Dima Bilan

With his unique talent and exceptional abilities, vocal sensation Dima Bilan commanded the world's attention in May 2006 when he represented Russia at The Eurovision Song Contest (2006) in Athens, Greece. Dima was the hunk who took the honorable second place, conceding only Finland, with remarkable stage performance of his hit single "Never Let You Go". After that Forbes magazine couldn't but settle Bilan on the top of the rating of most popular Russian celebrities. Since launching his first single in Russia in 2003, in less than three years Bilan emerged as one of the most popular and widely acclaimed talents from Russia, being recognized with the most prestigious accolades in the industry. One of the first steps in Bilan's career was his participation in Jurmala contest, the most relevant music contest in Eastern Europe. Dima came in at number 4 at the contest and the whole country got to know him. Dima Bilan released 3 platinum albums: Ia Nochnoy Hooligan (The Night Hooligan, 2003), Na Beregu Neba (Between the Sky and Heaven, 2004), on which Dima collaborated with world-famous songwriter Diane Warren, who penned Céline Dion's My Heart Will Go On, Toni Braxton's Unbreak My Heart and Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing", and Vremya-Reka (Time Is a River, 2006), which sold over 2,000,000 copies in Russia and CIS. Dima's Eurovision hit single Never Let You Go catapulted Dima to superstar status and placed him on top or all Russian radio and TV-charts in May 2006 and stayed on top of the charts for mind-blowing 24 weeks! In October 2006 this single was released in Greece and Cyprus, got into TOP 10 and was released in a number of European countries. In September 2005 Dima won two awards at MTV Russia Music Awards for Best Performer and Artist Of The Year. The same year Bilan went to Lisbon to present Russia at MTV Europe Music Awards. In July 2006 Bilan was one of the four artists who took part in the biggest musical event in Russia of 2006 - The Red Summer show in Red Square in Moscow, where he performed on stage with Shakira, The Black Eyed Peas and t.A.T.u.. In September 2006, for second year in a row, Bilan won Artist of the Year and Song of the Year at MTV Russia Music Awards. On November 2nd he represented Russia at MTV EMA in Copenhagen. On November 15th 2006 he received award for Best Selling Russian Artist and performed at the World Music Awards in London along with Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nelly Furtado and Bob Sinclar. His performance of Eurovision hot single Never Let You Go at WMAs was broadcast on Channel 4 in UK and 130 more countries, including United States. Bilan was touring US (New York, Los Angeles, San-Francisco, Miami, Chicago) in January 2007 with audience not less than 3000 people per venue. Bilan got classical scholarship at the famous Gnesin Academy of Music. Being a student, he got acquainted with top Russian manager in show - business, the late 'Yuriy Aizenshpis', who became Dima's manager and added a lot to Dima's successful career in Russia. In 2003 Dima graduated from Gnesin Academy and received his diploma from the hands of highly respected Russian artist Iosif Kobzon, and having decided to obtain even more vocal skills, Dima became the student of GITIS (The State Institute of Theatrical Art), where he studies now. Dima is also very successful in his modeling career, and since 2004 he is the face of La Scala Fashion Group, which presents in Russia Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, YSL, Dsquared2, Dior, Roberto Cavalli and other luxury brands. In January 2006 Dima took part in Milan Fashion Week as celebrity guest for Dsquared2 show. In February - March 2007 he recorded his first international album in English in Los Angeles, then in Philadelphia in collaboration with sound producer Timbaland (Timbaland) and his production team - Danjahandz, Jim Beanz, Ryan Tedder from One Republic. One of the new tracks was a duet with one of Timbaland's most successful artists - Nelly Furtado. At the annual MTV Russia Music Awards 2007 on October the 4th, Bilan won 3 most prestigious awards for Best Performer, Best Song and - for the third time in three years - Best Artist. His performance of chart topping, Jim Beanz-penned single Number One Fan included cameo from the very special guest - Timbaland's brother Sebastian, well-known worldwide for their joint song with Timbaland and Keri Hilson - Way I Are. He got his Best Artist 2007 MTV RMA award at MTV Europe Music Awards on November 1st in Munich, Germany. Dima's first international album in English will be released in United States and Europe this year with a record major, and its Spanish version to be released in Latin America this year as well. Dima Bilan and his management team are currently working on the stage presentation of Believe. Their plans include Olympic and World champion figure skater Evgeni Plushenko and famous Hungarian violinist Edvin Marton, who plays Giacomo Antonio Stradivari's treasure violin from 1697. Internationally famous Evgeny Plyushchenko is the seven-time National Champion, five-time European Champion, three-time World Champion, 2006 Winter Olympics gold medalist, and four-time Grand Prix Final gold medalist. The concept of the unique choreography will be the essence of the song itself, that is believing in oneself, friendship and people close to you, overcoming difficulties in life and coming out with victory.