Kristian Kostov EBBA 2018 Bulgaria Eurovision 2017

He’s the teen idol who brought Bulgaria its best ever Eurovision result last May. And on Sunday, Kristian Kostov was tasting success once more as he picked up an EBBA 2018 award.

Kristian’s victory brings to three the number of Eurovision acts to win gongs for 2018, an unprecedented feat in the European Border Breakers Awards’ 14 year history.

Organisers highlighted Kristian’s many talent show achievements, from Voice Kids to X Factor to Eurovision, branding him “one of the most popular up-and-coming artists in Bulgaria and Russia”. Praising his voice, they compare him to James Arthur, Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran.

The thrilled “Beautiful Mess” singer excitedly shared his victory with fans on social media.

“Ya boy just won an #award !??” he wrote in one Instagram post, “I’m so so proud to be a part of @ebba_awards , a lot of stuff to come :)”.

He elaborates in a second post, “I am still in awe. Can’t believe that I have won the “Border Breaker of the Year 2018″ award!”.

Kristian becomes the third Eurovision 2017 alum to scoop a 2018 EBBA.

Earlier this month, Belgium’s Blanche received one for her success with “City Lights”. Upon hearing the news, the rising star wrote:

I’m so so glad to be one of this year’s European Border Breakers Awards ! This is really one of the accomplishment that shows how successful the song has been, and that, is due to all of people that have support and keep supporting by listening, buying, sharing and singing the song ? It makes me even more excited to share all the rest with you !!
xx

On Tuesday, Eurovision 2017 champion and Portuguese representative Salvador Sobral was also unveiled as an EBBA victor. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Salvador wasn’t able to pick up the award in person. It was presented to his manager Ana Paulo in his absence.

The European Union backed awards honour emerging artists who have enjoyed success across Europe.

Past EBBA winners include internationally acclaimed acts such as Alan Walker, Dua Lipa, Era Istrefi, Álvaro Soler, Christine and The Queens, Robin Schulz, Natalie La Rose, Years & Years, Hozier, Indila, John Newman, Tove Lo, and Mø — to name just a few.

Eurovision 2005 victor Helena Paparizou snagged a gong in 2007, while Eurovision 2014 runners-up the Common Linnets took one in 2015. The Dutch outfit also went home with the Public Choice prize.

So far, four other winners have been announced for 2018. They are Alice Merton (Germany), Off Bloom (Denmark), Skott (Sweden), and Sigrid (Norway). Three more will be revealed between now and the award ceremony on 17 January 2018.

Kristian Kostov Interview at London Eurovision Party 2017

Follow all of our Bulgaria Eurovision 2018 news

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Benito Bonito
Benito Bonito
6 years ago

Why are you talking about Blanche’s song? It is plagiate after that Canadian singer, it’s so obvious, I’m sure Belgium did something to ”make everybody happy”, but you should have the decency to stay silent. Belgium needs low profile and enjoy what you have. Decency please!

Escphbelgium
Escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  Benito Bonito

There are millions of songs out there that sounded like City Lights. Get a grip!

L'oiseau
6 years ago

As I did for Blanche and Salvador, congrats to Kristian. Seems to have been a very good year for ESC 2017 after all…

sorin
sorin
6 years ago

Alexandra Stan has won this award too? Last time I’ve heard about her was when she was beaten by her boyfriend.
http://www.mediafax.ro/life-inedit/alexandra-stan-desfigurata-dupa-ce-ar-fi-fost-batuta-de-manager-foto-10977576

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Blanche’s song is still in my playlist alongside Frane, Italy and Cyprus.

She is a ver deserved winner of this awards. This guy is very cool, too, but the song left me indifferent TBH. So did Salvador.

Rhingo
Rhingo
6 years ago

Well his following is massive so it is not surprising 🙂

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

These awards are kinda useless, tbh.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

It’s just recognizing new and emerging artists. What do you expect awards to be?

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  James

nothing really useful.

YeOldeMusik
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Useless? Ask to Adele, Hozier, Kerli, Dua Lipa, Stromae, Disclosure, Years and Years, Dolores O’Riordan and many others

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  YeOldeMusik

They aren’t successful because of the awards they’d won.

Melissa
Melissa
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Can you place Kristian to Adel and Hozier regarding the quality of their music?! He can never reach their high level of singing and recordings.Kris can only dream about awards as Grammy which are really prestigious. These are kinda fabricated.Sobral won ESC deservedly but the guy from Ireland was more worthy to be second with his lovely voice, instead he didnt even get to reach the finals…..Ridiculous!

East Europe
East Europe
6 years ago
Reply to  Melissa

Yes I can place Kristian to Hozier. The second have a chance to grow in a rich western country with worldwide music labels, the first growed in Russia and Bulgaria. Who has more opportunity for a big carrier? But if we speak about talent, for me they are the same. Your opinion is ridiculous

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

I don’t like his current hairstyle, it looks weird on him. Besides that, the award is totally deserved. Congrats to him and to Salvador, too. But what about Blanche? What was her big merit? Her performance was so messy, she looked like a person about to go suicide or…one locked in the loony. I’m talking about her whole package: look, face expression, dress, not to mention her horrible live singing….

jim
jim
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

i think this award is given based on sales and radio airplay, they dont judge the live performances

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  jim

Kristian was already out of any country’s iTunes and Spotify top 200 ten days after the final, so it’s not just about the sales. He developed a strong fan base and managed to sing in Asia.

Escphbelgium
Escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

You need to shut the hell up about Blanche. She totally deserve the EBBA.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Blanche had the best-selling song of the Eurovision 2017 so she did break more borders than anyone.

Monia
Monia
6 years ago

Blanche’s song was indeed a good one (the studio version). Her live performance was dreadful, I expected her to have a nervous breakdown during the live broadcast as she was looking and acting like a wacko…

ESC 4ever
ESC 4ever
6 years ago
Reply to  Monia

Yet people voted for her 🙂 you can say what you want but ‘City Lights’ was too good for Eurovision.

YeOldeMusik
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

The EBBA is an award given to singers for sales, airplays and social media impact outside their origin countries, not necesserely for live performances

Benito Bonito
Benito Bonito
6 years ago

Ha Ha Ha, 2 countries have changed their minds, or not?
-Russia said will send Julia, but probably will NOT
-Bulgaria said will send Kristian again in 2018, if he will be in top 3 in 2017, and he was.
It seems that both countries have changed their minds.

Rhingo
Rhingo
6 years ago
Reply to  Benito Bonito

Both speculations
1. Russia has not confirmed anything so they is good chance they will actually send Julia.
2. Bulgaria has never said that they will send Kristian again and I honestly hope they wouldn’t.

Benito Bonito
Benito Bonito
6 years ago
Reply to  Rhingo
Rhingo
Rhingo
6 years ago
Reply to  Benito Bonito

kristian did not confirm that the promise made was for next ESC. He just went along with it and choose not to clarify ;D
Even more, is that what we call an official source? A little rumour that a reporter heard in the morning is hardly trustworthy.

bella
bella
6 years ago
Reply to  Rhingo

What rumour?

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Rhingo

…Although it’d be great if Kristian Kostov represented Bulgaria at Eurovision a second time. If, so, it’d be even better if Bulgaria won! 😀

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Oh my… is that really him? He looks like a K-pop singer with the blonde wig, totally different from his Eurovision look! 😮

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

He’s got a major pop-star vibe going on right now, I noticed it in his Miss World performance and it’s all over his Instagram page, crazy to see how much he’s changed in a matter of months.

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

He’s got a major pop-star vibe going on right now, I noticed it in his Miss World performance and it’s all over his Instagram page