Earlier today, speculation swirled that Bulgaria’s Eurovision Song Contest 2026 representative DARA was considering withdrawing from the process. However, she has now released a statement confirming her desire to perform on the Vienna stage this May.
DARA issues statement
During a breakfast news programme this morning, DARA revealed that she was doubting whether to continue and participate in Eurovision 2026 after her victory last weekend in Bulgaria’s selection show Natsionalnata selektsiya 2026. Following the conclusion of the artist selection phase of the competition, DARA received backlash on social media and negative comments.
“My desire is killed and crushed by the negative comments. By the end of the day, I will decide whether to participate.
The most offensive thing is the distrust of my talent, this is the most insulting. Otherwise, I know that the winner in any contest gets a lot of hate. This happens often. Somehow I tried to become numb and not pay attention.”
After much consideration, DARA has decided to stay and participate in Eurovision 2026 taking place this May in Vienna, Austria. Taking to social media, DARA revealed the news everyone had been waiting for in a public statement. The translation from Instagram is as follows:
“What’s been happening in the last few days has almost broken me. Instead of enjoying and experiencing the moment of this victory that would charge me with the strength to continue to the real race, I had a few sleepless nights. The hatred on social media didn’t just affect me – it shook me and worried me. Today in a TV interview I shared quite honestly that I do not know if it is worth all this, if the price is my psyche.
I’ll put it quite simply – mental health matters. Mine. Yours. All of us.
There is no stage, no title, no expectation that is worth more than your inner peace.
I’ve been working on myself for over 10 years. On its resilience. I’ve fallen. I doubted it. My inner critic was sometimes the loudest voice in the room. There have been times when I have stood at a crossroads and I have wondered where to go. But I never gave up on my dreams. And yet – no one deserves such a public lynching, because they do their job and follows their path. Nobody.
That’s why I made a decision – I will participate.
Because of the thousands of messages I received today. Your love and support reminded me who I was and why I started. Thank you, from the heart! We won’t let go of the dream thieves! I say we – because going to Eurovision is not just for me. If I manage to present myself with dignity – then we all, Bulgaria, will shine on the map. Our music, our artists, we will all have an even louder voice.
So from now on, I stop following the whole hate, focus on work and the love you give me. I will work with heart, discipline and gratitude to everyone who stands by me.
I love you.
Thank you. Thank you.
I hug you.”
Natsionalnata selektsiya 2026 – Show Three
On February 28, DARA will perform three entries written for Eurovision 2026 consideration. A 10-person jury will take it in turns to individually score the songs 1-3 points. This will converted to 3 points for the most favoured jury song, 2 points to their second favourite and 1 point for the least favoured. Similarly the public votes will be converted to a 3-1 score. The song with the most points wins and will be performed at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 by the winning act.
“There is a month in which she will work with an extremely successful foreign production team with many podium finishes in Eurovision over the years. Three songs will be produced with this team.”
Anton Andonov, BNT Board of Directors Member
Heavy speculation suggests the ‘foreign production team’ are in fact the famous ‘Dream Team’ Eurovision hit-makers. Between them, Dimitris Kontopoulos and Fokas Evangelinos have overseen fifteen entries, including four podium placements.
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