US EditionEurovision Winner Conchita Wurst Cuts Ties with Contest
Conchita Wurst is focusing on new professional projects and distancing from Eurovision amid a boycott by five countries protesting Israel's participation, organizers said.
- This year, Conchita Wurst announced she has cut ties with the Eurovision Song Contest in an Instagram post by Thomas Neuwirth, marking an indefinite withdrawal.
- At the end of last year, five countries — Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia and Netherlands — confirmed they would boycott the 2026 contest in Austria, and the European Broadcasting Union introduced stricter rules on government voting campaigns after criticism of Israel's campaign.
- Conchita framed the decision as personal by writing 'I am moving on to focus on other professional projects and to let new things evolve' and said Eurovision Song Contest shaped his life.
- Observers say Wurst's move will add to what is set to be the most contentious year in Eurovision's history as Eurovision will mark 70 years at this year's contest in Vienna, Austria.
- In December Nemo returned their trophy to EBU headquarters in protest over Israel's participation, while Eurovision's stated values of "unity, inclusion, and dignity for all" clash with the EBU's decision amid the UN inquiry's conclusions.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst cuts ties with contest
Conchita Wurst was expected to play a key role at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in May. While the decision is rooted in personal and creative evolution, the withdrawl comes amid growing boycott for the 2026 event.
Conchita Wurst has been successful since her victory at the Eurovision Contest in 2014. On Tuesday 13 January, Rise Like's Phoenix performer seized his social networks to make a totally unexpected announcement.
The Eurovision Song Contest and Conchita Wurst actually belong together like pot and lid. But now Tom Neuwirth, who is behind the art figure, explains to withdraw "from the Eurovision context". He does not want to explain this more closely.
Bearded Conchita Wurst, who conquered Europe in 2014 with the emotional ballad Rise Like A Phoenix, is leaving the Eurovision story behind. The long-time supporter of the festival published a statement online, in which she wrote, among other things: "My connection with Eurovision remains as part of my history and not as a place for my next steps." She cited personal reasons as the reason.
In 2014, Conchita Wurst brought the ESC victory to Austria. Now the artist surprisingly announces her complete withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest.
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