14 DAY TRIAL // Since last September, when 25-year-old drag queen Tom Neuwirth was announced as the representative of Austria in Europe’s biggest and still most popular singing competition Eurovision, with the onstage persona of Conchita Wurst, there’s been more controversy and turmoil than the show ever witnessed.
Last night, Conchita, aka the “Bearded Lady,” performed the James Bond-inspired “Rise like a Phoenix” (video of the full performance is embedded below), and won over audiences both in the venue and at home. Her number stood out for the impressive lights show, but most importantly for Conchita’s gorgeous voice.
In an unprecedented move, Conchita became the first drag queen to win Eurovision and proof of how much the performance resonated with viewers came from the fact that she’d already been named winner before the final count of the votes had come in, Reality Rocks informs, as the results for 34 of the 37 participating countries showed her in the lead.
When the final count came in, Conchita had 290 points and was declared official winner.
“This night is dedicated to anyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. You know who you are. We are unity, and we are unstoppable,” Conchita said the acceptance speech.
