Three Turkish Actresses with Slavic Heritage Conquer Hearts

Turkish series are winning the hearts of millions of Russian fans. And if you thought you knew everything about your favorite Turkish actresses, we have a surprise — some of these beauties have Russian roots. Want to find out who hides such heritage and what curious secrets it brings? Read on — some facts will surely surprise you!

Alina Boz

Alina Boz is one of the most discussed stars of Turkish series. She was born in 1998 in the Moscow region, her mother is Russian, her father is a Turk with Bulgarian roots. When Alina was about seven years old, the family moved to Istanbul.

“I was born in a small village near Moscow. I had a wonderful childhood. My friends and I climbed trees, walked in the forest. I was like a boy,” the actress confessed to the publication Posta. “I am especially happy that I spent my childhood not in the city, but in the village. At seven, we moved to Turkey. When I arrived, I didn«t know Turkish at all.”

Alina learned the language quickly and at the same time began trying herself in the modeling business — advertising shoots became her debut in the industry. Her mother, photographer Olga Boz, literally showed Alina how the world of show business works and helped her take confident steps toward the screen.

“When we lived in Russia, I went to the theater with my grandfather. I was always interested in the backstage of the theater, and we always peeked behind the curtains,” the actress admitted. “My mother noticed this interest and enrolled me in a theater club. Then I registered with an agency, and through advertising and magazine shoots in 2013, I got my first role in the series Cesur Hemşire (‘Brave Nurse’).”

In film, Alina Boz began acting as a teenager. At first, these were small roles and projects for a children«s audience, but directors immediately noticed her expressive appearance and unusual sense of frame for her young age.

The fate of the girl with Russian-Turkish roots could have gone a completely different way: after school, she trained as a flight attendant in a private aviation college, but then entered the theater department of Istanbul«s Kadir Has University, where she finally decided to dedicate herself to the acting profession.

Russian viewers learned about Alina Boz after the series ‘Shattered’ (16+) (Paramparça), where Alina played a spoiled girl from a wealthy family — a complex, contradictory heroine. Then the young actress got to work on the same set with Halit Ergenç in the historical series ‘You Are My Homeland’ (16+) — she played Princess Anastasia Romanova there. Further, Alina«s career took off — her filmography included rating series like ‘Don»t Let Go of My Hand’ (18+), ‘The Marashan’ (18+), ‘Fairy Tale’ (16+), ‘Foundation: Orhan’ (16+), where she starred in leading roles.

Not everything went smoothly in Alina Boz«s career. She found herself at the center of a scandal around the series Doc: shortly before filming began, she was suddenly excluded from the main cast. While Alina was flying to Istanbul after a vacation, the decision had already been made, and she could only learn about it upon arrival. Her place was taken by actress Sıla Türkoğlu, known from the series ‘Cranberry Sherbet’ (16+).

According to one version, the decision was made by producers; according to another — creative differences and organizational problems played a role. Alina«s lawyers filed a lawsuit and won the case, and the actress herself donated the compensation received to the Darüssafaka charitable foundation, which cares for orphans.

The actress with Russian roots is considered very beautiful in Turkey thanks to her appearance, which is unusual for local women — green eyes, light hair, and porcelain skin. Although in her teenage years, Alina considered herself very shy.

“From 15 to 15 years old, I was very insecure. After 17, my confidence gradually returned,” the actress admitted. “I used to be very shy and timid. I don«t know how it happened, but I managed to cope somehow. Before, I couldn»t even order water over the phone — can you imagine? That«s how strong my insecurity was.”

Alina Boz is married to Umut Evirgen — a director, screenwriter, and owner of several popular Istanbul establishments. He followed the beautiful actress on social media, but at the time it didn«t develop into anything serious: Boz was in a long-term relationship with musician Mithat Can Özer.

After breaking up with him, Alina was seen in the company of Evirgen. He proposed in Paris, and the wedding took place in Istanbul — intimately, on a yacht. The photos instantly caused a stir on social media: fans discussed the bride«s minimalist look and the celebration»s restraint, unusual for Turkish show business.

Alina Boz respects her mixed heritage. She understands Russian and speaks Turkish fluently.

“I feel Turkish, it«s closer for me to live and think here. In terms of worldview, I»m closer to Russia and Europe, but in culture, music, books, and my surroundings — I«m completely Turkish,” the actress confesses.

Melisa Dongel

The actress, who captivates fans with her beauty, is half Russian — her mother Natalia Orlova married a Turk. Melisa was born in Istanbul and despite her Russian roots and Russian citizenship, she spent her childhood and youth in Turkey. The actress did not fully master the Russian language.

“Yes, there is Russian blood in my veins, because my mother is Russian, but at the same time, I am completely Turkish. I love my land and my people,” the actress said in numerous interviews.

Melisa«s attraction to the stage appeared at an early age. As a result, she received her acting education at the Academy of Arts Osman Yağmurdereli — one of Turkey»s leading educational institutions. Thanks to her talent and charisma, she quickly became a sought-after face on screens and attracted the attention of producers. She acted for a long time in the police series ‘Dangerous Streets’ (18+), and gained real popularity with Russian viewers thanks to her role in ‘Knock on My Door’ (18+).

Melisa Dongel tries to hide her personal life. Nevertheless, her relationships have repeatedly attracted media attention, which wrote about her relationships with rapper Sefo and a football coach.

In 2021, the actress publicly stated that she was subjected to sexual abuse by her father in her teenage years. In court, she described in detail what she experienced, including psychological pressure and physical injuries.

“At home, there were constantly arguments and screams. Over the most trivial things — for example, if the water was not in its place — he would come and beat us. Once he broke my arm just because I went to the park with friends,” the actress shocked the public.

According to her statement, her father was detained and as a result of the trial received 15 years in prison. Melisa emphasized that despite difficulties and distrust from loved ones, she decided to tell the whole truth to protect herself and her younger sister.

“My mother didn«t believe me. ‘Don»t call the police, otherwise they«ll take your father, and then it will get worse for you, you might be killed,’ she said. And then my mother and father in front of my eyes continued to behave as if nothing had happened,” Dongel recounted.

Neslihan Atagul

Turkish actress Neslihan Atagul was born in Istanbul: her mother is Belarusian, her father is of Circassian origin. From a young age, the girl dreamed of a career in film, and just two months after registering with an acting agency, she starred in her first commercial. In 2016, Neslihan became the face of the brand Pantene.

Later, Neslihan continued her education at the theater faculty of Yeditepe University, while acting in films and series. Real success with Russian viewers came to the actress after the release of the series ‘Black Love’ (18+), where she starred alongside Burak Özçivit and Kaan Urgancıoğlu.

Neslihan Atagul is married to Turkish actor Kadir Doğulu. The couple met on set, dated for almost three years, and then officially registered their relationship. Now the acting couple is raising a son.