DARA has stated that she is considering withdrawing from representing Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
During an interview on the bTV morning show Predi dnes, DARA stated that she is considering withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 due to negative comments following her win in the Artist Final of Natsionalnata Selektsiya 2026. The singer told bTV:
“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.”
DARA also highlighted the messages of support from many people, including her team.
“I am grateful to every single person who supports me. I thank these people because they encourage me and give me strength to continue.”
Following speculation that the Artist Final was rigged, BNT released the full breakdown of the public vote. BNT also confirmed that an attempt was made to cast 1.5 million votes from Asia and manipulate the overall result.
DARA was chosen to represent Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. She will perform three new songs on the final night of Natsionalnata Selektsiya 2026 on February 28. A ten-member jury and public voting will decide which of the three songs will be the Bulgarian entry for Eurovision 2026.
Source: dnes.bg
At the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, 17-year-old Kristian Kostov finished in second place in the Grand Final. Bulgaria has qualified for the Grand Final five times out of thirteen attempts at the contest. Bulgaria debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2005. The country competed annually from 2005 to 2013, before withdrawing for two years due to financial issues. Since returning to the contest in 2016, Bulgaria qualified for the final in every contest they have competed in up until the 2022 contest.