Philipp Bedros Kirkorov (, ; ; born 30 April 1967) is a Bulgarian-born Russian singer. He began his career in 1985 after participating in the Soviet musical TV show "Wider Circle". Since 2000, he has maintained public interest in his person with a scandalous reputation and recording remakes of hits by international performers from Europe and the United States. In 1995, he represented at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Kolybelnaya dlya vulkana, and took 17th place.
During his creative career, he achieved success in Russia, Belarus and other countries of the former USSR, and was awarded many Russian music prizes, including ZD Awards and others. He is a five-time winner of the "Best Selling Russian Artist" title at the World Music Awards ceremonies.
Biography Early life and education Philipp Kirkorov was born on 30 April 1967 in Varna, Bulgaria. His father, Bedros Kirkorov, was a Bulgarian-born singer of Armenian origin.Филипп Киркоров: «Я наполовину являюсь армянином» . Day.az. Retrieved on 17 November 2016. He began traveling on tours with his parents at the age of five. During his childhood, he lived in Moscow. It is believed that his first stage appearance occurred at the age of five during his father's concert in Petrozavodsk Theater. His father performed the autobiographical song "Synok" ("Son"), dedicated to Soviet tank crews he met in 1944 in Varna. At the end of the song, Filipp walked onto the stage to give his father a carnation as the audience applauded.
He graduated from Moscow School No. 413 with a gold medal. After school, he attempted to enroll in a theater institute but failed the entrance exams.
In 1984, he entered the Gnessin State Musical College in the musical comedy department, graduating in 1988 with honors.
Early career In November 1985, Kirkorov made his television debut on the program Wider Circle with the song "Alyosha" in Bulgarian.
He was noticed by Svetlana Annapolskaya, the director of Goluboy Ogonyok, who invited him to participate in the program. After a dispute with the show's management, she successfully secured Kirkorov's involvement.
In 1987, he received an invitation to work with the Leningrad Music Hall under Ilya Rakhlin. This led to a foreign tour in Berlin's renowned Friedrichstadt-Palast Theater.
After leaving the Music Hall, Kirkorov met lyricist Ilya Reznik, who became one of his early supporters.
In April 1988, he met Alla Pugacheva at Ilya Reznik's art exhibit. By October 1988, she invited him to participate in her Christmas Meetings. By this time, Kirkorov had graduated from Gnesin College, competed in his first contest in Yalta, and filmed his first music video for the song "Carmen."
During preparations for Christmas Meetings, he collaborated with poet Leonid Derbenyov, who wrote many of his future hits, including "Ty, Ty, Ty" ("You, You, You"), "Nebo i Zemlya" ("Sky and Earth") and "Atlantida" ("Atlantis").
Career
In 1989, Kirkorov toured with Alla Pugacheva in Australia and Germany and held his first solo concert in Perm. That year, he reached the finals of the Pesnya Goda music festival.
In 1990, Kirkorov won the Grand Prix in the competition "Shlyager-90" (Hit-90) in Leningrad with the song "Nebo i Zemlya" (Sky and Earth). In 1992, his music video to the song "Atlantida" (Atlantis) was selected as "Music Video of the Year". His popularity began to spread outside of Russia and he toured in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Israel.
By 1994, his program "Ya ne Raphael" (I'm not Raphael) included hits by Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, and Frank Sinatra. Kirkorov represented Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 held in Dublin with the song "Kolybelnaya dlya vulkana" ('Lullaby for the volcano') and finished in 17th place.
At the end of 1995, the double CD Skazhi Solntsu:"Da" (Say "Yes!" to the Sun) was released under the Polygram label. The album's release coincided with the premiere of the program The Best, the Beloved, and Just for You at the State Variety Theatre, which then successfully toured across the country.
In 1996, he won the World Music Awards for best-selling Russian artist with over 2 million copies sold. By 1997, his world tour covered 100 cities, culminating in a month-long residency at the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall in St. Petersburg.
His 1998 album Oh, Mama, I'll give Chic (Oy, Mama, Shika Dam!) contains four cover versions of well-known Turkish songs originally sung by Tarkan, Mustafa Sandal and Sezen Aksu.
In 1999, Kirkorov joined Michael Jackson's MJ & Friends charity concert.
Starting in the 2000s, Kirkorov became increasingly involved in music production, managing and mentoring several Russian artists he personally discovered. He co-wrote the Belarusian entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, "Work Your Magic" for Dmitry Koldun, wrote the 2008 Ukrainian entry "Shady Lady", performed by Ani Lorak, and also co-composed Moldova's Eurovision entry for the contest, "Sugar", which was performed by Natalia Gordienko. He was also a judge in the second season of Music Idol in Bulgaria. Kirkorov makes a cameo in Verka Serduchka's video "Do Re Mi".
In 2017, after collaborating with rapper Timati, Kirkorov signed with the Black Star record label. In 2018, his song "The Color of Mood is Blue" became a viral hit, garnering over 40 million views on YouTube. That year, his duet with Nikolay Baskov on "Ibiza" also gained attention for its satirical music video. In September 2018, he collaborated with Egor Kreed to release "The Color of Mood is Black" ("Zvet Nastroenija Tschorny"), which became another viral hit, amassing over 100 million views on YouTube.
In November 2024, Kirkorov presented his music video/short film Black Panther.
Television projects From 2003 to 2016, Kirkorov hosted various ceremonies and television shows, including "Morning with Kirkorov" on STS, "Minuta Slavy" ("Minute of Fame"), "Factor A," and the "RU.TV 2016 Awards," among others.
Since 2006, he has frequently served as a judge on numerous programs, such as "KVN," "Dancing with the Stars," "Minute of Fame," "Star Factory," "New Wave," "Odin v Odin!" ("One to One!"), "Toch-v-Toch" ("Just Like"). Since 2020, Philipp Kirkorov has served as a judge on the Russian adaptation of the international hit reality show The Masked Singer, titled The Mask (Maska). The show, aired on NTV, features celebrities competing in elaborate costumes while concealing their identities.
In 2021, Kirkorov won the TEFI award for Best Entertainment Show Host for his work on The Mask. The show has continued to attract high ratings on Russian television, and Kirkorov has become closely associated with it.
In 2023, Kirkorov joined Emperor's Treasures (Sokrovishcha Imperatora) together with actor Wolfgang Cerny, a competitive reality show that combines adventure, history, and treasure hunting. Airing on TNT, the program involves celebrities exploring China's rich cultural and historical heritage while solving clues to uncover hidden treasures.
Film Philipp Kirkorov occasionally participates in musicals and film dubbing. For example, he provided the voice for the main character in the film The New Adventures of Aladdin (2015) and the parrot Kiki in Richard the Stork (2017).
Kirkorov has also made numerous cameo appearances in various TV series and films, including My Fair Nanny (2006), Flight Crew (2016), The Double (2013), Voronin's Family (2017), Naughty Grandma (2017) and Grand Hotel (2018).
In 2009, Kirkorov had his first significant film role in the Russian-Ukrainian romantic comedy Love in the Big City. In the film he played Saint Valentine. He reprised his role in the following two sequels Love in the Big City 2 and Love in the Big City 3. The films also starred Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Aleksey Chadov and Vera Brezhneva.
Personal life In 1994, he proposed to Alla Pugacheva and she accepted. On 13 January, the couple announced their engagement in Moscow. On 15 March, the marriage was registered in St. Petersburg by then-mayor Anatoly Sobchak. On 15 May, the wedding of Kirkorov and Pugacheva took place in Jerusalem.
Other than his native Bulgarian, he is fluent in Russian, and is proficient in Spanish and English.WorldBestBuy.com Signs a Partnership Agreement with Russian Mega-Star To Brand its Name in Eastern Europe and Asia Retrieved 28 May 2011.
In January 2023, Ukraine imposed sanctions on Kirkorov for his support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On 24 March 2024, Philipp Kirkorov left Russia for Baku, Azerbaijan, after an administrative case regarding tax evasion was opened against the artist, and the bank accounts of his companies were blocked.
Honours and awards
Orders Order of Honor (30 April 2017) - for great contribution to the development of national music art and many years of creative activity. Order of Francesc Skarina (Belarus, 18 May 2012) - For a significant personal contribution to the development and strengthening of Belarusian-Russian cultural ties, high performing skills.
Titles Order of Francysk Skaryna (18 May 2012) People's Artist of Russia Federation (12 February 2008) People's Artist of Ukraine (29 May 2008) Merited Artist of the Russian Federation (2001) People's Artist of Chechnya (2006) People's Artist of Ingushetia (2006) Honorary Citizen of Yalta (2010) Honored Art Activist of Autonomous Republic of Crimea (2000) Goodwill ambassador of United Nations (2000)
In November 2024, Kirkorov was revoked of the title of People's Artist of Ukraine, as part of a decree that stripped 34 people labelled as traitors to Ukraine.
Medals Medal "10 years of Astana" (Kazakhstan, 2008)
Public awards Record holder of the Russian Book of Records (2017)
! colspan="3" style="background: cyan;" | World Music Awards
! colspan="3" style="background: cyan;" | World Music Awards
! colspan="3" style="background: cyan;" | World Music Awards
Discography
Albums Studio albums 1990: Philipp 1990: Sinbat-Morehod 1991: Nebo I Zemlya 1991: Ti, Ti, Ti 1992: Takoi Sakoi 1994: Ya Ne Raphael 1995: Primadonna 1995: Ckazi Solncu – "Da" 1998: Edinstvenaya 1998: Oi, Mama Shika Dam 2000: Chelofilia 2001: Magico Amor 2002: Vlubloniy I Bezumno Odinokiy 2003: Neznakomka 2007: For You 2011: Drugoy – 2 Edition 2015: Illyuziya 2016: Ya 2020: Romany 2026: UNO
Live 2001: Vchera, Segodnya, Zavtra... (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow... ) Compilation 2003: Luchshie Pesni (The Best Songs) 2004: Dueti (Duets)
Singles 1999: Mish` 2000: Ogon` I Voda 2000: Kilimandzaro 2001: Diva 2001: Ti Poverish`? 2001: Ya Za Tebya Umru 2001: Maria 2002: Zesrokaya Lubov` 2004: Sam P..A?! Ili Kirkorov MAZZDie!!! 2005: Kak Sumashedshiy Ya (duet with Sakis Rouvas) 2009: Zara
Eurovision covers Philipp Kirkorov has covered a few songs which appeared in the Eurovision Song Contest and its national finals, as well as entering a song in his own right. Songs include:
"Dreamin'" (Ireland 1995 entry) (English and Russian) "(I Would) Die for You" (Greece 2001 entry) (English and Russian as "Ya za tebya umru") "Diva" (Israel 1998 entry) (English, Hebrew, Spanish and Russian) "Go" (United Kingdom 1988 entry) (Russian as "Lish by ty vsegda byla moej") "Maria Magdalena" (Croatia 1999 entry) (Russian) "Hero" – Charlotte Perrelli (2008 Swedish entry) (Russian as "Novyj geroj") "La voix" – Malena Ernman (2009 Swedish entry) (Russian as "Golos", English and French) (with Anna Netrebko) "Let's get wild" – Helena Paparizou (2005 Greek National Final) (Russian as "Kaif") "Carnaval" – DJ Mendez (2002 Swedish National Final) (Russian) "Let your spirit fly" – Jan Johansson & Pernilla Wahlgren (2003 Swedish National Final) (Russian as "Vljublennaja dusha") (with Anastasia Stotskaya) "Cara Mia" – Måns Zelmerlöw (2007 Swedish National Final) (Russian as "Koroleva") "Playing with Fire" – Paula and Ovi (Romania 2010 entry) (Russian as "Igra s ognem") "Hope & Glory" – Måns Zelmerlöw (2009 Swedish National Final) (Russian as "Tyi vsyo uvidish sam")
Videos