Quotes from Conchita Wurst

I have many fans in Russia.

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.

I have so many incredible fans in Russia, I really badly want to go there.

I'm not that powerful to take out the masculinity of a beard.

There's a big difference between when I'm Tom and when I'm Conchita. Conchita uses very proper German; Tom talks in an Austrian dialect. Conchita gets mad if she is kept waiting; Tom is lazy.

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

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

If people really want to know whether I am a woman or transsexual, I take it as a compliment. It means I'm doing my job well.

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.

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'm not a politician, only a singer.

I like to party at Christmas. We always have a duck, which my brother prepares.

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.

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

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'm just a singer in a fabulous dress, with great hair and a beard.

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

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.

I've figured out over the years, you can only hurt me if I love you; if I don't know you, I really don't care.

I can always spot an Australian queen by her high, high end wig. Australian drag queens have the best hair in the world - the best.

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.

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.

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.

I started out as being a diva in a golden dress and now to a more bearded drag artist guy in boots.