She’s the bearded sensation from Austria who took Europe by storm back in 2014. Or should we say ‘he’? The legendary Conchita (Wurst) is back with a new, spectacular project – but also a redirected image and a preference to be called a man.

For his new record From Vienna with Love, Conchita wants to repeat the great experience he had last year with the Wiener Symphoniker. The world renowned Austrian orchestra collaborated with Conchi in 2017 live on stage of the Concert Hall in Vienna. Owing to widespread acclaim and mutual respect, they decided to record an album together which will be released on 19 October. You can already pre-save the album on Spotify. Check. Done. Did it. Boom!

The new album not only features well-known diva ballads in English, but also Conchita’s first solo song in German “Für mich soll’s rote Rosen regnen” (It should rain red roses for me). It’s no doubt one of the most iconic German songs ever and was released as a single last week. Sung originally by Hildegard Gnef, the most difficult thing about recording the song was finding the right singing style for it. Gnef was known for her extremely deep singing voice. Imitating this was a real challenge for Conchita.

Seeing Conchita during the on-going promo tour with less make up than ever before isn’t necessarily a huge surprise. During an interview with the German media last year, the singer behind the act already stated that he — Tom Neuwirth — has to “kill” Conchita soon, since he has achieved everything possible with the glamorous bearded lady. The right time for that seems to have come now!

Whilst promoting his new record, Conchita appears in casual outfits that are more androgynous and masculine. Almost no make up, no flawless hair and no women’s clothes. Conchita still exists – but he’s a man now! And he ain’t afraid to show those muscles.

But it’s more than just the look. During a recent interview with TV host and journalist Michel Abdollahi he not only revealed he needed therapy sessions after Eurovision but also that he spent a lot of time thinking about the whole gender-topic. Conchita realized that the clear identification of his gender is really important for him and for those who don’t really know who they are yet.

He doesn’t want people to confuse his drag act with being transgender (which he isn’t). That’s why he feels like using the term ‘she’ in connection with Conchita isn’t current anymore. He revealed he feels more comfortable if people identify him as a male from now on.

He explained even more in recent interviews. In a German TV talkshow Conchita said that his second name Wurst appears to be way ‘too funny’ for his stage act. People tend to make jokes about drag queens and people like him anyway. So the name Wurst, which can be translated as ‘It doesn’t matter’ and often gets used in Germany and Austria, would downplay the importance of his message and therefore isn’t appropriate anymore. But he also understands if this whole topic is confusing to some. So he won’t be mad at you if you still call him Conchita Wurst.

To celebrate his upcoming album, Conchita will give a special concert in Vienna one day after the release of it. On 20 October he will present fans from all over the world his cover versions from his new record. Next to his German single Für mich soll’s rote Rosen regnen there will be worldwide hits like All by myself from Eurovision 1988-winner Céline Dion and Barbra Streisand’s The Way We Were…. all performed together with the orchestra.

Are you curious to hear Conchita’s new music? Do you like his current style? Or do you miss the good old diva moments from 2014? Let us know in the comments below.

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Maria Martinez Moreno
Maria Martinez Moreno
5 years ago

Conchita foi maravilhosa, mas é preciso entender que o grande talento é do Tom, que está com sua voz lindíssima, e o melhor de tudo, visivelmente feliz. Parabéns querido Tom, todo sucesso do mundo para você! Quem é seu fã verdadeiro, continuará sendo fiel a você!

Crystal
5 years ago

Yep, that’s true. Tom has always identified as male, it’s just he’s been in character for so long. I’ve always referred to drag queen characters as “she” and their performers as whatever pronoun they prefer. However Tom chooses to present himself to the world (whether as Tom or as Conchita), he’s shown us how ridiculously talented he is and us fans and appreciators are along for the ride.

I’m pretty sure he’s said he’s keeping the beard, no matter what. I’ve seen a few pictures of him in his early career and he looks incredibly babyfaced without the beard.

romanian
romanian
5 years ago

Sorry for my bad English, but I am so happy right now. My country Romania had a referendum against LGBT, and it lasted 2 days to give time for traditionalists to vote against LGBT, but guess what…LGBT HAS WON , is so huge for Eastern Europe. I love you so much my fellow Romanians, you are great, I love you so so so much.

romanian
romanian
5 years ago
Reply to  romanian

Yes, good news. People that voted were traditionalists, but it was about how many people actually went to vote. The right thing was to stay at home. From now on we are unstoppable.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  romanian

That referendum was one of the biggest wastes of money ever. €18 million to change literally NOTHING because same-sex marriage still isn’t possible in Romania, and if one day it’ll be legalized, it’ll be regardless of what the constitution says (I believe the EU will put a lot of pressure for this to happen).

romanian
romanian
5 years ago

Yes it was wastes of money and it seems that are EU money. EU is asking why their money are used for a referendum against lgbt. The result was still a huge shock for Romania, because all took for granted that Romania is traditionalist. Well, guess again. Is a very good start against agresive traditionalists. Is a great start. From now on the sky is the limit. Romania now has the weapon to push same sex marriage. No offence for traditionalists, but please let us marry and divorce and everything, all the drama you are going through, we want that… Read more »

romanian
romanian
5 years ago

@Polegend Godgarina
Actually no, nothing can be done against constitution, but is so great that right now the traditionalists that were so sure the whole country is like them, have egg on their faces.

La Signora
La Signora
5 years ago
Reply to  romanian

I always had a big respect for Romanian people and now i know why! Kisses from Italy ??

romanian
romanian
5 years ago
Reply to  La Signora

Amore e baci per il tuo meraviglioso paese.

Ern
Ern
5 years ago

Folks, Conchita was always an act.

She was never the identity of the actual person, but rather a concept, and quite a good one. Most drag acts are somewhat outlandish, but Conchita was more “high concept” and thought provoking.

CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago

It must be said that maintaining a look of diva perfectly capped, makeup, dressed it should be tiring. It still has to go faster to put on pants, a shirt and say “my hair? i don’t Care”:D

romanian
romanian
5 years ago

Right now in Romania is a referendum against LGBT, but it seems most Romanians don’t want to vote against LGBT, and they are staying at home. I’m literally holding my breath. I hope in a few hours I can be proud of my country.

marcus (Day One)
marcus (Day One)
5 years ago

I still listen to the conchita album in my car most days.

I’d love for conchita to release more songs like that album 🙂

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago

I mean, the diva moments of 2014 were flawless but as long as he’s happy, I’m happy <3
I admire Conchita's work no matter what!

T.J.
T.J.
5 years ago

It‘s Hildegard Knef, not Gnef….

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago

On other news, Italy confirmed participation in Tel Aviv 2019 today! We currently have 39 participating countries according to Wikipedia. The ones missing from this year are: Armenia, Moldova, Russia and San Marino.

Rose
Rose
5 years ago

His haircut in the photo reminds me of Loreen’s a little. Before she shaved her head that is.

Pancake
Pancake
5 years ago

Off Topic:
Stella Mwangi (Dusseldorf 2011) is now on Just Dance!

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

I thought he dropped the “Wurst” years ago?

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I just call him Conchita anyway.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

That’s what we live for. Making you comfortable. Ridiculous.

Aufrechtgehn
Aufrechtgehn
5 years ago

And to respect and comfort another human being is ridiculous because….?

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

Idk why but I will still call him “Queen”

Steve
5 years ago

Conchita 2019

Blueshirt
Blueshirt
5 years ago

The famous German singer’s surname is written “Knef”, not “Gnef”. She already was a famous actress before she startet to sing. She had many wonderful songs and even covered Rammstein’s “Engel” as a mature lady.

Lindon
Lindon
5 years ago
Reply to  Blueshirt

And here she is 1952 with Gregory Peck in the Hollywood Movie The Snows of Kilimanjaro
https://youtu.be/BvxHBRnnlBk