She’s the bearded diva who won Eurovision 2014 — but now Conchita Wurst‘s days are numbered. Conchita’s alter ago Tom Neuwirth has revealed he plans to “kill” his drag creation. But not until after Conchita releases her second album later this year.
In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt am Sonntag, Tom revealed that he felt he had achieved all he could as Conchita and it was now time to move on. “I feel like I want to create a new persona. Maybe not even me. But with the bearded lady, I have achieved everything since the Song Contest victory. I don’t need her anymore.”
Conchita isn’t disappearing just yet, though. There’s still a new Conchita album coming out later this year. But after promotion for that is over, Tom is very clear: “I have to kill her”.
A change is already in progress. Fans have noted that Conchita’s appearance and demeanour has been changing over recent months. The bearded lady is now looking more like a long-haired man.
Conchita has been wearing less feminine makeup, she’s been favouring pantsuits over gowns and she’s been singing in a lower register. Fans experienced the transitional Conchita in her recent performance of “Satellite” at Unser Song 2017.
In recent weeks Conchita has released a number of videos, where she has delivered edgy versions of contemporary hits and pop classics.
Her cover of Rag’n’Bone Man’s “Human” reveals Conchita singing in a deeper tone than usual, bringing a Cher-like quality to her voice.
Meanwhile, Austria is gearing up to send another bearded singer to Eurovision. Nathan Trent will represent Austria in Kyiv. His song, which is self-written, will be released on 28 February.
I would rather have more Conchita than covers of generic acts like Justin Bieber and Rory Graham
@Stoppable? You do know that the unstoppable quote was only used and highlighted to stress one very important message back in 2014 … “Russia you can’t do s*** against us” .. The message still remains but it’s time to hand it to someone else to follow through … just not Lolita Zero … nobody’s got time for lip synchers on a gay club. And pretty sure no gorilla is suitable for the job.
Thank God … nobody can perpetuate a character publicly for so much long … it’s suffocating to live up to such expectations of being Conchita 24/7 .. sooner or later the Bertold Brecht act would end cause it became … meh … And this guy has such a remarkable voice … does he really be to be in drag all the time to showcase his talent? It is no longer necessary to boo Russia … so drop the curtains and be yourself Tom as anybody should do.
Well, killing her off just means an opportunity to “rise like a phoenix” for album no. 3 in a few years. Can’t wait! Good luck, Tom.
To be honest, I don’t really mind. Just like she said, Conchita finished her duty. I just hope the next album would be as good as the first album.
lmaoooooo
not to be that one person but i’m deaddddd as soon as the 15 minutes/3 years of fame passed the conchita persona is being thrown away
her win looks a lot more gimmicky now 😉
It’s sad because Conchita did such wonderful things for so many people. However, we love Tom whether or not he uses the Conchita persona. He has done a lot, she has done a lot, and I believe that Tom will continue to do so with or without Conchita.
Maybe Conchita is a guest judge on season 9 of RuPauls drag race as it says she feels like she’s achieved everything she could so maybe she was waiting for that!!!! :))
(I know it’s a stretch but let me dream)
An on & off HIATUS would be much more preffered than to just ditch permanently
the fierce legendary alter ego that made him mega famous & SOMEONE to begin with….
Without CONCHITA Wurst
he would now be just a nobody who?
to all of us….
#ByeFelicia(or Tom..) :-//
I think Tom will be comedian.
Fascinating to see all the conjecture in this terrible written piece from someone who doesn’t seem to be able to read what Conchita said properly. Chances are she will be around for a long time. If she isn’t, she will lose most of her fan base as Conchita is interesting, Tom Neuwirth is not. Then again, he is from Austria. And Austrian artists don’t seem to have much of a clue about what the world wants as can be seen from how few of them anyone knows about. So if he does kill Conchita, it wouldn’t be an enormous surprise.… Read more »
Sad to see Conchita go but the new alter ego might be fun to see.
@(J)ESC Fanatic
I don’t understand it either seemed kinda flat all the way through also sounded like first few notes of “Every breathe you take” all way through just with different lyrics over the top.
You see I would love to actually just have Tom. Why rename yourself? Tom is massively talented. I want him to continue as a unique artist embracing both his masculinity and femininity and all the shades and diversitys inbetween that make us unique. He is a unique singer and happy to embrace all reflections he presents into the world. Iv loved Conchita as I think I have never viewed her as anything but the authentic Tom and hate the term bearded lady. The whole image is fantastic, inspirational but right at the heart is a lot of authenticity and talent.
A lot of people put up a drag persona (or even just a persona- Bowie did it as well) because they’re too shy to be out there as themselves. It might help them overcome stage fright etc.
Neuwirth rebranding?
Cool.
At least we’re getting a 2nd album before legend Conchita joins Sasha Fierce in the alter egos’ graveyard.
He needs to kill her now and start his new career as a real artist or continue with her as Conchita. But this transition period is just awful.
@Purple…….I’m totally in BDSM mode.But frankly I’m so pissed off by the transparency of Corruption by RTVE that I’m channeling it in my comments.Either they should have been fair or they should have done a better job at hiding their unfair ways. Why do I get the feeling that you’re liking the candor of my comments;-)
Someone call 911.
@(J)ESC Fanatic: Read your wiwi nickname out loud a few times and you may start understanding why you just can’t get the hype.
As others have said, she needs a big funeral with fire, glitter and strobe lights!
@Robyn
I think that should have been in the article! 😀
@rigged: First spanking and now beating? :O Hahaha!
@(J)ESC Fanatic
You will be beaten black and blue, hurting all over you, by the fans of ‘Calm after the Storm’.Hush sweet baby.
Here we go again, complaints about The Netherlands 2014 not winning. I will never get the hype with that snoozefest.
Speaking as someone who also has an alter ego on stage, this makes me quite sad; but I do get where Tom is coming from. Conchita was born out of a creative idea, and that persona became special. It’s not just an ordinary drag act – it represents acceptance of gender diversity in all its forms. No longer will the barriers between ‘male’ or ‘female’ hold up when Conchita appears on stage, and that’s not only really creative, but also really important to those who don’t fully identify as either gender. Having said that, I can’t wait to see HOW… Read more »
Thank you Conchita .Rise like a phoenix is amerzing song. when 2013 i first hear i hate it but then 2014 the more listen conchita’s live preESC tour perfomence the more I love it . Hope new Tom’s another alter ego bring another eurovision trophy .Good luck 😉
She was unstoppable until unstoppable was no longer useful.
Good then. No one will miss Conchita. 😛
Can Conchita collaborate with RuPaul first?
Let’s be honest, she’s been looking more and more like Jesus in a Jumpsuit recently, but I can’t wait to see the next incarnation. In the meantime, thank you, Conchita, for your amazing love and understanding and unbelievable humanity, even to those who dissed you. You are an inspiration.
Conchita’s funeral will be fabulous and UNSTOPPABLE.
Ohh! I’m so happy to hear it! I always hate it, as I hate every alter-ego character and every drag act (I’m not a feminist, but I think it offends all women). So it was very noticeable, how he tired whole last time. I was really dissapointed in 2014, especially, when great song from Netherland did’t won. I believe that the use of the image, mask, especially such as Conchita, it’s just unfair play. Hope Tom find his own way as a real person.
i can’t blame her… wearing make-up and walking in heels all day must be so damn tiring.
It’s sad to see Conchita dying like this. She was supposed to be UNSTOPPABLE.
I hope she will have a last tour and big funeral. She was the Queen of Europe. R.I.P Conchita.