ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Film

Breakout star ‘Borat’s’ Bakalova conquers H’wood By Jocelyn Noveck

o what did you do at 5 am after staying up all Snight for your prom? Maria Bakalova became a movie star. The 24-year-old actress has been telling the story of how she had a few free hours after partying all night (she’d just gotten her diploma) and before shooting a movie in a remote spot in her home country, Bulgaria. She made a few audition improv videos with her phone and sent them off. The project was so secret, Bakalova has said she actu- ally worried she was being recruited for human traf- ficking. But soon she was in London auditioning for Sa- cha Baron Cohen to star in his “Borat Subsequent Mov- iefilm” as his yet-unknown 15-year-old daughter, Tutar. Now Bakalova, living in Bakalova Los Angeles, is the toast of Hollywood, nominated for a Golden Globe as well as a SAG award and Critics Choice award, and generating some Os- car buzz, too. Bakalova started her career acting in Bulgarian fi lms including 2017‘s “XII A”, following the lead Bruce Springsteen, (left), appears with former President Barack Obama during their podcast of conversations recorded at Springsteen’s home studio in New Jersey. performances in 2018’s “Transgression” - Yana, The eight-episode series covers their upbringings, racism, fatherhood and even recall a White House singalong around a piano. (AP) 2018’s “Angels” — Angela , 2018’s “Kalinka” — Kalina, 2019’s “The Father” — the mother, 2020’s “Last Call” — Alexandra and 2021’s “Women do cry” — Sonja. Media On the morning she heard about the Globes nom- ination — a proud fi rst for a Bulgarian — an ex- hilarated Bakalova sat down for a Zoom interview, so excited that she had to calm down by reminding herself: “Be strong Maria, you’re a strong Balkan Odd couple team up for Spotify series girl!” AP: How are you doing? Bakalova: No words to describe how grateful I Obama, Boss swap tales on podcast am and how excited. Just no words. it’s a mix of all of the emotions that you can imagine. NEW YORK, Feb 28, (AP): Barack AP: How did you hear the news? Obama and Bruce Springsteen are Bakalova: When they said it (on TV) I was with- teaming up for an eight-episode Spo- Popular ‘Reply All’ podcast paused out a reaction …. complete blackout. “Is it real? Is tify podcast series, swapping stories it happening?” And I fi nally realized maybe 20 about their upbringings and even a minutes later, “Oh, my God, it is happening.” And White House singalong around a pi- amid accusation of toxic behavior with the company of all of these incredible actors ano. that I’ve been admiring my entire life … and the The fi rst two episodes of “Ren- NEW YORK, Feb 28, (AP): The Both have left the podcast, he said. people from Bulgaria, because it’s the fi rst nomi- egades: Born in the USA,” a conversa- popular “Reply All” podcast has Spotify, which acquired Gimlet been put on hiatus and is cancel- in 2019, said Pinnamaneni and nation for an actor in the West. It brings hope and tion recorded in Springsteen’s guitar- fi lled home studio in New Jersey, were ing two remaining episodes of a Vogt are still at Gimlet. Neither Pin- dreams to Bulgarians and to Eastern Europeans. series that explored allegations of namaneni nor Vogt responded to I’m just super humbled and happy and grateful. made available on Monday. structural racism and a problematic messages seeking comment. And I cannot stop talking. Justin Bieber arrives at the premiere Spotify has moved aggressively in work culture at food magazine Bon The editor of Bon Appetit, Adam AP: This must be an amazing moment indeed for of ‘Justin Bieber: Seasons’ on Jan 27. podcasts over the past three years, and Appetit. Rapoport, resigned last year after Bieber turns 27 on March 1. (AP) made other programming announce- The reason? Former employ- an old photo of him and his wife Bulgaria. ments Monday. The audio stream- Bakalova: It is (crying). Be strong. Maria, ees at Gimlet Media, the podcast’s dressed in stereotypical Puerto Ri- ing service has already worked with publisher, charged that two people can costumes surfaced on social you’re a strong Balkan girl! We’ve been praying. Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher behind “Reply All” had exhibited media. Upset employees, espe- We’ve been hoping. We’ve been dreaming. And Ground production company, and the behavior similar to what they were cially those who had been work- now when it’s happening and when we have the former fi rst lady’s podcast is the ser- investigating at Bon Appetit. ing on racial inequities at the food fi rst step, it is something I hope we are going to vice’s most popular original. Alex Goldman, one of the hosts magazine and its popular YouTube keep developing and we’re going to keep opening of “Reply All,” said in an audio videos, seized the moment to press doors, because there are some really incredible art- Megalomania statement Thursday that “we for changes at the publication. ists from Eastern Europe, from Bulgaria. The seemingly offbeat relationship should never have published this Those events took place in mid- AP: You’ve trained as an actor, but not in com- between the former president and rock series as reported.” He apolo- 2020 during a reckoning in media star began when Springsteen performed gized to current and former col- and other industries that emerged edy. When did you realize you could be funny? leagues, listeners and sources for following the death of George Floyd Bakalova: I didn’t realize ... I mean, I think benefi ts for Obama during his presiden- tial campaigns. But it has blossomed into the series on Bon Appetit, called and protests against police brutality I’m a little bit awkward and weird as a person deeper conversations since he left offi ce, “The Test Kitchen.” toward Black people. and the way that I’m behaving, with all of these Weinstein Segal “Former colleagues of ours at The “Reply All” series on Bon Obama said in the fi rst episode. Gimlet publicly described multiple Appetit was reported over eight gestures. But maybe the company of this master, “He’s a rock ‘n’ roll icon,” he said. Sacha Baron Cohen … having him next to me, instances of troubling behavior from months. Two of four episodes have “I’m a lawyer and politician. Not as Sruthi and P.J.,” Goldman said, re- aired, telling the stories of current supporting me, guiding me and being my mentor Variety cool. And as I like to remind Bruce ferring to senior reporter Sruthi Pin- and former Black, Latino, Indian- and teacher with this incredible script that was every chance I get, he’s more than a namaneni, who narrated “The Test American and Asian-American evolving every single day... I was lucky enough decade older than me.” Kitchen,” and co-host P.J. Vogt. staffers at the magazine. to have this team behind my back that believed in LOS ANGELES: Fred Segal, a notable The men recalled a White House me, counted on me and supported me to find my Los Angeles-based celebrity fashion visit, which included Springsteen funny sides. Because life is funny. When I think retailer, died Thursday. He was 87. playing the piano as Broadway and friendship. piles stories from Muslim voices and how small a period of time we have on this earth, Segal died from the complications of Motown tunes were sung. a stroke at a Santa Monica hospital, his “We still have a fundamental belief will debut throughout Ramadan. it’s actually funny! “There were libations involved,” in the American ideal,” Obama said. The service also said it had reached publicist said Friday. Obama said. AP: Have you spoken to Sacha? Segal “was an innovator, a forward “Not as nostalgia. But as a compass.” a deal with Warner Brothers and DC Bakalova: Springsteen uses a few of those gui- The “Renegades: Born in the USA” Comics for a series of narrative pod- Yes, I just wanted to hear him and thinker, a rule-breaker, a mentor to so tars during the course of the podcast. to congratulate him, because Sacha is an unbeliev- many, such a lover of life and a humani- series title references one of Springs- casts, with the fi rst being “Batman In that fi rst episode, both men recalled teen’s biggest hits and could also be Unburied.” Director Ava DuVernay able actor, not only in “Borat,” but in everything tarian,” his family said in a statement feeling like outsiders growing up and that he’s been doing. And he’s probably the person obtained by the Hollywood Reporter. a sly reference to the “birther” cam- is participating in a new podcast about turning to their fi elds as a way of fi nd- paign where Obama’s eventual succes- high profi le cases of police brutality. to whom I’m going to be forever grateful. And I “Anyone who knew him felt his powerful ing their voices, with a little “mega- wanted to hear him before even my Mom. energy. He worked his whole life to have sor, Donald Trump, falsely suggested Spotify is also upgrading its sound, self-love and to teach all of us to love lomania” involved. In later episodes, Obama’s origins were outside of the announcing that it will debut Spotify AP: But, you talked to Mom, too? one another.” they talk about racism, fatherhood and country. HiFi later this year, where members Bakalova: I did! And she cried for a second. But His company’s website counts the marriage. Spotify said Monday it was working with Spotify-connected speakers can then she had this big smile because this is some- Beatles, Diana Ross, Elvis Presley and Their wives, Michelle Obama and with Higher Ground on another pod- sign up for enhanced quality music thing with the temperament of our people from the Farrah Fawcett as his earliest fans. Patti Scialfa, also bonded, sealing their cast, “Tell Them I Am,” which com- streams. Balkans … It’s like a huge mix of emotions, we Segal opened his fi rst shop in West can cry, we can jump, we can smile, we can love. Hollywood in 1961, where he sold denim jeans and fl annel and velvet ensembles, It’s everything in one. She’s super glad and happy Wedil David Dominique Huett ance companies and former Weinstein the Los Angeles Times reported. and , hostile work environment. and proud. who have accused Weinstein of sexual Attorneys for the objectors say the Co offi cers and directors. They also AP: The Hollywood Reporter said Segal’s argue that it contains a provision that It must feel strange to have this happen at ivy-covered location in West Hollywood assault, and a former Weinstein Co em- plan includes overly broad releases from such a dramatic time in the world. ployee who claims she was subjected to a liability for third parties such as insur- unfairly prevents non-consenting sexual became a celebrity hotspot over the years misconduct claimants from pursuing Bakalova: I think everything is happening and was featured prominently in the 1995 for a reason. And I’m happy that we have this their claims. classic teen comedy fi lm “Clueless.” The bankruptcy plan provides about really hard moment that is going to be hopefully “Lucy! Where’s my white collarless $35 million for creditors. That’s about soon history, the pandemic that we’ve all had to shirt from Fred Segal?” Alicia Silver- $11.5 million less than under a previous experience. Well, you have to live in these four stone’s Cher says. plan, which was scrapped after a federal white walls every single day for maybe almost The Hollywood Reporter said it was judge in New York refused to approve a a year. And we realize that we actually need not uncommon to see actress Cameron proposed $19 million settlement between Diaz or other major stars like Jennifer each other, we are emotional animals. And we Weinstein and some of his accusers. The Aniston perusing the shops at Fred Segal settlement in that purported class-action need to love, we need to be loved. We need to or dining at its restaurant. be around people. And I think that’s one of the lawsuit was a key component of the He is survived by his wife, fi ve chil- initial bankruptcy plan. messages that we try to show in the movie, how dren and two stepchildren. (AP) Roughly half of the approved settle- ❑ ❑ ❑ we should treat each other equally with love and ment, about $17 million, is allocated for respect ... So I can see a meaning behind why WILMINGTON, Del: Delaware judge a single sexual misconduct claims fund, this movie came in this moment in the world. presiding over the Weinstein Co bank- down from about $25.7 million allocated AP: Do you have a message for your home coun- ruptcy has rejected a request by four for three separate categories of sexual try? women who have accused disgraced misconduct claims under the previous Bakalova: I do and it is for my country, for fi lm mogul Harvey Weinstein of plan. your country. Is for every human being. Because sexual misconduct to put her approval Another $8.4 million goes to a liq- it should not matter where you’re coming from. of the company’s bankruptcy plan on uidation trust for resolving non-sexual It should matter who you are and what you stand hold. misconduct claims, and $9.7 million will be used to reimburse defense costs for, what you believe in. We’re here for such a The judge issued a one-page order denying the request for an emergency for former company offi cials other than small period of time and the world is going to stay while the women challenge approval Weinstein. The plan also releases those keep going. So we really should love each other. of the plan in federal district court in offi cials from liability for tort claims We should support each other. We should be Delaware. related to Weinstein’s conduct. careful with our actions, with our thoughts, with Attorneys for the four women re- Holders of sexual misconduct claims our words that we’re saying … And we should sponded by asking the district court to will receive 100% of the liquidated value really should try to be better people and love put the plan confi rmation on hold while it of their claims if they agree to release considers their appeal. This image released by BNC shows Mike Hill, (left), and Sharon Reed posing Harvey Weinstein from all legal claims. each other more. And dream big and take the with Black News Channel president & CEO Princell Hair. The Black News risk, we have nothing to lose. You might fall, of According to a bankruptcy court fi ling, A claimant who elects not to release the plan has been “substantially consum- Channel, nearly invisible upon its launch last year, is revamping to take on Weinstein but to retain the option to sue course … but if you jump, you might fly. So take mated”. a new look starting Monday. It is adding a four-hour morning show with Hill him in another court would receive 25% the risk! (Agencies) The plan is being challenged by pro- and Reed and will be emphasizing commentary and analytical news coverage of the value of her bankruptcy claim. ducer Alexandra Canosa and actresses moving forward. (AP) — Details on Page 12 (AP)