On Saturday night, Conchita Wurst, the drag alter ego of Austria’s Tom Neuwirth, won the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, her overwhelming popularity trumping the bigotry of social conservatives who called for a boycott of the competition because of her participation. Wurst — who uses female pronouns which in character — slayed the competition with her song, “Rise Like A Phoenix,” which totally stole the show and the hearts of people all around the world.
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“This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom,” she said in her acceptance speech. “You know who you are. We are unity. And we are unstoppable.”
My favorite thing about Wurst’s triumph is that she won because she genuinely had the best song and gave the best performance; her beard, which stands in stark, fabulous contrast to her otherwise traditionally feminine beauty, was seemingly a non-factor in her victory. Her supporters wanted her to win for her incredible talent, not because of or in spite of the ways in which she is “different.” Kick. Ass. Watch her performance of “Rise Like A Phoenix” above and her acceptance speech after the jump! [CNN]
Original by Amelia McDonell-Parry
