Conchita Wurst looks literally unrecognisable in new music video ‘Hit Me’
Austrian singer and Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst in 2015, left, and 2019, right (Nigel Treblin/Getty)
Conchita Wurst has revealed a drastic transformation in a new music video for “Hit Me” and fans are shook.
The Austrian drag star, whose real name is Tom Neuwirth, won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 with “Rise Like a Phoenix.”
But five years later, Conchita has revealed a surprising new look in the video for new track “Hit Me,” which was released on Friday (March 15).
Austrian singer and Eurovision Song Contest 2014 winner Conchita Wurst in the music video for “Hit Me”
The star’s diva persona and long flowing hair are effectively gone, replaced with a short hair style and platinum beard.
Conchita Wurst undergoes shocking transformation for new persona
The artwork for the track bears the name Wurst, with Conchita nowhere to be found.
However, fans were shocked by the drastic transformation.
One Facebook fan wrote: “Love the new look! You are like the modern day Madonna! Changing style and looks so easily and this time it is SPOT ON! Love the song too!”
Another added: “You really are a chameleon, no sign of Conchita, and Tom is barely recognisable.”
Others voiced shock at the new masculine persona, though some tight-fighting catsuits bring some genderfluidity to the video.
Creator Tom Neuwirth planned to ‘kill off’ Conchita Wurst
Neuwirth had spoken previously about a desire to move away from the Conchita Wurst character.
In a 2017 interview with Germany’s Die Welt, he revealed the bearded drag persona had outlived her intended lifespan.
He explained: “I feel like I want to create a new persona… with the bearded lady, I have achieved everything I wanted since the Song Contest victory.”
“I don’t need her anymore… I have to kill her.”
— Tom Neuwirth
Neuwirth added: “I question myself more than ever these days, looking for what I can do well. I am looking for myself, and Tom rebels.
“I don’t need her anymore… I have to kill her.”
Neuwirth also addressed misconceptions that Conchita Wurst is actually a trans woman, adding: “I am and always will be Tom. I don’t want to be a woman.
“I love men, but as a man… when I am dressed as Conchita, men don’t interest me. As a drag act I feel completely asexual.”
The Eurovision diva has always been candid about Conchita’s rise to fame, previously saying he doesn’t feel deserving of the title ‘gay icon.’
He confessed: “I’m not really comfortable, if I’m honest, because I don’t see myself as an icon.
“It’s an honour to be called that, obviously, but I think to be an icon or to be a role model you need to have made an effort… and it takes no effort to be myself.
“So I think that I will keep on speaking out about my beliefs, and I will keep on fighting for what I think is right, and if there are people out there who want to join me, then I will welcome them very warmly.”
Neuwirth opened up about living HIV in 2017 to thwart alleged attempts to expose his status publicly.
