horizons.
Bakalova’s role as Ivana marks her most significant project since her breakout performance in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for portraying Borat’s daughter, Tutar.
However, she faced skepticism from her agents regarding the role of Ivana, given that established American actresses were also auditioning.
“What’s crucial is that Abbasi provided an Eastern European actress the opportunity to compete,” she emphasized, underscoring the importance of diverse casting.
She expressed admiration for Abbasi’s approach and his interest in exploring American culture through the film.
As she delved deeper into Ivana’s life, Bakalova found herself increasingly fascinated by her accomplishments, particularly her involvement in Donald Trump’s business ventures, such as managing the New York Plaza Hotel.
“I believe she was instrumental in his early success due to her intelligence and ambition,” Bakalova said.
The film portrays a power dynamic in which Ivana initially holds influence over Donald in their relationship. While the movie may not offer a sharply critical view of Trump, it aims to depict the complexity of human nature.
Bakalova argued against the tendency to idolize or demonize figures, describing Trump as “one of the most evil people of our century.”
With The Apprentice set to release ahead of the U.S. elections, Bakalova insisted that the timing was coincidental. “It’s not a political film, it’s not hate,” she concluded, emphasizing that the film’s focus is on storytelling rather than making a political statement.