This little lady has clearly taken Europe by storm. But now she's spreading her Austrian phoenix wings and making the trip to the United States. American news sources, from CNN to The New York Times, even The Wall Street Journal and my own newspaper, The Chicago Tribune, are reporting on Conchita's victory.
John Oliver, who is, of course, a native Brit, commented on Conchita's win, and also how the crisis between Russia and Ukraine played out during Eurovision, on HBO's Last Week Tonight.
What is it about this Eurovision result that makes it newsworthy in America? Advances in social media certainly make following the Contest easier nowadays. And, of course, Americans are taken with Conchita's unique look. Eurovision has been around for almost six decades, but there's something exceptional about this year, and that's why it's being reported in the States.
Conchita Wurst is front page news because she, a transsexual played by a man named Tom Neuwirth, won the votes of an incredibly complex and disparate continent. A transgendered woman won before, and a drag queen once came second, but Conchita's win this year is important because of the dangerous clashes in Eastern Europe. Russia, unfortunately, is a nation known for its homophobia and mistreatment of gay people. And they were audibly booed in the arena when they were awarded points. The battle lines have been drawn, and people are taking note. Austria didn't win with just the help of Western Europe, they received votes from almost all of the former Soviet countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Even Russia gave Conchita Wurst five points!
The victory of Conchita sends a signal to the entire world that times are really changing and progress is being made. Eurovision was created in 1956 to reunite a war-torn continent. And it's being used today to mend relations and show the way towards a future of peace.
So, congratulations to Conchita Wurst. I hope we keep hearing about you in America.
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