In May 2014, fans of the international vocal contest "Eurovision" were eagerly awaiting the appearance on the big stage of the most extraordinary and scandalous character - the Austrian singer Konchit Wurst. Long before the music competition, the image of Conchita Wurst was replicated by numerous print publications, Internet sites and television. When the vocalist appeared on the stage, the audience was shocked, and the viewers could not take their eyes off the TV screens, wondering who in front of them was a guy or a girl. If the girl (and this was evidenced by the long curls of luxurious hair, elegant evening dress and bright makeup), then why with a beard? And if the guy, what factors, except, in fact, beards, this indicates? Then the first musical chords were heard and the audience was imbued with a song. However, an unofficial international scandal was just beginning to gain momentum. After the speech, the Internet filled with photos Conchita, her beard, as if drawn in Photoshop, angry comments from users and admiring responses of their opponents. Who is Conchita Wurst in everyday life? Why did she choose such an image?
A real image or lifestyle?
Having seen Konchit Wurst without makeup, you will never guess that this cute guy is Konchita. Unpainted Conchita, without a beard and make-up, is a pretty-looking guy born in 1988, whose mother is Austrian and his father is Armenian. His name is Thomas Neuwirth. Vocal future winner of "Eurovision" began long before the first appearance on the scene in the form of a travesty-diva. In his youth, Thomas and his friends created a rock band. The team even managed to become popular in Austria, but after a few months it ceased to exist. After the first attempt, Thomas, however, decided to master the profession of a stylist, not a musician, having graduated from fashion school. In 2006, the guy decided to take part in the casting, where experienced jury members selected talented young vocalists for participation in the music contest. And Thomas coped with the task, taking second place at the competition. A few months later, he, inspired by success, again created a musical team Jetzt anders !, which included four more guys. And again history repeated itself: several months of work, unexpected popularity, disintegration of the group. But this period was a landmark for Thomas Neuwirth - he confessed to the whole world that he was a homosexual.
The real image of Conchita Thomas tried on in 2011 during the next casting show Big Chance. The audience, who saw the bearded girl on the stage, reacted ambiguously. But attention to her travesty-diva still attracted. Since then, Thomas has disowned his gender and real name. He considers himself a girl who was not fortunate enough to be born in the corresponding body. Psychologists are sure that such changes are a consequence of teenage experiences of a young man. The fact is that at school he never enjoyed attention, he did not have real friends, they mocked him. And when Thomas realized that his orientation was unconventional, the situation was aggravated. Today Conchita Wurst assures everyone that her image is a challenge to those who have not learned to be tolerant , to understand people who think and live differently.
The reaction of society
The appearance on the world stage of a bearded vocalist with a pleasant melodic voice did not pass without a trace. If the majority of compatriots supported Konchit, then in Russia the travesty-diva caused a storm of indignation. Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church announced that they can not accept the position of Europe, which approves such reincarnations . It's strange that neither Verka Serduchka, nor Sergei Zverev, nor Boris Moiseyev such a reaction cause, although they use cosmetics, shoes and clothes from the women's wardrobe. Maybe it's all in the beard?
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