Bulgaria’s VICTORIA has taken to the Rotterdam Ahoy stage for her first rehearsal of “Growing Up Is Getting Old” at Eurovision 2021.
Bulgaria’s VICTORIA “Growing Up Is Getting Old” — Eurovision 2021 first rehearsal
Oliver: Goosebumps. We open up to a starry night, with VICTORIA sat alone beside a photo of herself and her father. It’s intimate, warm and cosy. She’s wearing all grey — an outfit not too far removed from those of Roxen’s dancers in the “Amnesia” music video. And as the song grows, wider camera angles are incorporated to give the illusion of the stage growing too. VICTORIA stands during the second chorus and is revealed to be on a rotating platform that looks somewhat like a cliff’s edge. There’s brilliant cohesion between the track and the set design and it fully immerses the listener in a three minute snapshot of raw emotion. Vocally perfect, too. It’s hard to imagine a world in which this doesn’t qualify. Bulgaria is a contender for victory.
Padraig: Simply stunning. I expected big things from Victoria and Bulgaria, but I wasn’t ready for the onslaught of emotion that hit once she started to sing. Live this takes on a whole new power. Victoria’s vocals are exquisite and brimming with emotion. The staging isn’t what I imagined. Instead of clocks we find Victoria sitting atop a rock in the ocean. She’s on the floor looking at a picture of what appears to be her and her dad. Meanwhile, the sands of time fall, they trickle through her fingers when she reaches out. The cliff appears to rotate, but that might just be clever camera work. For the first time since Saturday, I can confidently say that an entry has winner vibes.
Reaction to Bulgaria’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2021
View this post on Instagram
What do you think? Did VICTORIA live up to the hype? Let us know in the comments below.
Read more Bulgaria Eurovision 2021 news here
Photos: EBU / THOMAS HANSES
So Victoria does one rehearsal and all of sudden she’s a contender to win?….. Okay…
Just like everyone pretty much ignored Fuego until the first rehearsal. Those things happen.
This song has always given me the feels, I get nostalgic, think about my kids when they were young etc etc, maybe it taps into the covid era reflective mood. So glad the staging elevates the song – looking good.
A pyjama and sleepy sand, I’m falling asleep zzzz…
Good luck Victoria.
Start downvoting me. Don’t understand all the hype. This is not going to take a position in top5
My winner since day 1. I knew Victoria wouldn’t disappoint!
GO FOR THAT TROPHY QUEEN!
I’d be glad if she wins, she’s delivering the whole package and it’d be nice if we get a new winner this year.
those pictures above give me winner vibes they are so beautiful, Thank God my girl Victoria Killed it.
Bulgaria missed Tel Aviv because they had no money… I hope Sofia 2022 is possible.
Beautifully done, Bulgaria is a serious contender now!
I don’t understand this. The snippet maybe is not so good. It looks a introvert in the wrong way for me. I don’t think it is a winner. If there is going to be a ballad I think Switzerland is way better.
Me too. And I don’t understand all the hype. Nice song, good singer, solid performance.
The best staging so far! Fantastic voice and a beautiful song that relates af! I haven’t seen the big 5 yet, but my vote is going for Bulgaria!
Sounding, and now looks too, like a winner since day 1.
I still think Tears Getting Sober was a better song and could have been winner material. This one is not as good but staging could give it top 10
Simple but smart ! I was very bored with the videopclip and this performance makes me feel the song in a new way. I can now relate to the song and to the fact that she believes in the lyrics and the meaning. I am impressed by her and I would not be sad at all if she wins. Congrats !
Wow! I love this song even more now. Getting winner vibes more than in any entry so far. Bulgaria, France and maybe Russia are the contenders for the win this year
ooh glad someone is saying Russia could win!
We knew Victoria’s team was very confident about the result, they chose this song over fan favourites because they had already in mind this special staging.
Bulgaria is going to top the result of 201`6 and 2017. Jury favourite.
Winner alert, ladies and gentlemen. The sand moment can be *the moment* of the year.
I called this as a winner a while back among friends – for me it is coming down to Bulgaria, Russia and Malta
One of the best stagings so far
Ok, forget what I said about the public underrating her, this is top10 material for sure
I believe both Malta and Bulgaria are very eager to host the ESC 2022. Now the chances of Bulgaria have increased considerably, not only because of their own stunning staging, but also due to Malta’s staging which looks as a sort of self-sabotage.
Bulgaria is more worthy this year
Why is it mor worthy ? It is a Swedish music industry product with international staging. Both are the same to me.,
I feel that you are right, and it really all comes down to if Malta gets better staging or not
I LOVE bulgarias staging and i think that it makes Victoria shine. I am so happy that she is alone on stage and doesn’t have 4 back up dancers (like almost every other entry). Hope she wins, my favourite rehearsal until now.
Imagine Victoria having dancers lol
Best elevation of a song by staging , no doubt.
Yessssss! That’s how to do it!
This is definitely giving me winner vibes, or at least top 3! The moment with the sand looks so beautiful and I think its something commentators will be able to easily convey!
Very creative and stands out, I expect Bulgaria to climb the odds after this rehearsal.
This looks like a jury winner. Let’s see though how this does with televoting. It’s not enough to be topping only the 50% of the vote, duncan won by just being in the top 4
Still where’s the song ?
Ok I will be kind, I don’t care if Bulgaria wins. This would mean Malta don’t win and it’s all that matters.
@Bean. Well. Make sure other countries have their selection show second most popular broadcast in their country and you’ll maybe see some results there
I pity you. I honestly pity you! You must lead a wonderful life lol
Wow! We just have found the jury’s winner!
Will be also the winner on televoting? That’s my only concern!
But it definitely deserves a top3!
Televoting winner – no way..
Such a winner attitude…
okay then. what’s the best hotel in sofia?
okay then. what’s the best hotel in sofia?
Yesss so so so happy that it went well 😀 this looks good on the photos, I’m looking forward to see it through my screen! You get my vote Bulgaria <3
all of you haters are always grasping for SOMETHING to attack victoria for. this was the best staging of the day by far. hope you’re all ready for her to place top 5
To be fair same with all favorites. They couldn’t wait to drag Destiny down after the first rehearsal. No doubt the same will happen with Gjon in a moment.
A waste of staging and voice, in such a pretentious and forced song.
Do not feel obliged to like all the songs…
Love when delegations bring innovative staging to the contest!
I like it, but it also gives me Panda (Austria 2019). This is not a read, I loved Panda and it should have qualified. But just saying.
It’s nice and simple. The song is.. okay it’s not that bad actually. The staging elevates it. And this performance will touch people’s hearts because of her father. Wouldn’t be surprised if it wins because of it..
still too dark a theme ..to be considered televote top three which it will need. Top ten for sure…but what will Switzerland offer?
Sand queen deserves top 5
Must admit the staging is good. Very good! Can’t help it,though – I always wait for the song to finish (and I’m not one for a bop!)
So far, only Bulgaria gives me winner vibes. So simple
Great staging but song is still meh. Probably will get a result like Australia 2019. 9th place in grandfinal.
Bulgaria from 3-6 place with juries and from 6-10 with televote. In total from 4-7 place in final.
spot on
what about Dami?
Been saying it since I heard it first, I’m glad other fans are seeing it too.
Don’t get why it got so much hate on here. This is just stunning.
Even though this outfit is not the best I think that she should definitely have simple clothing. It adds to the vulnerability and the staging in general.
Let’s see her outfit in the second rehearsal. If they fix this aspect as well I see them as a dark horse for victory!!
Wow. I just didn’t expect that. Like in the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s little prince book this girl gonna tell us a story that will be remembered and praised for a very, very long time among our big and hearty Eurovision family!
WOW!! I am extremely pleasantly surprised. Very nice staging concept. The sand is an amazing addition. Best staging so far together with Ukraine. Dark horse for the win guys!!
People are sleeping on this
But I see Bulgaria winning this
Easily this should be an odds favorite to win, but it’s been harshly underrated up until now.
I expect it shall rise in the odds after today today.
Genuinely happy for Victoria and Bulgaria.
Being on top of the bookies since the beginning I dont see it that it is underrated . It has been in top five for a long time.
Should be higher when you actually see what is above it in the odds. But I expect that will change
Sleeping AHAHAH that’s the word. She also needs a hidden lining singer, no comment.
No comment
But yet you commented
WOW! I can’t wait to see the video. I heard only positive comments about her live performance and staging. Go girl!