CONCHITA WURST

Once I decided to be a different person on stage, I got the chance to be larger than life and over the top, which I love.

If you've got the chance to really speak your mind and do what you feel and express yourself how you want, then this is freedom. Drag is freedom.

I have many fans in Russia.

I was actually a very confident little kid. I would go to kindergarten in a skirt.

It's just unbelievable that nearly every gay human being knows who I am now - that's overwhelming.

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

I'm a drag artist, and we put so much effort into creating characters, so the easiest way to show us respect is to call us by the name we gave ourselves and refer to the gender we have chosen to be on stage.

I always say that tolerance doesn't depend on a country, because there is hate everywhere.

As Conchita, I've got everything that I need to be glamourous and in the spotlight, giving interviews, doing photo shoots. And on the other side, there's Tom, this shy, boring boy. And I love to be shy and boring when I'm in private.

It's my music. If it's not good enough, then that's how it will be.

Being a teenager in a small Austrian village was not fabulous. I tried to fit in and changed myself to be part of the game. I now realise I can create the game.

I want to show the world that if you want to be a bearded lady you are allowed to do it without being discriminated against.

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.

The beard is a statement to say that you can achieve anything, no matter who you are or how you look.

Because of the discrimination during my time as a teenager I decided to live my life as I want it.

I do love to have pictures taken and to pose and wear fabulous gowns, so red carpets are a comfort zone.

I think that anyone who is in any way creative or is creating something, whether an architect or fashion designer, I think if you have the opportunity to create something that is fully you, it frees your mind and your spirit and gives you the opportunity to really find yourself.

It was shortly before my 18th birthday when I came out and admitted that I was gay.

I prefer to do my own make-up.

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

Maybe I'll never get the Grammy. But maybe I will get things that are worth much, much more than any Grammy which could stand on my shelf.

I am sorry to disappoint you, I'll never compete ever again at the Eurovision.

If you want to be a bearded lady then you are allowed to do that because you're not hurting anybody.

The main topic I'm always talking about is equality, and I get that it's politics, but it shouldn't be. It should be the most normal thing ever. There's bullying and discrimination about the colour of your skin, your religion. And it must end.

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.