Austrian drag performer Conchita Wurst became the 59th winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in Denmark on Saturday after performing the song "Rise like a Phoenix." Wurst's win was the second for Austria, also having won the contest in 1966. Check out the performance below:
As expected, the win prompted angry responses from several Russian politicians. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Russian politician Vladmir Zhirinovsk expressed his disapproval by saying, "There is no limit to our outrage. It is the end of Europe. It has turned wild." Earlier this month, fellow Russian politician Vitaly Milonov referred to the Eurovision song contest as a "Sodom show" and called on Russia to boycott it altogether because Wurst was taking part.
Russian Eurovision fans seem to have felt different however, as Conchita Wurst's track became the number one download on Russian Itunes, as well as topping the charts in many other countries. Wurst took the opportunity to send an optimistic message to her supporters in her acceptance speech, saying, "this night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. You know who you are—we are unity and we are unstoppable."