Another scene that has made headlines around the world sees Bakalova pose as a naive and flirtatious young reporter in an interview with vocal Trump ally Rudy Giuliani: the encounter is cut off as Giuliani is seen fumbling in his trousers (he later claimed he was tucking in his shirt).

Trump – somewhat ironically – branded Sacha Cohen “a creep” for the hoax, and the comedian responded in kind: but it was Bakalova who was really instrumental in making it happen (she also noted that, despite the risks, she felt safe during the scene with Cohen and the production team in her corner).

Why everyone’s talking about Maria Bakalova, the “fearless” star of Borat