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Austrian singer Conchita Wurst, winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, has announced that she is withdrawing from Eurovision altogether.
Conchita Wurst is one of the most famous and iconic Eurovision winners of the 21st century, amassing fans around the world thanks to her Eurovision song ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’.
In a statement signed by Tom, she said: “The Eurovision Song Contest has shaped my life. It has been my stage, my home, my stepping stone and a chapter for which I am deeply grateful.”
“As an artist, change is the biggest constant for me. From now on, I will be withdrawing from the Eurovision context. I am moving to focus more on other professional projects and on evolving new ones.”
“My association with ESC will remain part of my history and not as a step to the next step. My decision is personal and I will not comment further,” she wrote.
In response to this statement, Eurovision 2026 Executive Producer Michael Kron said: “We acknowledge and respect Conchita Wurst’s decision to withdraw from the Eurovision context. Her contribution is an important part of the history of the Austrian Song Contest. We wish Tom Neuwirth every success with his future projects.”
Conchita Wurst’s decision to distance herself from the contest came as a surprise, as she has continued to be involved with Eurovision in recent years by performing at the contest and hosting events, and was expected to play a key role in the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Vienna next May.
She said her decision was personal and she didn’t want to elaborate further, but the timing of this statement goes beyond a decision rooted in personal and creative evolution. In fact, Conchita Wurst has not mentioned the growing controversy surrounding the 2026 contest. This year will be the most controversial year in Eurovision historythis decision was made amid a growing boycott.
At the end of last year, five countries announced this: Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. They will not participate in the 2026 tournament.protested against the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to remain in the contest.
In December, Nemo, the winner of the 2024 contest, announced that they The trophy was sent back to the EBU in protest of Israel’s participation..
“Eurovision says it stands for unity, inclusion and dignity for all people. These values ββhave made this contest meaningful to me,” Nimmo wrote on Instagram. “However, Israel’s continued participation during what the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry has concluded to be genocide shows a clear contradiction between those ideals and the decisions taken by the EBU.”
Eurovision strives to remain apolitical. However, many have accused the EBU of hypocrisy regarding the situation in Israel, as Russia was excluded after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and Belarus was also excluded a year earlier due to President Alexander Lukashenko’s contested re-election.
Following Nemo’s movements, 1994 Eurovision winner Charlie McGettiganHe also said he would return the trophy.
Austrian public broadcaster ORF, host of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest; It was confirmed that the display of the Palestinian flag in the audience seats will not be prohibited. Nor will it censor boos directed at Israel’s performances.
Next year’s Eurovision will be held in Vienna. JJ won the 2025 eventdefeated Yuval Rafael from Israel. Although Mr. Rafael won in a televised vote, Israel was criticized for running an advertising campaign in support of Mr. Rafael, a scandal that led to the EBU. Stricter rules introduced for 2026 contest.
The 70th Eurovision will be held in Vienna on May 16, 2026.