“There’s big potential with this song” — VICTORIA speaks to us about Eurovision 2021 staging plans

All eyes are on VICTORIA. Despite the cancellation of Eurovision 2020, the “Tears Getting Sober” hitmaker has continued to make waves around Europe. And now she’s ready to capture hearts in Rotterdam. The Varna-born superstar will sing “Growing Up Is Getting Old” for Bulgaria at Eurovision 2021.

In an exclusive interview, Wiwiblogger Diego sat down with VICTORIA to find out more about “Growing Up Is Getting Old”, her songwriting processes, and her staging plans for Rotterdam.

Scroll down for a selection of questions and answers from the interview. 

Interview: VICTORIA — “Growing Up Is Getting Old”

You were a fan favourite in Eurovision 2020. The reception of “Tears Getting Sober” was fantastic. How do you feel after that?

VICTORIA: I felt amazing. I didn’t expect the peoples’ reactions. I just made that song with the team and I was like, whatever, I don’t know what’s gonna happen — if people will like it, if they don’t — but they really liked it which was amazing to me. It warmed my heart.

Did you have at some point the fear of not coming back for Eurovision 2021?

VICTORIA: When I heard the contest was postponed, I was like, am I gonna go again or not?  But I’m really thankful that the whole Bulgarian team chose me again.

You had six different songs that you produced, you arranged, you filmed videos. Was that a hard process?

VICTORIA: In the beginning it was hard because I had to make all of these with music production, writing lyrics and finishing all demos, doing it from a distance. And it was stressful because you know, it’s not the same — like we’re sitting here and talking to each other. You have internet, you have a slow connection sometimes. But the team I’m working with is very cool and they think like me. We understand each other. It was really overwhelming, the whole process for me.

The idea of Eurovision 2021 without an audience is likely gonna happen. is it hard for you the artists to represent your country in this, such a big contest and not having a live audience to react to your performances live?

VICTORIA: If it was last year I would be really disappointed, but now I understand the situation and there’s nothing we can do. But the really good thing for me is that we’re still going to Rotterdam which is a really good experience. We’re gonna be on the stage, hopefully, and I’m really thankful for that

What’s the connection for “Growing Up Is Getting Old” with you particularly?

VICTORIA: I wrote half of the song in 2019. That was the start of it. We were on the Bulgarian seaside songwriting camp with different teams. And one day, I wrote half of the lyrics without music, without anything, and another day I had a session, went with these lyrics and told the team: ‘I came up with this weird idea, growing up is getting old’. And they were like: ‘oh that’s a great title for a song’. We just started jamming around it. It was a really magical moment. We wrote the song in five or six hours.

The song, I know, was part of last year’s selection for Eurovision 2020. Does that mean it gets stuck in your head?

VICTORIA: When I heard the contest was postponed, I immediately started thinking what should we do now. I tried to write other songs — which are on my EP. But I don’t know, this song kind of stuck in my head, like you said. And at the end when I saw peoples reactions, and all of the focus groups, I saw that there’s big potential with this song. Especially with the staging. So I hope we made the right choice.

We know Marvin Dietmann is going to be your stage director in 2021. He was the artistic director for 2020. Of course, you didn’t have the chance to show what you were preparing for Eurovision 2020. Are you taking some ideas from that potential staging that was never shown to the world, for this new experience of “Growing Up Is Getting Old?”

VICTORIA: We took a little bit. Just a little bit. But it’s kind of a new direction because the two songs are really different. One of them is darker — Tears Getting Sober — and this one has more of a positive meaning. It has more light. It’s gonna be very different staging from the previous year.

Was Marvin Dietmann’s feedback important for the final decision?

VICTORIA: Yes it was really important. He said this song is the best choice for staging, it has very good potential. I think that’s one of the most important things in Eurovision.

I’m always saying that you’re like the queen of sadness. This is amazing, like you can see and hear your songs and you can cry, actually. How is this connected to the person you are? 

VICTORIA: I don’t know, I kind of like the drama a little bit. I’m a little bit dramatic. But I’m getting inspired from movies, Disney movies, some series — I’m listening to the soundtracks and that always gets me inspired. I’m getting inspired also with peoples stories, my stories that I’m going through — some hard times sometimes — and I like to write about stuff like this. Because everyone can write about the happy side, the bright side. But some people are afraid to even tell themselves that they feel sad, they feel insecure or whatever, like I’m writing in the songs. So I’m really attracted by that, to write stories like that.

This is a different version — just a little bit — of the song we heard in the lyric videos. How did you change it, and why did you change?

VICTORIA: At first, we had to change the song because we had to cut it in three minutes. That was the first change. Then, I just decided that it needs a little bit more push at the end. That’s why I added these lifts at the end you’re hearing. So yeah, I don’t think it’s that much of a change, but it’s an important change.

It’s an important change. Everything is important for VICTORIA, and of course the chance for Bulgaria to win Eurovision 2021. Which I think you’re really excited for. 

VICTORIA: Yes. I’m excited to win peoples hearts.

What do you think of “Growing Up Is Getting Old”? What will VICTORIA’s staging look like? Let us know in the comments below. 

Read more Bulgaria Eurovision 2021 news here