Dara, the Bangaranga singer who won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, has revealed that she came close to withdrawing from the competition on two separate occasions. The admission, made in an interview with the BBC, sheds light on the pressures faced by contestants in one of the world’s most-watched musical events.
According to Dara, the first instance occurred during the early stages of the selection process, when she doubted whether her song “River of Light” would resonate with a global audience. “I thought it was too personal, too rooted in our culture,” she said. “I questioned if I was the right person to represent Bangaranga.”
The second crisis came just days before the final rehearsal, following a series of technical difficulties with the stage production. Dara described feeling overwhelmed by the logistical complexities and the weight of expectation. “I had a moment where I thought, ‘This is too much. I cannot do this.’”
Her perseverance paid off. Dara’s victory, announced late Saturday night in Liverpool, has been hailed as a triumph for Bangaranga, a small nation that has struggled to gain recognition on the European stage. The win marks the country’s first Eurovision title in 23 years.
Geopolitical analysts note that the victory could bolster Bangaranga’s soft power, particularly in its ongoing diplomatic efforts with neighbouring states. The country’s foreign ministry has already announced plans to use Dara’s image in a new cultural outreach campaign.
Dara’s revelation has also sparked discussion about the mental health of Eurovision participants. The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the contest, said it provides psychological support to all artists. “We take the wellbeing of our contestants very seriously,” a spokesperson said.
For now, Dara is focused on the future. She is scheduled to perform at a series of concerts across Europe and has been invited to meet the Bangarangan president. “I almost gave up twice,” she said. “But I am glad I did not.”
