Conchita
Wurst was born Tom Neuwirth on 6 November 1988 in Gmunden/Austria. The young
artist had always dreamed of a career in showbiz. It all really started in 2006
when he took part in the talent show Starmania.
In 2007, he joined the boy band jetzt
anders which however only survived for less than one year.
Tom
graduated from the Graz School of Fashion in 2011 and created his drag persona Conchita
Wurst who came second in the Austrian preselection for the Eurovision Song
Contest 2012. Conchita uses the she when in drag and has recoded three singles
so far including Rise Like a Phoenix. A
modest journey – till now!
Winning
Eurovision this week ensures Conchita a place in the GLBT pages of history and
deserves all of our respect and thanks.
She was faced with some protests before the competition, highlighting a
rift between Europe’s progressive liberal side and the traditional values and
nationalist rhetoric of Russia and some other nations taking part.
