Bulgaria's Dara Yotova gets real about nervous start before Eurovision victory

Eurovision winner Dara Nikolaeva Toyova from Bulgaria is looking back on her the "doubt and anxiety" she experienced before entering Europe's biggest musical competition.

Speaking to the media after her win, the 27-year-old admitted she was unsure at first whether she should take part in the Eurovision Song Contest.

 ”In the beginning, I was not sure if I want to come or not, because I had anxiety and doubt in myself,” The Independent quoted the winner.

In the same address, she thanked her husband for encouraging her to join the competition and push past her hesitation.

Despite her early uncertainty, Yotova went on to win the contest held in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday, May 16. She performed the song Bangaranga and scored a total of 516 points at the Wiener Stadthalle venue.

Her victory made her Bulgaria’s first-ever Eurovision winner.

Israel’s Noam Bettan came in second place with 343 points, while Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu finished third with 296 points.