Conchita Wurst

Thomas Neuwirth, born on 6 November 1988, is an Austrian singer, actor, media personality, and drag queen best known for his stage persona Conchita Wurst. Also nicknamed "the queen of Austria," Neuwirth achieved international attention after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 representing Austria with the song "Rise Like a Phoenix."

Neuwirth was born in Gmunden and raised in the rural town of Bad Mitterndorf in the Styrian countryside of Austria. Growing up in a mountainous region, he recognized at an early age that he was different from other children and experienced prejudice as a gay teenager in a small village. During his youth, he occasionally wore skirts to kindergarten and school. At age 14, Neuwirth moved to Graz to attend school with a focus on fashion, drawing inspiration from fashion icon Victoria Beckham.

Neuwirth's career began in 2006 when he finished in second place on the third edition of the Austrian television show Starmania. In 2007, he co-founded the boy band Jetzt Anders!, which disbanded later that year. Neuwirth subsequently developed his drag persona, Conchita Wurst, a bearded woman created as a statement that anyone can achieve anything regardless of their appearance. Conchita made her television debut on Austrian Broadcasting's Die große Chance in 2011, finishing sixth, and came second in the Austrian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. She also appeared on ORF programs including The Hardest Jobs of Austria and Wild Girls.

In September 2013, Austrian broadcaster ORF announced that Conchita would represent Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen. Her selection attracted controversy and criticism from conservative groups and politicians, particularly in Eastern Europe, while receiving support from Western European commentators. On 10 May 2014, Conchita won the contest with 290 points, securing Austria's first victory since 1966 and becoming the first solo performer without backing singers or dancers to win since 1970.

Following the victory, Conchita became an icon for the European LGBT community. Her win led to high-profile appearances, including performances at the European Parliament and the United Nations Office in Vienna. In June 2014, she headlined the London LGBT Pride Parade in Trafalgar Square, where she was introduced by actor Ian McKellen. She subsequently performed at LGBT Pride events across Europe, including festivals in Madrid, Stockholm, Antwerp, and Manchester.