Austria: Drag artist Conchita Wurst unveils Eurovision entry

Drag artist Conchita Wurst is set to represent Austria at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen.

At a press conference today, the Austrian broadcaster unveiled ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’, the power ballad that will be sung by the bearded drag queen.

Tom Neuwirth, who plays Wurst, first rose to fame in Austria through TV talent show Starmania in 2006, and debuted his drag persona in 2011.

Wurst was initially chosen by the broadcaster last September, and will perform in the second semi-final, to be held on the 8th of May.

If successful in the semi, she will advance to the grand final on May 10th, which the UK’s entrant, Molly Smitten-Downes, automatically qualifies for.

Last year the Finnish entry included a pro-equal marriage protest, as singer Krista Siegfrids shared a kiss with a female backing dancer at the end of her performance of ‘Marry Me’.

As a result of the lesbian kiss, Turkey cancelled a planned broadcast.

The city of Copenhagen has previously announced that they will hold open-air weddings for gay and straight couples in the week of the contest.

Watch the video for ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ below:

• Dec 01 2023

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