Seriously I just don't get why straight people are so afraid of the fact that gay people can get married.
— Conchita Wurst
I am sorry to disappoint you, I'll never compete ever again at the Eurovision.
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.
If you are prepared to admit to others and to yourself who you really are, then you can have a fantastic life. Of course, you need to have a thick skin to get through it all.
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.
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 have many fans in Russia.
I mean, I would love to see the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, dressing up in a more cosy way, if she feels like doing it.
Be the best version of yourself rather than a bad copy of someone else!
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.
I do love to have pictures taken and to pose and wear fabulous gowns, so red carpets are a comfort zone.
From Vienna with Love' will build a bridge across the globe from Vienna to Sydney, full of music, love and fun. I am really looking forward to performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and fabulous guest artists who all have ties to Vienna and telling a story with music that inspired me and songs from my debut album.
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.
I dream of a world where we don't have to talk about unnecessary things like sexuality, who you love.
You have to be respectful. Don't ask for respect if you are not respectful. It's not depending on your sexuality, your gender or the colour of your skin. It should be in the focus to live a respectful life.
Kids go crazy for the Krampus tradition and dress up as little monsters - they have beautiful masks, handmade from wood. Our village in Austria puts on a special play in which the creature tells an old beggar to repent his sins; when he refuses, he's beaten up by lots of Krampuses at once.
Being LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender) in Russia is anything but fun.
Winning the Eurovision contest is just a door opener, this is not that you're set for life. Definitely not, don't mistake that, because you really have to work your behind off to sustain in this business.
It is wonderful but kind of surreal when people turn to me and say they see some kind of an inspiration.
I'm not a politician, only a singer.
It was shortly before my 18th birthday when I came out and admitted that I was gay.
You know, I have a very thick skin.
I always say that my biggest goal is a Grammy, and on the way there I will grab everything that is given.
I find it hard to believe when people tell me I inspired them in any kind of way because I think to myself, 'well, why?' It's just me - not Madonna.
I would prefer a society where we don't have to explain ourselves. But I get that many people just need those labels to understand it. And if I make my situation or beliefs more understandable by putting labels on it, I'm happy to do it.
It's strange that a little facial hair causes that much excitement.
I decided to be this bearded lady in 2011.
I'd done drag since I was 14, for special occasions, and in 2010 a friend of mine with her own burlesque group was looking for a host. During a party I was just fooling around, taking the microphone, saying stupid, funny things, and she asked me afterward if I wanted to host her burlesque show every Saturday.
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.
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.
My goal is a Grammy so my songs will have to be good.
As I always say, you don't have to love me, but you have to respect that I'm here.
I like to party at Christmas. We always have a duck, which my brother prepares.
I have so many incredible fans in Russia, I really badly want to go there.
If you want to be a bearded lady then you are allowed to do that because you're not hurting anybody.
I'm aware of this bearded lady being something that is not really common.
I took to the Eurovision stage as an opportunity to talk to Europe about tolerance and acceptance.
When not dressed as Conchita I am a man, and a lazy one at that.
You can't reduce a country to its tolerance or intolerance.
But I would not refuse a meeting with Putin. I would like to spend a week with Putin, so that I could better understand him.
I don't think I have the power to change anybody.
The whole process of telling my story to my ghostwriter was so intense, after all, because he would ask me questions that no journalist would ask me. Things like, 'How did it smell at your grandmother's house?'
I'm just a singer in a fabulous dress, with great hair and a beard.
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.
I grew up in a small Austrian village, a quite conservative one, and I was the weird little boy always dressing as a girl.
My biggest inspiration in 'fashion is definitely Miss Victoria Beckham.
I don't see myself as a political figure.
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 most important thing will be when we actually stop talking about sexual orientation. The moment we reach that point when that is not important any more, we've reached a big goal which is a long way in front of us.
