Now’s the time for Neslihan Atagül Doğulu, the talented Turkish actress we met a few years ago in the hit ‘Kara Sevda’ (Eternal Love), who at 29 has become an on screen icon. That is why we share the story of this incredible artist in this latest edition of our digital cover. Atagül plays the lead role in ‘La hija del embajador’ (The Ambassador’s Daughter), a passionate drama that has all the ingredients of an intriguing story combined with a top notch production and cast, shot in astonishing locations serving along the Aegean Sea. The series premieres this Tuesday, March 2nd at 10p/9c on Univision.
In this new story, Neslihan plays Nara, a beautiful woman who has fallen in love with Sancar, the son of a humble carpenter. Recorded in the midst of beautiful Turkish landscapes, we will witness the first season of a show that has captivated audiences in Turkey - it received the best series award at the famous Izmir film festival.
Aware of the show’s acquired popularity, HOLA! USA had the pleasure of speaking with Neslihan in which she tells us about herself, including her start as an actress, the message she has for all her followers around the world and much more.
From the United States to the Middle East and from Latin America to Africa, Neslihan’s talent has crossed borders as she has strongly contributed to highly successful Turkish dramas in recent years. Her career in the entertainment industry began at an early age and since then she has become one of the most popular emerging actresses. Her voice also represents a global open door that not only promotes the power of women, but legitimizes them through art.
Who is Neslihan Atagül Doğulu? Tell us a little bit about yourself. Walk us through how you began acting.
Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: I actually decided to be an actress when I was 8 years old. One day, while me and my dad were watching a movie on TV, I told him that I will be an actress, he caressed my hair and said, “you may my daughter.” But then I got really obsessed with this idea. When I was 13, I felt that I am late in life, I don’t know why I felt this way but somehow, I did… I’d heard the name of an artist’s agency once. I searched the agency’s details from the ‘Unknown Numbers Service’ and called them. I asked them how I can register to be part of their agency and how I can be an actress, and got all the information I needed. Then I went to my mom and said “Mom, I will be an actress. Please take me to this agency.” My mom always believes in me and she is a great supporter. She took me to the agency and after that, my career has actually come to this point today. What kind of person am I? I am a determined person. It is a bit difficult to talk about yourself though…I am a determined person. I always do my very best to go after the things that I believe in. I am not result-oriented. In general, I am process-oriented because success for me is the effort you’ve made towards a goal. That’s it…
Babydoll Dress : Dice Kayek Lace Body & Body Suit : Wolford Earrings : Ninon Over the knee boots : Editor’s own
How do you define yourself?
NAD: I find it a bit difficult for a person to define and explain about oneself. However, if I have to do it in anyway; I am someone who always goes after the things that I believe in, tries to bring the things that I feel or anticipate into life, knows that there is always hope out there and sees how valuable the effort is…
Dress : Museum Of Fine Clothing Lace Body: Wolford Earrings & Cuff: Ninon Over the knee boots : Editor’s own
Your work as an actress has already gained international recognition (films, TV…) How are you handling your rapid and monumental international success?
NAD: When the Turkish series started to reach global audiences at the very beginning, I actually felt this and wondered how it would be. Apparently, all the people in the world, we all feel the same emotions at some point. And this really makes me happy. Because ‘emotion’ doesn’t have a language, religion, race or color. I knew this anyway but it’s wonderful to see it and feel the same as everyone else. I don’t see this as only my success. This is also my country’s success…and the success of all of our audience around the world.
Dress : Museum Of Fine Clothing Lace Body: Wolford Earrings & Cuff: Ninon Over the knee boots : Editor’s own
How do you handle fame? What has been the biggest challenge you have had to face in your life?
NAD: When I first started acting, I knew deep down and accepted that “If you appear on TV for a while, people will notice you outside.” So, my current situation doesn’t force me at all. My goals are to be a good actress, always improve myself and be a good person. ‘Fame’ cannot force me when this is what I aim for. So I am being “me” again.
You are married to Kadir Doğulu who is also a famous actor. You two met on the set of the TV series, Fatih Harbiye (‘In Between’). I’m sure it’s fun to be married to someone that shares the same passion. Would you mind sharing a little bit about your relationship?
NAD: We are both lovers and friends but here I’d like to talk a bit more about being ‘friends.’ We both rely on the same things and I think this is something really precious. We do sometimes talk via words, sometimes get along in silence. We respect each other’s spaces. We do also care about each other’s improvements while giving importance to our self-improvements. We see, hear and know each other, and most of all, we know and accept that we are both human beings.
Jacket : Balenciaga Boutique / Zorlu İstanbul Lace Body : Wolford Earrings: Ninon Over the knee boots : Editor’s own
Your next big project is set to premiere in prime time on Univision. Congratulations! This is a big deal. How do you feel about your new project, ‘La Hija del Embajador’? Do you have anything in particular that you’d like to share about the new show?
NAD: That’s great news! I’m looking forward to it. It is a project which I started with quite big excitement. I worked very hard and devotedly, and I am happy about this. While I was playing ‘Nare,’ I felt her in every cell of mine, I lived her each time. In my opinion, the audience will watch an excellent woman story, a mother and child story, a great love story. I’m already excited.
Shirt : Balenciaga Boutique / Zorlu İstanbul Skirt : Museum of Fine Clothing Hat: Gucci Earrings: Ninon Brooch & Over the knee boots : Editor’s own
Are you ready to conquer the Latin American audiences once again? They are going to love you!
NAD: You are so kind, thank you very much. This really excites me, to be in front of you right now also excites me so much. As our country’s geographical position, we are in the middle of east and west. We appeal to both the east and west, and I think this is something so valuable. When you you watch me, when you see me, when you look into my eyes via that dream machine, TV; if you feel my essence, if you feel what I feel, this is a great gift for me. I hope we can meet face to face with you all very soon... Thank you so much, I love you so much.
Tell us about the psychology of your character in The Ambassador’s Daughter.
NAD: ‘Nare’ is a very strong female character who has belonging issues, has lived almost all around the world, speaks many different languages, is loving, has devoted all her life to her little daughter, fell in love with only one man in her life, grew up with lack of paternal love when her father was alive, knows crisis management, and stands on her own feet despite everything she goes through.
Shirt : Balenciaga Boutique / Zorlu İstanbul Skirt : Museum of Fine Clothing Hat: Gucci Earrings: Ninon Brooch & Over the knee boots : Editor’s own
What traits of your personality do you share in real life with your character?
NAD: ‘Nare’ and ‘Neslihan’ both go after whatever is ideal for themselves and both don’t like judgement
Which Latina actresses do you admire the most?
NAD: They are all very beautiful and talented! I am afraid of being unfair to the others if I mention a specific name. I really like Latino people.
Shirt : Balenciaga Boutique / Zorlu İstanbul Skirt : Museum of Fine Clothing Hat: Gucci Earrings: Ninon Brooch & Over the knee boots : Editor’s own
You published an online magazine called ‘Hadsiz.’ How did you come up with this idea? What is it about?
NAD: I sometimes feel that I overflow and I am limited… and I don’t like this. I also wonder why I feel like this way. I felt the same things during the pandemic. These drawn lines bothered me obviously. And then I said; if there were no boundaries from heart to heart, no boundaries between the cities, no boundaries between the countries, and no boundaries at information sharing…On the other hand, as human beings, we always wondered about our limits and tend to transcend them. We wonder about our limits, we went to space from earth. So, what are these borders and what is the effort it takes to cross them? A bee buys honey from all over the world with no limitations at all. “Had” means ‘border/limit/boundary’ and “hadsiz” means ‘confrontationist.’ We come together and chat with people who are beyond their limitations, wonder about their limits and the people whom we can call ‘limitless.’ Just for inspiration, for being a light…Magazine consists of two titles: Today’s Confrontationist & A Confrontationist Amongst All. At ‘A Confrontationist Amongst All,’ we are talking about the people who have shed light on our way in their time. Our whole team almost worked as volunteers and we really care about consensus. We publish it both Turkish and English.
Is there anything you’d like for the HOLA! USA audience to know that you haven’t already shared?
NAD: Thank you so much for hosting me. I really enjoyed it. I hope you also liked it. Hope to see you soon face to face. With lots of love and hopes to be in unity…
Neslihan Atagül Doğulu Photoshoot Credits
Styling : Burak Sanuk Photographer: Mert Akdeniz Hair & Make-Up : Önder Tiryaki Video: Umut Yangal Thanks : Merve Fatma, Gözde Keleş, Zeynep Dombaycıoğlu, Oğuz Kandemir, Seda Altuner, Onur YAKICI Venue : Ciragan Palace Kempinski, İstanbul, Turkey
