The Bulgarian singer says her historic victory in Vienna came close to never happening.
Bulgaria won Eurovision, pushing Israel into second place amid boycotts and protests over Israelโs war on Gaza.
After four years of flops, the BBC has to think hard about how it approaches Eurovision in 2027.
Bulgarian singer Dara stormed to victory in the contest, while Ukraine broke the record for the longest note ever sung at Eurovision.
Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday in a final overshadowed by five countriesโ boycott over Gaza, claiming a dramatic โvictory despite another big public vote for Israel that secured it second place. The garish and usually good-natured competition involving pop acts from countries across Europe and beyond, now in its 70th year, has been plunged into crisis by a dispute over Israelโs military offensive in Gaza, a response to โ the Hamas-led attack on October 7,...
Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia and Netherlands all withdrew in protest against Israel's participation amid Gaza war.
Eurovision has long claimed to be apolitical. This year, that claim may be its most contested performance yet.
Ireland's boycott is the latest in a series of moves that has seen the country at odds with Israel over its war in Gaza.
The decision by five nations to boycott the song contest comes amid Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Israelโs Eurovision performance was disrupted by loud pro-Palestine protests during the Vienna semi-final
With Eurovision facing its biggest boycott in 70 years, questions are growing over the competition's future.
Fans are grappling with how to react to the withdrawal of Spain, Ireland and others over Israel's participation.
From dancefloor bangers to heartfelt ballads, here are the highlights and low points of Eurovision.