DARA has confirmed she will compete in Eurovision 2026, after considering withdrawing from the contest due to backlash on social media.
Following comments this morning that she was considering withdrawing from representing Bulgaria, DARA has confirmed on social media that she will represent her country in Vienna. The singer was questioning whether to participate in the contest following negative comments she received the day after winning the Bulgarian selection.
Her statement, released this afternoon, reads:
What has been happening in recent days has almost broken me. Instead of rejoicing and experiencing the moment of this victory, which would give me strength to continue towards the real competition, I had several sleepless nights. The hatred on social media didn’t just affect me – it shook me and worried me. Today, in a television interview, I shared quite honestly that I don’t know if it’s all worth it if the price is my psyche.
I’ll put it 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.
For over 10 years I have been working on myself. On my resilience. I have fallen. I have doubted myself. My inner critic has sometimes been the loudest voice in the room. There have been moments when I have stood at a crossroads and wondered which way to turn. But I have never given up on my dreams. And yet – no one deserves such a public lynching for doing their job and following their path. No one.
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 of who I am and why I started. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! We will not leave ourselves to the dream thieves! I say we – because my going to Eurovision is not just for me. If I manage to perform worthily – then we all, Bulgaria, will shine on the map. Our music, our artists, all of us will have an even stronger voice.
So from now on, I’m going to stop following all the hate, focus on my work and the love you give me. I’m going to work with my heart, with discipline, and with gratitude to everyone who stands by me.
I love you.
Thank you.
I hug you.
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: DARA
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.
