Kristian Kostove European Border Breakers Award

He’s the teen idol who finished runner-up to Salvador Sobral at Eurovision 2017. But on Wednesday evening, Bulgaria’s Kristian Kostov flipped the table as he beat out the Portuguese crooner to nab the much-coveted Public Choice Award at the European Border Breakers Awards (EBBAs).

The 17-year-old picked up the prize, along with the EBBA gong he won before Christmas, at a glitzy ceremony in the Dutch city of Groningen. The event formed part of the Eurosonic Noorderslag festival and was hosted by British TV and music personality Jools Holland.

As the name suggests, the Public Choice Award was determined by fans. They cast their votes via the EBBA online portal, with “an overwhelming number” going Kristian’s way. He succeeds last year’s winner Dua Lipa. Dutch Eurovision 2014 group The Common Linnets previously won the award in 2015.

Afterwards, the “Beautiful Mess” singer shared his gratitude on Twitter, writing:

Still cannot believe that we’ve won!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you!
What a family
I will always be working for you, guys
You deserve everything
Love you from the bottom of my heart

In total, three Eurovision artists received trophies at last night’s show — Kristian, Salvador Sobral, and Belgium’s Blanche. However, Salvador didn’t attend due to health reasons.

The seven other winners were Alice Merton (Germany), Off Bloom (Denmark), Skott (Sweden), Sigrid (Norway), Alma (Finland), The Blaze (France), and Youngr (UK).

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.

Kristian Kostov interview in Amsterdam

 

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Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

I wish Kris every success. He has an incredibly emotive voice, and when I saw him in London his presence gave me Michael Jackson-esque vibes. It’s only the very beginning for him, so best of luck.

DarkpassionPlay
DarkpassionPlay
6 years ago

as a Bulgarian im happy that he won 2nd place for us , i dont like his style or music , alot of people here only listen to chalga , thats the main thing you can hear in Serbia and Bulgaria and noone really cares about eurovision 🙂

Missy
Missy
6 years ago

Purple mask, you said you have seen him in London……If you lve in England, have you ever seen live or listened to the voice of yours /UK / Ronan Parke- runner up of BGT 2011?? If you ever seen and watched him, you would never ever think about Kostov anymore! Slaying voice, splendid look, well mannered guy. And most importantly – a honest one unlike fake Kristian!

DarkpassionPlay
DarkpassionPlay
6 years ago

Kirkorov is Bulgarian born in my home city of Varna , Bulgaria, just to clarify that….

Akira
Akira
6 years ago

Take him back! 😀

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago

Wow! Lots of salty individuals commenting here.

The boy is starting his career and he already has two EBBAs by his side, a huge loving fanbase and a style that appear for both its commerciality and depth. How many of you have achieved that, or ever will achieve anything close to that? NEVER!

Maria_music_lover
Maria_music_lover
6 years ago

Dear Doubters, maybe you should go and find out for yourself why Kristian has such a loving, caring and suportive fandom spread across the whole world (not only teenagers)? Why his fans feel like his second family. Why they treat him as a family member and not as a marketing product. Why they create art for him. Maybe it would be worth to take a closer look at this boy? Get to know him better before jumpig into conclusions. I can personally assure you that Kris is too ambitious to be anyone’s copy. He’s still very young, so please give… Read more »

Cody
Cody
6 years ago

His hairstyle looks more and more like Trump’s.

WINNER WINNER Chicken dinner
WINNER WINNER Chicken dinner
6 years ago
Reply to  Cody

??? bhuhuhahahaha his next win will have to be for his hairstyle!

Mandy
Mandy
6 years ago

Kristian must thank to his #TeamKris for this award. I’m not against him, but I have to agree with Polegend: what kind of thing did he give to Europe? Just a ESC runner-up with a song which charted in a few countries. It was better people choosing Salvador instead of that Bieber-wannabe.

Enchanted Lobster
Enchanted Lobster
6 years ago
Reply to  Mandy

After ESC 2017, that Bieber-wannabe made 3 decent songs in 3 European languages, which is a definition for Breaking Borders. Meanwhile Salvador was touring hospitals, hoping for yet another sympathy vote?

Jake
Jake
6 years ago

Wow. Karma. What you put out there comes back. Remember your post when you yourself “are touring hospitals”

Enchanted Lobster
Enchanted Lobster
6 years ago
Reply to  Jake

I’m already touring hospitals, but unlike some Salvador fans, I’m not expecting awards for it.

WINNER WINNER Chicken dinner
WINNER WINNER Chicken dinner
6 years ago

Your opinion sounds like a teen borderline psychopath, not everyone tours the psyche ward in hospitals.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

No shade but Dua had multiple hits and an international tour behind her when she won the award, while he just has a 2nd place at Eurovision and zero hits… but Europe didn’t really produce any successful artists at Dua’s level last year so I guess standards were lower.

Talentina Monetta
Talentina Monetta
6 years ago

He just has young female fans which spammed the vote. Too bad he doesn’t have the hits and relevance.

Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Try harder, George.

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago

Russian choice award

Enchanted Lobster
Enchanted Lobster
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Russians are People, too. And they can vote for whoever they like.