Conchita Wurst
Early Life
Conchita Wurst, born as Thomas Neuwirth on November 6, 1988, in Gmunden, Austria, showed an early interest in fashion and music. Raised in the small town of Bad Mitterndorf, Neuwirth attended the Fashion School in Graz, where he honed his skills in fashion design and production.
Career Beginnings
In 2006, Neuwirth took part in the talent show Starmania, where he finished second. Following this, he became a founding member of the short-lived boy band Jetzt Anders!. However, it was in 2011 that Neuwirth first introduced the character of Conchita Wurst, a bearded drag queen, to the world in the talent show Die große Chance.
Conchita Wurst
The character of Conchita Wurst is a symbol of tolerance and acceptance, with her motto being "Be the best version of yourself rather than a bad copy of someone else." Wurst's first major success came in 2012 when she participated in the Austrian pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, where she finished second with the song "That's What I Am."
Eurovision Victory
In 2014, Wurst represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Rise Like a Phoenix." Despite initial controversy over her selection, Wurst's powerful performance and the song's message of rebirth and transformation resonated with viewers and judges alike. Wurst won the contest, bringing Austria its second Eurovision victory and catapulting her to international fame.
Post-Eurovision Career
Following her Eurovision victory, Wurst released her debut album, "Conchita," which included the hit single "Heroes." She continued to perform at various events, including the United Nations Office in Vienna, where she gave a speech in front of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Activism
Wurst is a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She uses her platform to raise awareness about issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community and to promote acceptance and tolerance. In 2015, she was invited to the European Parliament to give a speech on diversity and tolerance.
Personal Life
Wurst is openly gay and has been a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community since her rise to fame. In 2018, she publicly announced that she is HIV-positive, using the announcement to raise awareness about the disease and to combat stigma.
Discography
Wurst's discography includes her debut album "Conchita," as well as several singles, including "Rise Like a Phoenix," "Heroes," "You Are Unstoppable," and "Firestorm."