 Darja rejected a solo record deal offer by East West Records to pursue a BSc in International Relations at the prestigious London School of Economics.While still at university, in 2003 Darja participated in ITV's Pop Idol (series 2), where she was selected into the last 5 groups of 10 in the competition.After her performance of Shakira's "Underneath your Clothes" Simon Cowell stated that Darja has The X Factor.