Conchita Wurst

“One year, my parents hired someone in the village to dress up as Krampus for a surprise visit to our home - and they regretted it for ever. I went to the door and this huge creature was standing there. I think I passed out.”

“It is truly unbelievable to actually really know that I have fans all around the world.”

“I would love to have the whole world involved and still call it Eurovision.”

“The private person Tom Neuwirth and the art figure Conchita Wurst respect each other from the bottom of their hearts. They are two individual characters with their own individual stories, but with one essential message for tolerance and against discrimination.”

“It's strange that a little facial hair causes that much excitement.”

“Conchita is a symbol of the fact that you just can live a wonderful life when you do what makes you happy.”

“I don't see myself as someone you should look up to.”

“I dream of a world where we don't have to talk about unnecessary things like sexuality, who you love.”

“I love women. I grab every inspiration I can from women and for me it's a bit of fun.”

“It's obvious for example that when I am Conchita, I use the female toilet, and when I am Tom, the male toilet. I can assure you it's never a problem for women, they love it.”

“I decided to be this bearded lady in 2011.”

“It is wonderful but kind of surreal when people turn to me and say they see some kind of an inspiration.”

“My biggest inspiration in 'fashion is definitely Miss Victoria Beckham.”

“I just want everybody to be respected. It shouldn't be politics because for me it's not, one of the most natural things in our society should be to be respectful.”

“Eurovision is this bubble of inclusivity and respect, and it's so beautiful, if only the whole world would be in this bubble. It is a family that will never forget about you.”

“Being a teenager, a gay teenager, in such a small village is not that much fun. I am part of the gay community and most gays have a similar story to mine.”

“I didn't invent the bearded lady. It's been around for ages, and there are so many bearded drag queens out there - but they're not in the mainstream as I am.”

“Be the best version of yourself rather than a bad copy of someone else!”

“Dressing as a woman meant I began to accept my body, and I enjoyed seeing women get jealous. They ask me how I get my waist this size; how I manage to walk in heels as if I've done it all my life.”

“I got an invitation to speak in the European parliament and I met Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the U.N. I took those opportunities to talk about what I thought was right. That those people, who are more important and powerful than I am, think I'm relevant enough to give a speech is mind-blowing.”