Philipp Kirkorov

Philipp Kirkorov
Филипп Киркоров
Kirkorov in 2015
Born	Filip Bedrosov Kirkorov (1967-04-30) 30 April 1967 (age 54) Varna, PR Bulgaria
Nationality	Bulgarian, Armenian
Citizenship	Russia
Occupation	Singer, Producer,
Years active	1985–present
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Title	People's Artist of Russia (2008) People's Artist of Ukraine (2008) (2018)[1]
Spouse(s)	Alla Pugacheva ​ ​ (m. 1994; div. 2005)​
Children	2[2][3]
Parent(s)	Bedros Kirkorov (b. 1932) Victoria Likhacheva (1937—1994)[4]
Awards	Order of Honour (Russia,2017) Order of Francysk Skaryna (Belarus,2012) World Music Awards (1996,1999,2004,2005,2008)
Website	www.kirkorov.ru
Signature

Philipp Bedros^[5][6][7] Kirkorov PAR (Russian: Филипп Бедрос Киркоров; Bulgarian: Филип Бедросов Киркоров, romanized: Filip Bedrosov Kirkorov; born 30 April 1967) is a Bulgarian-born Russian pop singer. He is a five-time winner of the "Best Selling Russian Artist" title at the World Music Awards ceremonies.

Biography[]

Philipp Kirkorov was born on 30 April 1967 in Varna, Bulgaria. His father, Bedros Kirkorov, is a Bulgarian-born singer of Armenian descent.^[8][9] In 1984, he entered the Gnessin State Music School, graduating with honors in 1988. His musical style is mainstream Russian pop music with various Western influences and, like many Russian pop stars of the 1990s and 2000s, he frequently collaborates and records duets with other Russian pop artists. His mother, Victoria Markovna Kirkorovа, (née Likhachevа) is of Russian, French and Romani descent.

In 1988, Kirkorov met Russian singer Alla Pugacheva for the first time. She invited him to take part in her New Year's concert show. The following year, Kirkorov toured and performed with Pugacheva in Australia and Germany. He was also a finalist in the Russian national "Song of the Year" competition.

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" 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.

In 1993, he won the Russian Ovation award for "Best Singer of the Year" and also scored a win at the Bulgarian international singing competition Golden Orpheus. The following year, he unveiled his new solo concert program, titled "Ya ne Rafael" (I am not Raphael), which included cover songs by Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka and Elvis Presley. He also recorded "Ya podnimayu svoy bokal" (I raise my glass), which he said was a love letter to Alla Pugacheva.

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. 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. 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 2021 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".Other than his native Bulgarian, he is fluent in Russian, and is proficient in Spanish and English.^[10]

He became a father in 2012. His daughter, Alla-Victoria Filippovna Kirkorova, was born in Miami. He decided to call her Alla-Victoria after Alla Pugacheva and his mother Victoria.

In December 2012 he signed an open letter criticizing a St. Petersburg bill banning "homosexual propaganda", along with pop stars like Dima Bilan and Valery Syutkin.^[11]

Public image and controversies[]

Kirkorov at "New Wave Junior 2015" in Artek

Kirkorov has maintained a "bad boy" public image for most of his career and has caused a number of media controversies.

The most notorious scandal followed an incident in Rostov-on-Don on 20 May 2004. At a press conference he insulted (using Russian obscene language) Irina Aroyan, a female journalist who had asked why so many of his songs were covers of American and European hits.^[12] During the ensuing discussion, Kirkorov eventually told Aroyan that he was "tired of her pink blouse, her tits, and her microphone" and demanded that she leave the room immediately. When she eventually did, his bodyguards attacked her outside and destroyed her tape recorder. The incident led to a major response and discussions in the mass media. On 11 August 2004, Kirkorov was found guilty of insults (article 130 of the Russian penal code) and was fined 60,000 rubles (about 2000 US dollars at the time).^[13]

At a pro-Viktor Yanukovych candidacy concert during the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election Kirkorov's father, Bulgarian singer Bedros Kirkorov, mistakenly called on Ukrainians to vote for the opposing candidate Viktor Yushchenko – to wild cheers from the audience.^[14]

There was also an incident where Kirkorov sent his guards to attack the Russian rock singer and DDT band frontman Yuri Shevchuk after their emotional skirmish in a public place (as known, Shevchuk keeps no guards of his own). The reason for the argument reportedly were Shevchuk's offensive statements against Kirkorov, his wife, and his alleged lip-synching.^[15][16]

On 15 May 2009 Kirkorov resigned as head of the Russian jury at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, which has a 50% say in who will be national Russian Eurovision representative, after having been seen posing for cameras with Greek entry Sakis Rouvas and having dinner with Norwegian entry Alexander Rybak.^[17] Furthermore, Kirkorov admitted that he and Rouvas had been personal friends for years. Since the integrity of the jury was deemed damaged, Kirkorov had little option but to resign once these stories had been made public.^[18]

On 3 September 2009 Philipp Kirkorov, clad in his (in)famous 2008 Music Awards 'gold' suit was caught on camera while 'confiscating' the camera belonging to journalist Veronica Kozlova. Since the act could have been interpreted according to the law as a robbery, some reports said the singer was facing 2 to 7 years' imprisonment and a heavy fine. All charges were dropped, however, and Kirkorov stated that his actions were 'provoked' by the journalist. Kozlova was immediately dubbed 'Pink Blouse the Second' by her colleagues and other journalists.^[19]

Another incident occurred on 4 December 2010, when he allegedly slapped a female assistant because he was unhappy with the lighting at a concert venue. The woman, later identified as Marina Yablokova, threatened to sue Kirkorov. As a result, Kirkorov fled to Israel^[20] and had himself interned at a psychiatric hospital.^[21] On 7 December 2010 the singer publicly admitted that he had psychological problems on his official website and apologized to his latest victim.^[22]

Russian actor Nikita Dzhigurda during a talk show hinted on non-hetero sexual orientations of several prominent Russian pop stars, including Kirkorov. Dzhigurda concluded with the warning: "Come out! Come out from below ground, before it's too late!"^[23]

On 29 November 2016, Russian media reported that Didier Marouani has been detained in Moscow by Russian police on charges of extortion and defamation. The charges were based on a complaint by Kirkorov with whom Marouani had a disagreement regarding a copyright infringement case.^[24][25][26]

Support for the Russian annexation of Crimea[]

Due to his public support of the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea, Lithuania has blacklisted Kirkorov starting from 19 January 2021, meaning the performer won't be able to enter the country for five years.^[27] Several of his concerts had been scheduled in Lithuanian cities that year. On 23 June 2021 Kirkorov was included in the list of "persons who pose a threat to Ukraine's national security" and was thus banned from entering Ukraine for speaking in support of Russia's annexation of Crimea.^[28]

Honours and awards[]

Kirkorov receives the Order of Honor from Russian President Vladimir Putin, 15 November 2017

Orders

• Order of Honor (30 April 2017) - for great contribution to the development of national music art and many years of creative activity.^[29]
• 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.^[30]

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)^[28]
• 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)

Medals

• Medal "10 years of Astana" (Kazakhstan, 2008)

Public awards

• Record holder of the Russian Book of Records (2017)^[31]

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:
• 2003: Neznakomka
• 2007: For You
• 2011: Drugoy – 2 Edition
• 2016: Ya

Live

• 2001: (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow... )

Compilation

• 2003: (The Best Songs)
• 2004: (Duets)

Singles[]

• 1999:
• 2000:
• 2000:
• 2001:
• 2001:
• 2001:
• 2001:
• 2002:
• 2004:
• 2005: (duet with Sakis Rouvas)
• 2009:

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)
• "" – Helena Paparizou (2005 Greek National Final) (Russian as "Kaif")
• "Carnaval" – DJ Mendez (2002 Swedish National Final) (Russian)
• "Let your spirit fly" – & 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" – Mans Zelmerlow (2009 Swedish National Final) (Russian as "Tyi vsyo uvidish sam")

Videos[]

Filmography[]

• 1995: "Old Songs About Main Things" (as magician from south)
• 1996: "Old Songs About Main Things – 2" (as Mr. Singer)
• 1997: "Old Songs About Main Things – 3" (as young actor)
• 2000: "Salon of Beaty" (as Evgeniy Slavin)
• 2000: "Old Songs About Main Things.Postscript" (as magician from south)
• 2001: "Como El Cine" (as himself)
• 2002: "Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka" (as devil)
• 2003: "Crazy Day or The Marriage of Figaro" (as Count Almaviva)
• 2006: "" (cameo)
• 2007: "Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors" (as kite Piliph)
• 2007: "Stars Holidays" (as Baron Ctar, intergalactic star)
• 2008: "Goldfish" (as star groom)
• 2008: "On Back Of Black Cat" (cameo)
• 2009: "Love in the Big City" (as Saint Valentin)
• 2010: "Love in the Big City 2" (as Saint Valentin)
• 2010: "Svaty" (cameo)
• 2012: "Little Red Riding Hood" (Красная Шапочка) (As Cat Basilio ; Кот Бразилио)
• 2014: "Love in the Big City 3" (as Saint Valentin)
• 2017: "Naughty Grandma" (cameo)

Eurovision Song Contest entries^[32][]

Year	Country	Song	Artist	Songwriters	Final	Points	Semi	Points
1995	Russia	"Kolybelnaya dlya vulkana"	Philipp Kirkorov	Ilya Bershadskiy, Ilya Reznik	17	17	No semi-finals
2007	Belarus	"Work Your Magic"	Dmitry Koldun	Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Karen Kavaleryan	6	145	4	176
2008	Ukraine	"Shady Lady"	Ani Lorak	Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Karen Kavaleryan	2	230	1	152
2014	Russia	"Shine"	Tolmachevy Sisters	Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos, John Ballard, Ralph Charlie, Gerard James Borg	7	89	6	63
2016	Russia	"You Are the Only One"	Sergey Lazarev	Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos, John Ballard, Ralph Charlie	3	491	1	342
2018	Moldova	"My Lucky Day"	DoReDoS	Philipp Kirkorov, John Ballard	10	209	3	235
2019	Russia	"Scream"	Sergey Lazarev	Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Sharon Vaughn	3	370	6	217
2020	Moldova	"Prison"	Natalia Gordienko	Dimitris Kontopoulos, Philipp Kirkorov, Sharon Vaughn	Contest cancelled
2021	Moldova	"Sugar"	Natalia Gordienko	Dimitris Kontopoulos, Phillipp Kirkorov, Mikhail Gutseriyev, Sharon Vaughn	13	115	7	179

See also[]

• Russian pop music

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Philipp Kirkorov.

• Official website (in Russian)
• Philipp Kirkorov at the Forbes
• Philipp Kirkorov at IMDb
• Philipp Kirkorov discography at Discogs
• Интервью Филиппа Киркорова журналу Rolling Stone