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).
Congratulations to @KristianKostov_ , the winner of the Public Choice Award at the European Border Breakers Awards in Groningen. #EBBA18 #ESNS18 https://t.co/msCWgXA6l8 pic.twitter.com/eCF9KiRoRT
— Music Moves Europe Talent Awards (@MME_Awards) January 17, 2018
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
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??— Kristian Kostov (@KristianKostov_) January 17, 2018
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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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.
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 🙂
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!
Kirkorov is Bulgarian born in my home city of Varna , Bulgaria, just to clarify that….
Take him back! 😀
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!
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 »
His hairstyle looks more and more like Trump’s.
??? bhuhuhahahaha his next win will have to be for his hairstyle!
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.
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?
Wow. Karma. What you put out there comes back. Remember your post when you yourself “are touring hospitals”
I’m already touring hospitals, but unlike some Salvador fans, I’m not expecting awards for it.
Your opinion sounds like a teen borderline psychopath, not everyone tours the psyche ward in hospitals.
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.
He just has young female fans which spammed the vote. Too bad he doesn’t have the hits and relevance.
Try harder, George.
Russian choice award
Russians are People, too. And they can vote for whoever they like.