“I won this contest”: Kirkorov took credit for Bulgaria’s victory at Eurovision
This is according to the Bulgarian newspaper Standart.
Russian singer Philip Kirkorov has published a post in which he effectively claimed credit for Bulgaria’s victory at ‘Eurovision 2026’.
In the post, he stated that Bulgaria had not taken part in the contest for several years due to a lack of funds at the public broadcaster BNT. According to Kirkorov, in 2025 he met the broadcaster’s director general, Emil Koshlukov, and allegedly found an investor who paid for the country’s participation in the contest.
Kirkorov also claimed that his production company, Dream Team, was involved in preparing Bulgaria’s performance.
What Kirkorov said
Kirkorov illustrated his post with an image of a Trojan horse bearing his face.
He stated that Bulgaria is his father’s homeland, and that DARA’s victory had allegedly helped him “close the loop” with “Eurovision”.
“Morally, I am satisfied. I won this contest,” wrote Kirkorov.
How DARA responded
The winner of “Eurovision 2026”, DARA, commented on Kirkorov’s post and refuted his claims.
The singer noted that the song “Bangaranga”, with which she won the contest, was written back in 2023 at the Sofia Song Camp.
“With all due respect, but ‘Bangaranga’ was written in 2023 at the Sofia Song Camp,” wrote DARA.
Among those who helped her on her journey to the contest, the singer named her label Virginia Records, the Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT, and international producers.
What is known about Bulgaria’s victory
The Eurovision 2026 final took place in Vienna. Bulgaria’s representative, DARA, won with the song “Bangaranga”.
This was Bulgaria’s first victory in the country’s entire history of participating in the contest.
Ukraine’s representative, Leléka, came ninth with the song “Ridnym”.
Rumours of Kirkorov’s involvement in Bulgaria’s performance had circulated previously. However, this is the first time that DARA herself has publicly responded to such claims.
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