2014 winner Conchita Wurst withdraws from Eurovision

A year 2014 Eurovision winner, Austrian drag artist and singer Conchita Wurst announced on his Instagram account withdrawing from Eurovision.

Wurst is one of the most famous Eurovision winners of the 2000s, who rose to international popularity with his song Rise Like A Phoenixwith which he also won the races.

“Eurovision was my stage, my home and my springboard and a chapter for which I am deeply grateful,” Wurst, real name Thomas Neuwirthto write.

In his Instagram post, he says that he wants to focus on other professional projects in the future.

Wurstin the decision will come as a surprise to many, as he has been closely involved in Eurovision both as a performer and as a presenter, and he was expected to play a significant role in the competitions held in Vienna next May.

“My decision is personal, and I will not comment on it further,” he writes. In his publication, however, Wurst does not comment on the polemics and boycotts related to Eurovision, which Israel’s participation has aroused.

Several countries – Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia – have withdrawn from the competitions celebrating their 70th anniversary this year due to Israel’s participation.

2025 Eurovision winner, Austrian JJ eli Johannes Pietsch expressed his disappointment at Israel’s participation in the Spanish The Country -lehdelle in the interview he gave. “I would like Eurovision to be held in Vienna without Israel,” he commented last year.

In December, also the 2024 Eurovision winner, a Swiss artist Nemofull name Nemo Mettlerannounced that he will give up his prize in protest of Israel’s involvement.

Swedish public broadcasting company The SVT according to the report, the widespread visa boycott means that around 74 million Europeans will not be able to follow the event through their countries’ broadcasting companies.

The artists of the new music competition, from which Finland’s Eurovision representative will be chosen, will be announced on Wednesday night on Yle’s live broadcast. New music competition by the book the winner undertakes to represent Finland in Eurovision and to produce a song according to the rules of the European Broadcasting Company Ebu.