If you heard what sounded like a braying mob on May 18, don’t be alarmed. It was just the sound of more than 10,000 people freaking out in Vienna’s “Ballhausplatz” as they welcome homed Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst.
The bearded lady’s life has changed dramatically in the week since she won Eurovision, but she says she will never forget her Austrian fans. The “Queen of Europe” reprised her winning song “Rise Like a Phoenix”, and “That’s What I Am”–her song from the 2012 Austrian national final.
Before Conchita’s open-air-concert, Werner Faymann, the Austrian federal chancellor, invited her to the chancellery building to congratulate her and to discuss her message of tolerance.
“It’s important for Austria, and for the whole of Europe, to be tolerant of everything,” he said. “Conchita showed that Austria is in the best way of being tolerant and that fact makes me and whole Austria proud.”
Conchita still has her feet on the ground. She was hesitant to stand on the building’s iconic balcony and wave to her fans. As she said: “The balcony is a big honour but I think its better when important people do that job!”
Many Austrians were skeptical about Conchita representing their country, but it now seems that the majority have fallen in love with the sausage-flavoured diva. Despite winning Eurovision, having Austria behind her may be Conchita’s biggest victory of all.
Patrick Melbler contributed this report from Austria. Follow him on Twitter @eurovisionboy77. You can also keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following wiwibloggs.com on Twitter and Facebook.
Photo: Milenko Badzic (ORF)
Oh crapola.
amazing how austria suddenly loves eurovision.. awesome!