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Dara (Bulgarian singer)

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Dara
Дара
Dara in 2026
Dara in 2026
Background information
Born
Darina Nikolaeva Yotova

(1998-09-09) 9 September 1998 (age 27)[1]
Varna, Bulgaria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2015–present
LabelVirginia [bg]
Spouse
Ervin Ivanov
(m. 2025)
[2]
Websitethisisdara.com

Darina Nikolaeva Yotova (Bulgarian: Дарина Николаева Йотова; born 9 September 1998), professionally known as Dara (Дара; stylised in all caps), is a Bulgarian singer and songwriter. She first rose to prominence in 2015 after reaching the final in the Bulgarian edition of The X Factor. In 2016, she released her debut single "K'vo ne chu", and in 2022, she released her first studio album, Rodena takava under Virginia Records [bg].[3] In 2026, she won the Eurovision Song Contest for Bulgaria with the song "Bangaranga", giving the country its first ever win in the competition since the country's debut back in 2005.

Early life and education

[edit]

Yotova was born on 9 September 1998 in Varna, Bulgaria.[4] She graduated from the Dobri Hristov National School of Arts [bg] in Varna, where she studied folk singing using traditional Bulgarian vocal techniques.[5][1]

Career

[edit]

2015–2019: The X Factor and early career

[edit]

In 2015, Yotova took part in the Bulgarian edition of the reality series The X Factor, in which she finished third,[1] with the Bulgarian rapper Krisko as her mentor.

Following her departure from The X Factor, Yotova signed a record deal with the Bulgarian music label Virginia Records and adopted the stage name Dara. In the summer of 2016, she released her debut single, "K'vo ne chu", accompanied by a music video. A few weeks later, the single peaked at the top of the Bulgarian charts, and an English-language version of the song, titled "Onto You", was released on 29 September, directed at an international audience.[6]

On 12 March 2017, Dara released her second single "Rodena takava", also accompanied by a music video.[7] A few months later, on 21 July, she made her first guest appearance on a single named "Nyama da si tragnesh s drug" by labelmates Plamen & Ivo alongside Bulgarian hip-hop duo Pavell and Venci Venc'.[8] On 29 September, Dara's third single "Nedei" was released on YouTube with an official music video.[9]

On 20 June 2018, Dara released her fourth single "Vse na men", along with a music video.

2020–2024: The Voice of Bulgaria and debut album Rodena takava

[edit]
Dara at the Code Fashion Awards in 2022

In early 2020, Dara starred in the TV show Kato dve kapki voda, the Bulgarian version of Your Face Sounds Familiar, finishing in third place in the final.[10] Since 2021, Dara has been a coach on The Voice of Bulgaria.[11] In 2022, on the ninth season, Jacklyn Tarrakci, a member of Team Dara, won the competition. This made Dara the winning coach. In 2024, during the eleventh season, Dara's artist, Slaveya Ivanova, won the competition, marking Dara's second win in four seasons as a coach.[12]

In March 2022, Dara won the Fashion Teen Idol award at the Code Fashion Awards, as voted by the event's teen audience.[13] In April of the same year, she released her debut album Rodena takava accompanied by a live performance at Joy Station, Sofia.

In March 2023, Kai released "Rover", a remake of Dara's original "Mr. Rover", on his solo album Rover.[14]

In the spring of 2024, she participated in Dancing Stars, where she finished as the runner-up.[15][16]

2025–present: ADHDara and Eurovision win

[edit]

On 19 September 2025, Dara released her second studio album ADHDara.

Dara at dress rehearsal for Eurovision 2026 semi-final 2 in Vienna

In early 2026 Dara participated in the Bulgarian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. After winning the second show on 31 January 2026, she was selected to represent Bulgaria at the contest in Vienna.[17] The song with which she competed in Vienna, "Bangaranga", was selected on 28 February 2026.[18][19] Dara won the second semi-final and then went on to win the contest, scoring 516 points[20] and giving Bulgaria its first win.[21][22] She also won the Marcel Bezençon Award for the Best Artistic Performance category, voted by the partcipating commentators.[23] As of May 2026, the song has surpassed 20 million streams on Spotify.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

In 2025, Dara was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[25]

Yotova married Ervin Ivanov, a Turkish-Bulgarian doctor and pharmacologist, on 17 May 2025.[26]

Discography

[edit]
Dara discography
Studio albums2
Singles31
Music videos29

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details
Rodena takava
ADHDara
  • Released: 19 September 2025
  • Label: Virginia
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
BUL
Air.

[27]
BUL
Dom.
Air.

[28]
AUT
[29]
FIN
[30]
GER
[31]
LTU
[32]
SWE
[33]
SWI
[34]
UK
[35]
WW
[36]
"K'vo ne chu" 2016 6 * Rodena takava
"Rodena takava" 2017 1
"Nedei" 7 1
"Vse na men" 2018 9 2
"BTW (Bye Bye)"
(with Livin R & Noisy)
2019 3
"Sosa maje"
(with Virgo [it])
"Darbie" 7 1
"Hotel 5 zvezdi"
(with Pavell & Venci Venc' [it])
Upgrade
"Ella Ella" 6 2 Rodena takava
"Ai Ai" 2020 3 1
"Mamacita"
"Cold as Ice" 2021 5 2
"Thunder" 1 1
"Call Me"
(with Matteo)
2022 1
"Mr. Rover" 4 Non-album singles
"Veche nyama kak"
(with Lubo Kirov)
2023 10 1 Tseluni me
"Boginya" 3 Non-album singles
"In My Head" 6 1
"Zaminavam" 1
"Nyama da mi lipsvash"
(featuring Bobo)
10 2
"Samo moi" 2024 2
"Zmiya"
(with Venci Venc' [it])
3
"Kradets na mechti" 8 1
"Nishto poveche" 2025 9 1 ADHDara
"Barbie & Ken"
(with Virgo)
Sauce Kid 4
"Nito zvuk" 10 1 ADHDara
"Da ne mojem" 2
"Onche bonche" 2026 2
"Curse" Non-album singles
"This Is Me"
"Bangaranga" 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 21 90
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
"*" denotes that the chart did not exist at that time.
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
BUL
Air.

[27]
BUL
Dom.
Air.

[28]
"Nyama da si tragnesh s drug"
(Plamen & Ivo featuring Dara and Pavell & Venci Venc')
2017 3 Non-album singles
"Sreshtu men"
(Pavell & Venci Venc' featuring Dara)
2018
"My Time"
(Monoir featuring Dara)
4 1
"USK"
(Molec [bg]) featuring Dara)
2026 8 Paraklis
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Director Artist(s)
As main performer
2016 "K'vo ne chu" Lyusi Ilarionov, Andrey Andreev
2017 "Rodena takava" Lyusi Ilarionov, Georgi Markov[37]
2026 “Bangaranga” K2ID Productions
As featured performer
2017 "Nyama da si tragnesh s drug" Lyusi Ilarionov, Georgi Markov Plamen & Ivo featuring Dara, Pavell & Venci Venc'


Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year Nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
BG Radio Music Awards [bg] 2017 "Kvo ne chu" Song of the Year Nominated [38]
"Kvo ne chu"
(written by Pavel Nikolov and Nikolay "X" Nikolov)
Lyrics of the Year Nominated
Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated
Herself Debut of the Year Nominated
"Kvo ne chu"
(directed by Lyusi Ilarionov)
Music Video of the Year Nominated
2018 "Nedei" Song of the Year Nominated [39][40]
Herself Female Artist of the Year Won
"Nedei"
(written by herself and Pavel Nikolov)
Lyrics of the Year Nominated
"Nedei"
(directed by Lyusi Ilarionov)
Music Video of the Year Nominated
2019 Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated [41]
"Vse na men"
(directed by Lyusi Ilarionov)
Music Video of the Year Nominated
2020 "Ella Ella" Song of the Year Nominated [42]
Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated
"Darbie"
(directed by Viktor Antonov – Rik)
Music Video of the Year Nominated
2021 Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated [43]
"Ai Ai"
(directed by Emanuil Albert)
Music Video of the Year Nominated
2022 "Thunder" Song of the Year Nominated [44]
Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated
"Thunder"
(directed by Stefan Marinov)
Music Video of the Year Won
2023 Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated [45]
"Rodena Takava" Album of the Year Nominated
2024 Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated [46]
Herself and Lubo Kirov Combination of the Year Nominated
2025 Herself Female Artist of the Year Won [47]
Code Fashion Awards 2022 Herself Fashion Teen Idol Won [13]
Marcel Bezençon Awards 2026 "Bangaranga" Artistic Award Won [23]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Pons, Miguel (6 May 2026). "Who is DARA? Get to Know Bulgaria's Eurovision 2026 entry". ESCplus. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  2. ^ "Bulgarian Eurovision Winner Dara Marries Doctor Ervin Ivanov". BalkanArena. 17 May 2026. Archived from the original on 22 May 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  3. ^ "Дарина Йотова – Dara: Честити ми 18" [Darina Yotova – Dara: Happy 18th birthday]. Signal.bg (in Bulgarian). 11 September 2016. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  4. ^ signal.bg, archived from the original on 11 August 2017, retrieved 19 September 2016
  5. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (17 May 2026). "Meet DARA, Bulgaria's first ever Eurovision Song Contest champion". The Independent. I attended the National School of Arts in Varna, where I specialised in folklore singing, which might surprise people who hear "Bangaranga" for the first time. But that training in traditional Bulgarian vocal technique, with all its microtones and emotional rawness, is absolutely in my DNA. It shaped the way I hear music and the way I use my voice, even when I'm making something that sounds nothing like folklore.
  6. ^ Dara – Onto You (Official HD). Virginia Records [bg]. 26 September 2016. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Dara – Rodena Takava (Official 4k). Virginia Records [bg]. 10 March 2017. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Plamen & Ivo feat. DARA, Pavell & Venci Venc'- Nyama da si tragnesh s drug (Official Video). Virginia Records [bg]. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 16 June 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ DARA- Nedei (Official Teaser). Virginia Records [bg]. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Conte, Davide (15 May 2026). "🇦🇹 Eurovision 2026: Meet The Artists". Eurovoix. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  11. ^ "Coaches in the 2021 Season of "Glasat na Bulgaria"". Glasat na Bulgaria (in Bulgarian). Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  12. ^ "ГАЛЕНА И ИВАН ЛЕЧЕВ СЯДАТ НА ТРЕНЬОРСКИТЕ КРЕСЛА В ПРЕДСТОЯЩИЯ СЕЗОН НА "ГЛАСЪТ НА БЪЛГАРИЯ" ПО BTV". Glasat na Bulgaria (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  13. ^ a b "DARA – момичето, което порасна пред очите ни и се превърна в истинска световна звезда". codefashion.bg (in Bulgarian). Code Fashion. 19 May 2026. Archived from the original on 23 May 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  14. ^ "K-pop суперзвезда се влюби в песен на DARA – KAI представи своя версия на „Mr. Rover" | CITY Radio&TV – Хитове до скъсване!". CITY Radio&TV.
  15. ^ "Неделя и Атанас вдигнаха шампионската купа в „Dancing Stars" по bTV" [Nedelya and Atanas lifted the champion cup in „Dancing Stars“ on bTV]. Dancing Stars (in Bulgarian). bTV. 15 May 2025. Archived from the original on 20 June 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Суперзвездите на България ще танцуват в „Dancing Stars"" [Bulgaria's superstars will dance in „Dancing Stars“]. Dancing Stars (in Bulgarian). bTV. 30 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Dara will represent Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026". Eurovisionworld. 31 January 2026. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  18. ^ "DARA ще представи България на „Евровизия 2026" с песента „Bangaranga"". BNT (in Bulgarian). 1 March 2026.
  19. ^ "Bulgaria to select DARA's song for Vienna". Eurovision Song Contest. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  20. ^ Bulgaria have won the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Sky News. Retrieved 17 May 2026
  21. ^ Spivey, Matt; Burgess, Jack; Bushby, Helen; Saunders, Emma; Savage, Mark (16 May 2026). "Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026 as UK comes last". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  22. ^ Oktawia (16 May 2026). "Bułgaria wygrywa Eurowizję 2026! Polska kończy na 12 miejscu" [Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026! Poland finishes in 12th place]. ESCSpot (in Polish). Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  23. ^ a b "The 2026 Marcel Bezençon Award Winners". Eurovision.com. EBU. 16 May 2026. Archived from the original on 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  24. ^ "Spotify Stream Count". MyStreamCount. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  25. ^ Savage, Mark (17 May 2026). "Eurovision 2026: Bulgaria wins with Bangaranga - but the UK comes last". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  26. ^ "Омъжена жена ли е вече DARA". lifestyle.bg (in Bulgarian). Archived from the original on 14 July 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  27. ^ a b Peak chart positions for singles in Bulgarian Airplay:
  28. ^ a b Peak chart positions for singles in Bulgarian Domestic Airplay:
  29. ^ "Ö3 Austria Top40: Single Charts vom 22. Mai 2026". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  30. ^ "Dara – Bangaranga". Suomen virallinen lista (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Archived from the original on 23 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  31. ^ "Dara – Bangaranga". offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  32. ^ "2026 21-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" [Most-Streamed Songs of Week 21 (Top 100)] (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 22 May 2026. Archived from the original on 23 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  33. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 21, 2026". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 22 May 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  34. ^ "Dara – Bangaranga". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  35. ^ "Dara songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  36. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of May 30, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  37. ^ DARA – Rodena Takava (Official Making). Virginia Records. 24 March 2017. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  38. ^ "Ето и номинираните за годишните музикални награди на БГ радио 2017". bgradio.bg (in Bulgarian). 15 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  39. ^ "Обявиха номинациите за наградите на "БГ радио" (снимки)". life.dir.bg (in Bulgarian). 11 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  40. ^ "ВИЖ победителите от Годишни Музикални Награди 2018 на БГ Радио". signal.bg (in Bulgarian). 17 June 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  41. ^ "Номинации за Годишни Музикални Награди на БГ Радио 2019". bgradio.bg (in Bulgarian). 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 15 September 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  42. ^ "Номинации за Годишни Музикални Награди 2020". bgradio.bg (in Bulgarian). 24 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  43. ^ "Номинации за Годишни Музикални Награди 2021". bgradio.bg (in Bulgarian). 14 June 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  44. ^ "Annual Music Awards 2022 of BG RADIO in Plovdiv – nominations". visitplovdiv.com. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  45. ^ "Годишните Музикални Награди на БГ Радио 2023". kolodrumplovdiv.com (in Bulgarian). Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  46. ^ "Избираме победителите на Годишните Музикални Награди на БГ Радио 2024". bgradio.bg (in Bulgarian). 9 April 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  47. ^ "Annual BG Radio Music Awards Presented in Sofia". bta.bg. Bulgarian News Agency. 26 May 2025. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
[edit]
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