Dara (Bulgarian singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dara
Dara in 2026
Background information
Native name	Дара
Birth name	Darina Nikolaeva Yotova
Born	(1998-09-09) 9 September 1998 (age 27) Varna, Bulgaria
Origin	Varna, Bulgaria
Genres	Pop R&B Synthpop
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2015–present
Labels	Virginia [bg]

Darina Nikolaeva Yotova (Bulgarian: Дарина Николаева Йотова), born on September 9, 1998, is a talented Bulgarian singer known by her stage name Dara (Дара). She became famous in 2015 after reaching the finals of the Bulgarian TV show The X Factor. In 2016, she released her first song, "K'vo ne chu," with Virginia Records. A big moment for Dara happened in 2026 when she won the Eurovision Song Contest for Bulgaria with her song "Bangaranga." This was Bulgaria's very first win in the competition!

Who is Dara?

Dara's full name is Darina Nikolaeva Yotova. She was born in Varna, a beautiful city in Bulgaria. From a young age, she loved music and singing. Her journey to becoming a pop star began when she was a teenager.

Her Journey to Stardom

In 2015, when Dara was 17, she took part in the Bulgarian version of the popular TV show The X Factor. She impressed the judges and audience, making it all the way to the final and finishing in third place. A famous Bulgarian rapper named Krisko was her mentor during the show.

After The X Factor, Dara signed a music deal with Virginia Records. She started using "Dara" as her stage name. In the summer of 2016, she released her first song, "K'vo ne chu." It quickly became a hit in Bulgaria. She even released an English version called "Onto You" to share her music with more people around the world.

Dara continued to release many popular songs, including "Rodena takava" in 2017 and "Nedei" later that year. Her music often topped the Bulgarian charts.

Becoming a TV Star

Dara is not just a singer; she's also a familiar face on Bulgarian television. In early 2020, she appeared on Kato dve kapki voda, which is the Bulgarian version of Your Face Sounds Familiar. On this show, celebrities imitate other famous singers. Dara did very well, finishing in third place.

Since 2021, Dara has been a coach on The Voice of Bulgaria, helping new singers achieve their dreams. She has been a very successful coach! In 2022, a singer from her team, Jacklyn Tarrakci, won the competition. Then, in 2024, another one of her artists, Slaveya Ivanova, also won. This means Dara has been the winning coach twice in four seasons!

In April 2022, Dara released her first album, titled Rodena takava. She even performed a special live show in Sofia to celebrate its release. In 2024, she also showed off her dancing skills on Dancing Stars, where she finished as the runner-up.

Winning Eurovision!

The year 2026 was a huge year for Dara. She decided to compete in the Bulgarian national selection to represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest. After winning a special show on January 31, 2026, she was chosen to go to Vienna and sing for Bulgaria.

Dara performing "Bangaranga" at the Eurovision 2026 Semi-Final in Vienna.

Her song for Eurovision was "Bangaranga," which was chosen on February 28, 2026. Dara captivated audiences across Europe with her performance. She won Eurovision with "Bangaranga," scoring an amazing 516 points! This historic win brought Bulgaria its very first Eurovision trophy.

Dara proudly holding her Eurovision Song Contest trophy in 2026.

When Dara returned to Sofia after her big win, she was greeted like a hero at the airport. The mayor of Sofia and the minister of culture were there to welcome her home!

Dara's triumphant arrival at Sofia airport after winning Eurovision in 2026.

Dara's Music

Dara has released two studio albums. Her first album, Rodena takava, came out in March 2022. Her second album, Adhdara, was released in September 2025. She is known for her catchy pop, R&B, and synthpop songs. Many of her singles, like "K'vo ne chu," "Rodena takava," "Nedei," "Darbie," "Ai Ai," "Thunder," and "Bangaranga," have been very popular and reached high positions on the Bulgarian music charts. She has also collaborated with other artists.

Dara has also released many music videos for her songs, which are always fun to watch!

Awards and Achievements

Dara has received several awards for her music and performances. She has been recognized at the BG Radio Music Awards, a major music event in Bulgaria.