Mon May 12 2014
The 25-year-old performer, whose real name is Tom Neuwirth, took the Eurovision crown in Copenhagen despite initial expectations that the eye-catching performance would be too controversial in socially conservative countries. - AP Photo/Frank Augstein
Austria won this year's Eurovision Song Contest early Sunday with "Rise Like a Phoenix" sung by bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst. - AP Photo/Frank Augstein
"We are unity, and we are unstoppable," she said after winning the glitzy competition with 290 points compared with 238 points for runner-up the Netherlands, in what Eurovision fans had anticipated would be a more closely fought race. - AP Photo/Ronald Zak
Since the contest was launched in 1956, voting has often been tied to politics and the 2014 event was no exception, with the audience jeering countries that announced giving points to Russia. - AP Photo/Frank Augstein
Singer Conchita Wurst representing Austria who performed the song 'Rise Like a Phoenix' hugs the trophy as she is surrounded by media. Azerbaijan and Belarus both gave top marks to Russian entry "Shine" by the Tolmachevy Sisters. -AP Photo/Frank Augstein
Even in Austria, the leader of the right-wing FPOe party had called the act "ridiculous". "I have very thick skin. It never ceases to amaze me just how much fuss is made over a little facial hair," Wurst told AFP. - AP Photo/Ronald Zak
Austria's Wurst didn't become one of the bookies' top candidates until Thursday's semi-final, amid reports that the drag act had prompted shocked petitions in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. - AP Photo/Ronald Zak
"I have very thick skin. It never ceases to amaze me just how much fuss is made over a little facial hair," Wurst told AFP on Friday. - AP Photo/Ronald Zak
The Eurovision winner, who was visibly overcome by emotion after accepting the prize, secured most of her "douze points" from western European countries including Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands. - AP Photo/Frank Augstein
The Eurovision winner, who was visibly overcome by emotion after accepting the prize, secured most of her "douze points" from western European countries including Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands. -AP Photo/Frank Augstein
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