Bulgarian singer Dara has been chosen to perform for her country at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna next year. The selection came after a national final in Sofia where she won unanimously from eight competing artists. Now, attention turns to picking the song she will sing on stage.
On January 31, eight artists took the stage in Sofia for Bulgaria's national final, aiming to secure a spot at the Eurovision Song Contest. Each performer showcased a track from their existing repertoire, with viewers and a professional jury deciding the winner. Dara emerged victorious after delivering her song "Thunder," earning top scores from both the public and the jury in a unanimous decision.
This marks Bulgaria's return to the competition, and Dara's selection sets the stage for the next phase. On February 28, she will present three potential songs in a live show, where votes from the audience and experts will determine the final entry for Vienna. Bulgaria is slated to compete in the second semi-final on May 14.
Dara stands out as one of Bulgaria's leading pop artists, known for her distinctive voice and dynamic performances that blend genres within the Balkan music scene. She has topped the Bulgarian Airplay Chart multiple times and featured in European New Music Friday playlists, accumulating over 80 million streams and views. Her collaborations span continents, involving producers from the US, Canada, South Korea, Norway, Sweden, the UK, and Romania—including talents like Chris Young, who has worked with Rod Stewart and Kylie Minogue, and Jungleboi, associated with Zayn and Rihanna.
Hits such as "Thunder," "Call Me," and "Mr. Rover" have defined her career, keeping her at the forefront of charts. Dara has also guided emerging artists as a mentor on The Voice of Bulgaria in 2021 and 2022. Her 2025 album, ADHDARA, highlights her shift toward a broader international appeal.
Celebrating her win, Dara received a custom statuette crafted by artist Stoyan Zikov. He explained its design: "I was inspired by the philosophy of Eurovision, where talent and individual voice become a common cultural language. The statuette resembles a heart made up of separate elements that diverge and meet, but together create harmony. It is a message to the one who will represent Bulgaria on a stage where creativity is a shared emotion and a common future."
