Quotes from Conchita Wurst

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

It's easy to say, 'This is just a joke.' You know, the bearded lady? And I feel the need to smash it with every performance just because I want to be clear this is not a joke.

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 don't understand why people spend so much time thinking about me if they don't like what I do. I couldn't care less about things I don't like.

I decided to be this bearded lady in 2011.

I'm aware of this bearded lady being something that is not really common.

People only look at my beard for a moment. Then it melts away and it's just another part of me. It's like the most natural thing, that this is what a bearded lady looks like. It's beautiful to see.

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

I love myself and the bearded lady is fun and expresses everything I feel.

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 have a very busy life, and I love meeting people, but I also like to be alone.

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

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

I'm jealous, I'm moody, I'm really not good to be around as a boyfriend.

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

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

When I'm standing in front of all those lawmakers in the European Parliament, then I'm a speaker, when I'm singing, I'm a singer. If I'm on the catwalk, then I'm being a model. That can all happen in one week or even on the same day.

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 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.

I don't focus on negativity, I focus on the good things.

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.

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

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.