Bulbul at NRJ Music Awards 2025

The NRJ Music Awards is France’s flagship pop-music ceremony, co-produced by NRJ radio and broadcaster TF1 and staged each year at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. It spotlights the year’s biggest French and international artists through fan-voted categories—like Song, Album, Newcomer, and Collaboration of the Year—paired with high-energy live performances and red-carpet moments. More than a trophy show, it’s a snapshot of the sounds and stars that defined the year, celebrating chart success and cultural impact as chosen by the public.

The standout international name at this year’s show was Ed Sheeran. His track “Azizam”, with approximately 330 million streams, was honoured with the ‘International Hit of the Year’ award.

Meanwhile, one of France’s most famous singers, Gims, received the “Honour” and “Best Concert of the Year” awards, while David Guetta was named “DJ of the Year”.

The international girl group Katseye was among the evening’s performers, and Lady Gaga won “International Female Artist of the Year”. 

Helena—known from the edition of “Star Academy” aired two years ago, one of the most followed competitions in France and the Francophone world—received the “Francophone Female Artist of the Year” award. 

You can find the full list of winners here: https://www.nrj.fr/music-awards/actualites/les-gagnants-et-resultats-par-categories-71365510

Bulbul continues to make its mark on international stages. To expand its cross-border services for clients and pursue new opportunities, it operates out of Cannes.

So what is the lesson we’ve once again recognised at Bulbul?

The clearest takeaway from tonight was, once again, the power of storytelling. Helena—who received the “Francophone Female Artist of the Year” award—emerged from Star Academy, the most-followed competition show in the Francophone world. In other words, she has crowned a journey that began at the local level with one of France’s most prestigious honours. For us, this proves that the evolution of her own story—and indeed that story itself—was the singular vehicle that brought her to her audience and enabled her to forge a powerful bond with them.

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