Love and admiration know no political boundaries. And, when it comes to Eurovision 2017, Russian popstar Dima Bilan is making no secret of his admiration for Bulgaria’s Kristian Kostov.
Speaking to the Russian website mr.ru, the Eurovision 2008 winner gushed profusely over Kristian’s “Beautiful Mess”:
It’s a stunner of a song, and the video clip is just surreal! It’s very modern – music, video, pitch – everything. Young people, black and white tones. Everything is done with so much style!
The “Believe” hitmaker is well used to heaping praise on the young singer having mentored him on The Voice Kids Russia.
He continues by elaborating on what makes Kristian such a special performer, and explaining why he could be a force to be reckoned with on the final scoreboard.
The most important thing is whether the performer can attract people and bring on the magic. There is magic in this boy. He looks like a knight of dark forces. He is fascinating and communicates unusually. It’s interesting how he will present himself on the Eurovision’s stage. For me Kristian has great chances, especially taking into an account that Bulgaria is in an untypical role of a favourite. It should mean something.”
The wide-ranging interview also touches on Dima’s own Eurovision experience — when he brought Russia its first ever win at the contest — as well as his time coaching on The Voice.
And Dima isn’t the only former Eurovision winner to big up the Bulgarian’s chaces. Ukrainian Eurovision 2004 victor Ruslana has also taken a liking to “Beautiful Mess”, naming it as one of her favourites.
Currently second in the overall odds to win this year’s contest behind runaway favourite Italy — Kristian Kostov’s “Beautiful Mess” speaks to a love that cannot be matched nor beaten.
It remains to be seen whether Dima’s belief in his pop protegee translates to actual votes. We will need to wait until the second semi final on Thursday May 11th to find out.
- The Beautiful Mess t-shirt
- Bulgaria: Kristian Kostov phone
- Bulgaria: Kristian Kostov shirt
Buy the “Beautiful Mess” t-shirt, Bulgaria cartoon phone cover, or Kristian Kostov cartoon t-shirt
What do you think? Does Dima Bilan’s ringing endorsement spell success for Bulgaria’s Kristian Kostov at Eurovision 2017? Let us know in the comments below.
Very weak and very favored participant. Not fair to other participants. But fortunately despite this big favor, Salvador won Eurovision, he was not favored and won.
If you don’t want to dance to the “mantra of Westerners Carma” how about sing Beautiful Mess and “Celebrate Diversity” 🙂 Sofia 2018!!!!!
“Occidentali’s karma”
Western karma about parody?
Ironically and proudly!
Then let the eastern blog unite and make the winner Cristian.
Don’t hate, just relax, why do you divide the songs, singers of western and eastern blocks ?! There are no limits for the good song, no bets … there are so many good songs right now, just enjoy beautiful songs!
Apparently there’s more Eurodrama on Twitter, now with Jowst x Kristian.
What is Twitter saying?
Jowst tweeted something comparing Kristian’s music video with “Iron by Wookid”. The Bulgarian delegation replied him and he deleted the tweet. But now there’s a dramatic landslide of tweets there.
Joe, the Iron by Woodkid has been recycled again and again by haters. Even if the video has some similarities in the cinematographic approach Iron, ESC is a song contest and the staging and not the video matters. I would go a step further and say that almost every video/song/book etc. builds upon others. I also have to point out that since you are Italian and have been passionately supporting Francesco, it is probably a good idea to stop spreading rumors and implying drama with the Bulgarian entry. I do not know if and what Jowst posted on Twitter, but… Read more »
* The Wanted — Chasing the Sun. The similarity with Occidentali’s is particularly in the refrain.
What are you talking about? Who said that was Jowst, not me. I didn’d even watched the “Iron” video. If you think it’s a lie, then you should check out Jowst profile on Twitter, or even better, the Bulgarian broadcasters profile. Jowst ofc deleted the tweet, but there are several others related there.
I don’t know in which part of the comment I’m saying something bad about Bulgaria…
And what does Italy has to do with it?
The only one bashing a country here was you.
There are always rumors about similarity of this and that and what I noticed – all depends on what people are familiar with. For example I can see similarity between Moldova and Sweden in the part with the feet dancing :))) Even musically this parts are similar! And what’s more… I’ve read many comments comparing Kristian visually with other young singers – Spanish, American, Australian, Chinese, Korean, Russian… and because I’m classical music fan.. I personally found great similarity in the best way (not visually but as deeper characteristics, path, family background and the ability to bring together diverse things… Read more »
By the way, I found an wow photo of Borislove Milanov where he looks like Gerard Butler in 300 :)))) http://www.entmedia.net/eurovision/BorisloveMilanov.jpg
What would you say – did he steal his face 😉 hehehe
Rusian (or former USSR) imparcialty has no limts
LOL. Taking into account that both countries share the same culture, the substance of this article is nule. Nothing compared to the worldwide spread of love that Portugal is receiving (ex: Alexander Rybak).
‘Beautiful Mess’ would be a great label for the crises leading up to the Contest this year, and for politics in 2017 generally.
It’s an inoffensive, well-polished song and Kristian sings very well and has a good team behind him — but it’s not my favourite to win, and it hasn’t got an inspirational message like ESC winners usually do. The ESC winner should be bold not bland.
I feel uplifted by the fact that within a week, a Ukrainian and a Russian ESC winner expressed support for the same entry. We do not see a lot of examples of agreement between these two countries. Music should be above politics, but sadly, most of the times it isn’t.
I wanna believe that we can actually experience ESC Sofia 2018 but don’t quite know how BNT will pull this off with their budget restraints. But then again, I didn’t really believe Ukraine can pull if off and they seem to be doing fine.
I do hope that 2017 repeats itself though in terms of predictions. Ukraine was never voted #1 by the bookies and always dragged behind Russia. Sergey was the favorite with a very confident vote by everyone, but Jamala stole it in the end. Maybe Kristian can garner enough support to do the same.
BNT can pull a great show. Watch the Junior Eurovision Contest 2015. The government can support them like they did back then. Also the private tv channels like bTV and NOVA, also private investors can support the hosting in terms of a great show.
Even though I like Bulgaria entry I don’t see it winning it’s not winning song both in terms of music and lyrics it doesn’t wake you up to convince for victory, Italy will leave bulgaria behind I wouldn’t be shocked even romania pass bulgaria, I do feel azerbaijan can easily fly higher than bulgaria, but we will see how Europe is going to vote oh well good luck to all of contestants
it sounds like Dima is attracted to kristian saying things like it’s interesting to see how will present himself on stage lol, ruslana already said that this cute guy from bulgaria said he is in love with her, dima and ruslana might fight eachother over christian lol…would dima praise Christian if Christian was to compete with this song in 2008 same year dima won esc? No I don’t think so another lol, last year marija serifovic had crush on azerbaijan representative and said go on stage sing your song we will vote for you even though azerbaijan entry wasn’t anything… Read more »
I think Bulgaria is really throwing so much money and efforts and it’s clear that they want to win it. It’s the only country that shows consistent effort in chasing Italy. The rest seem that they have accepted Francesco’s win.
So apparently Dima hasn’t visited Crimea recently?
I wish Bulgaria wil win, cant stop listing to there beautiful song.
I hope at least the backing vocals are from Bulgaria, but I don’t think they will be.
Celebrate Diversity, honeeeeyyyyy ;))))))))
90% Sweden and the rest is Russian, that’s not celebrate diversity.
Shame because it was my #2. I was hoping at least the stage director would bring some Bulgarian to it.
But don’t get me wrong, it just my opinion. I prefer something more original and cultural related to the country.
I actually love the cultural exchange and some of my favorite entries are a product of it. As an American living in Southern California I see this all the time in Hollywood and with music production. In my opinion, Europe has to loosen up and mix it up. I can hear the ethnic sound in Beautiful mess, and Kristian apparently speaks fluent Bulgarian, judging from what is uploaded on the internet. Also Milanov who is the first name on the composer list is Bulgarian.
Well, if mix it up really means mix it up and not flattening it down I’m with you.
I really like to see uniqueness and cultural diversity in Esc, I want to listen to what other countries are actually listening, I want them to showcase thir music, not what a swedish producer wrote and adapt to be right for that country just adding some “ethnic” sounds. 🙂
And that’s was not a critique to Bulgaria but in general, I quite like Kristian and this song.
I seriously don’t get when people say his song isn’t ethnic enough. The main instrument that gives the song the ethnic touch is a Bulgarian instrument called Gadulka. It’s a very normal instrument in the Balkan region and the song is just as ethnic (if not more) as Poli’s. In the music video, there’s a glimpse of a Kuker, which is known in Bulgarian culture as a man that performs traditional rituals intended to scare away evil spirits
With this comment you sounds me like @heppolo under Kristian’s videos. 90% bla-bla… just nonsense… BorisLove Milanov is the main person behind the project and most importantly the song is written for Kristian exactly, who himself truly embodies as a performer the message of the song… Just magical… And I’ll quote another part about Kristian of Bilan’s interview, which is very interesting: “He was very different. Completely out of the traditional line when it comes to children. He is entirely original and has a captivating voice. A very touching texture – just incredible! In fact, I want to tell an… Read more »
Enthusiast–I love your enthusiasm. A lot of interesting details in that quote from Dima Bilan. I read between the lines also Voice Kids Russia politics (Dima forcing on Kristian Ukrainian song, as Dima himself was forced to force it, as singing an Ukrainian song would have automatically resulted in loss of votes for a contestant). I think this is another instance when political games came back to haunt Russia as Kristian was given full support in Bulgaria. The voice kids Russia has long had the reputation of widely fixed show when it comes to the final and this is openly… Read more »
Allie,
Hmm, interesting connections… though for me the important thing is this boy to do well as an artist and to remain untouchable for any people’s harm, pls pls pls ? By the way I find it interesting that he has unreleased song from One Direction”s musician and it’s called Untouchable! :))) And is recorded in London two years ago as he said… I’m waiting to be released finallllyyyy…
Yes, I remember that interview. I am guessing this had to do with his audition for X factor Bulgaria. He was only 15 and had to be given a special permission to compete. As part of the judge houses, he sang again If I ain’t got you by Alicia Keys with a guest judge Vasco Vassilev, another Bulgarian prodigy, and violin performer educated in Moscow conservatory and Concertmaster for Royal Opera House and professor at the Royal College of Music and Trinity College. I do not understand everything that he said in his comments, but he called Kristian finished product.… Read more »
Tell me about it! Gosh, I’m so sick of that heppolo-dude and purple kitty. If they hate Kristian that much, why do they have to leave comments under every video that has something with him to do? A lot of the Italy-fanwankers are also downvoting videos of Kristian because they feel so threatened that he will outdo Mario and his naked ape. Russia tried that with Jamala last year and it didn’t work. People will vote what they find entertaining and leaving those hateful comments will not change anyone’s opinion -but can actually make them want to make the entry… Read more »
Wow, apparently this thread went too far.
I don’t hate Kristian, neither the song. I said it was my #2, it is still in my Top 10. But now is falling because I feel that something is missing.
If it makes you happy, lots of people are disliking Italy’s video as well, but I think that kind of attitude is stupid.
Sisters are doing it for themselves !
Hmm, interesting connections… though for me the important thing is this boy to do well as an artist and to remain untouchable for any people’s harm, pls pls pls 🙂 By the way I find it interesting that he has unreleased song from One Direction”s musician and it’s called Untouchable! :))) And is recorded in London two years ago as he said… I’m waiting to be released finallllyyyy…
* Oupppsss, my comment was meant as a reply to a post above… Sorry…
Sofia 2018 <3
I think there’s a chance for Bulgaria to break through to the top stop past the entries which are more divisive and might suffer from language barriers (Italy, Portugal). It would be a boring winner tbh but I think Kristian could score highly enough with both juries and televoters to pull a Jamala.
Russian impartiality at its finest 😉
I don’t think there is a need for Dima Bilan to be impartial… he’s backing his former protégé and he has every right to do so.