Now live on Oe24 TV: Conchita Wurst in a great interview with music expert
Thomas Zeidler and Nadine Friedrich. Now - only on Oe24 TV!
Welcome to Oe24 TV to a very special talk with an
equally special personality and artist. Conchita, thank you for coming here today!
Thanks for the invitation! - Is not quite so simple with your full schedule,
I think! - Yes, I am privileged that I can still say that!
We made it! - Very good! And of course, we are also very happy
that our highly esteemed music expert Thomas Zeidel is here today! Thank you very much! - I am always here, but I have not such a long way as you have!
Yes, and we both have the honour to chat with you today and to sound you
out a bit so to speak! - Please, start it! - So, we're talking about the
themes 'New look, the farewell to the art figure Conchita Wurst', also about your current projects,
your album which you are working on and maybe we can have a little
insight into love? - Oh, yes, please! Hahaha, this will be boring! But very good, bring it on! - Well, we'll see! We will then judge whether it is boring.
But I'd say, let's start with a very current topic. Next week on Saturday, the Life Ball will take place, and you have the honor to host it
together with Verena Scheitz! How are you doing with this task? - It is, well, the rehearsals are insanely funny,
we have very, very much fun! Verena is a true professional and definitely saves me with regard to
the dancing! I would forget many steps if she wouldn't whisper
in my ear: And now we turn around! All right! And it's really a big challenge I have to say, because I consider myself
fumble-footed and therefore, after a few hours of rehearsals I really
do not know anymore where's left or right and stare blankly around! - But that sounds almost like ‚Dancing Stars' and not like ‚Life Ball'!
Well, in cannot reveal too much.
But the whole opening is really a huge production and
we sing and dance and moderate, and you can already guess that it
might be a self-contained play. And I don't know if I'm …
Gern Keszler has already mentioned that … - Did he tell? Ok, good! - … it is not a show but a musical so to speak.
I think to myself all the time, I reveal to much and then I get a text from him and I'm fired!
Yes, but you'll be the new Life Ball boss anyway? - Haha! Well, I have to say, of course, I feel flattered that Gery somehow
contemplates it and he always says: We talk about it. I like to correct him:
We joke about it! Gery Keszler and I sometimes are on the same
events together and he is a bit older than I am,
so he likes to sit down and I always say:
Do not get too comfortable, that's my chair soon. And that's actually all we talk about.
But at the end of the day I have to say: if Gery has the patience
to wait until I have accomplished an event management training,
then we can talk about it again, but at the moment I think I'd be
out of my depths! - And it's a task which really takes a whole year
one must say. For him the day after the Life Ball is already the first day where he begins to organize the next year etc.
Then you really have to be on it with all your heart and your date book is full, isn't it?
It's still full, and I've said that before
I'm very grateful, but I also think that if you do something
like the Life Ball, then ... This is Gery's baby and it's not MY baby
and therefore you would have somehow, how can I say, I have just
such a huge respect that I would not dare to do it!
But you were always part of it in the last years, now in the moderation role, what is so different for you?
What is different? Well, when I sing, I know roughly
what can go wrong, this terrain I know, I know how this works
with the IN-EAR sound etc. When moderating it's a bit more difficult because I also have to transport content and
if that does not come across, you can barely save yourself, which works when singing:
if I forget a line, then I simply do something different!
And then the dance comes to it, which means it will be a triple burden for me.
We will see! I always like to say: it will be something for the heart and not for the eye!
But that is really nice anyway! And I think it is also about that if you have done it a few times
then you feel safer. It is simply unknown terrain, although you have also
moderated at the Wiener Festwochen and one has to say you really did well, right?
I had so much fun! - Yeah, and that's exactly what it's about! - Exactly, and I also think that I may perhaps
allow myself a bit more than professional presenters and that is why it's always okay somehow.
But if this continues, the town hall square will be renamed ‚Conchita Square', won't it?
You do not know, then we'll just celebrate a party every Friday!
Gery Keszler has also already announced, it's this year less about the celebrities
they should not be so much in the centre of attention like the topics of information! What do you think about that?
I think this is a good thing, and I think it is good that the theme is "Recognize the Danger"
with the new association ‚LIFE+' and the very important
message "Know your status!" because that is actually the
most important thing! This is the first step! I don't now the numbers by heart, but I think it's
every fourth person who does not know whether he is HIV-positive or not, and so the problem starts,
because if you do not know ... - Very frightening these numbers, yes - ... what's going on inside of you
the virus is carried on without ... We could stop this epidemic, if everyone knew about themselves.
I think it's good that this subject has been brought to the fore and ... It is a
two-edged sword because with these great names and with this great
show you generate attention, and of course this is nothing bad, but
it is a pity when everything is overrun by it!
And I think Gery is a bit cautious with namedropping this year
and is more focused on transporting the message.
So, we do not need to ask you now which celebrities will come, because you probably are not allowed to say it anyway.
No, I can not say it, but I know it.
But Naomi Campbell and Joss Stone are already set, are you looking forward to meeting them?
Are they set? Or do you want to lead me up the garden path?
It's already in the newspapers! Are you looking forward to meeting them?
Well yes, of course, it may sound a bit stupid, but
I already met Naomi a few times and it is always a
phenomenon, and you just don't know how: does she do it? How can someone be so beautiful? Incomprehensible!
Conchita, we would like to address also another topic. Which a lot of people bothers.
New look, I've seen photos by Inge Prader … Wow, for starters: compliment! - Does that affect so many people?
Yes, looks really cool, very masculine, something else since 2014 and the photos,
it really is a completely new look now so to speak, you are going to bring out your masculine side now again
Very many people are afraid that they will never see Conchita again!
When will she be definitely gone, the art figure Conchita? - Oh, I do not know when
she will be gone, everything was a bit exaggerated, but I
also understand it, or how can I say ... It also honours me a bit that there is any interest
at all about what happens to me, because all could say:
'Yes, pffft, okay. Whatever, do what you want.'
So beautiful how humble she still is, our Conchita!
But that is true, they could also say: 'Pffft, whatever! Do what you want!'
Well, I believe we are all in the best case in continuous development and that
is the same with me, and I also bore myself very fast
and therefore I have to do something and not least as regards my appearance.
Fashion changes too, and so I have to say, that it
won't give a Conchita in the golden dress ever again,
except perhaps for the 20 year anniversary and it still fits, who knows!
You haven't worn dresses now for a long time?
Actually I didn't wear dresses for a long time, for a lot of reasons
simply because ... I have perhaps gained weight a bit and things just do not fit any more!
But also for convenience or my ...
Now you have to show us where you have gained weight, as lithe and lissom as she is!
I would like to thank my trainer
who upgraded my upper arms!
Is this easier, I think in the morning it's now a bit faster?
It's a bit faster. The makeup is not really, because it is not less, it is only different.
This is of course also fun, to redesigned my face.
But the clothes are more comfortable, definitely!
What about shaving legs?
I don't do that anymore. I love every hair on my body!
Very fine, that means you're saving your time now! - Definitely! - You will not miss that!
You probably do not have time for that anyway, on your tight schedule!
No, no, wait! I used to have much more to accomplish, and I managed it! So that: no!
One just needs to get up one hour earlier? And paint the face and dress and pluck!
Yes, or on the eve. Girls have a lot to do!
I think this is a bit unfair. You can simply ... Everyone should reinvent themselves.
What would interest me: Conchita the art figure, it is also somehow, well, one puts this garment on. You paint your face and so on.
Perhaps also a role into which one slips and something that can hide yourself a bit.
How are you doing now, that you will show yourself, as Tom Neuwirth?
But that's so funny, I never said that! I don't mean to do that!
Well, I find this very exciting, because I've received so many offers.
Really from great magazines, they said they would offer me a
photo series and without make-up and back and forth, and I thought to myself: yes, that is totally nice,
but I don't intend to do that! I do not intend to show myself without make-up in the public. It will always take for me a kind of
costume, of exaggeration, because that is simply my outlet to express myself.
Because privately, I am really very shy and very, very boring. - Really? - Yes!
In other words, you go shopping with make-up? - No, no, not that, but everything about the public and the stage,
I just need that, it is a bit like my ...
how can I say ... my walking aid, so I can
be that person I want to be in public, but I do not need it at home.
So, I like to be there, well ... - But nevertheless, would you say you have found a little more
into your masculinity? - Definitely!
Well, I also think that I have ... I have lived my feminin side very, very much. I still live it and we alle have
a male and a female side! I felt very comfortable with that,
very secure, and if you get older and you, well, in my case, I thought. So....
The story is as follows: In these many months, when I was almost only at airports and in hotel rooms,
you do not always get the best food.
It has to go fast and somehow it is not always very healthy and
then I noticed something on my belly that I did not know before, and I told myself: no, no, no, no, no, not with me. So....
And then I went to Sebastian Daum, my great coach, and
I said to him: Look, Sebastian, before I'm 30, this'll be gone! And as I said,
with this workout, and that I've now turned a little bit
towards my sporty side as well, found motivation,
has probably changed something in my mindset
and when you see, that one can even look a bit more
masculine, one thinks: alright, that works too, okay! Let's try this out!
That's why ...
Speaking about trying: how's your love life?
How's my life … yes, trying is the correct word!
I always say to my parents, when they are at my concerts, they are always ashamed ...
I have a lot of songs about love, of course, and I always say in my concerts,
because I also love to talk, that I love to sing about all facets
and phases of love, and one of these facets
is the physical love, and I always say to my mother: No, don't worry,
I will not say that on the way to real love I'm having a lot of sexual intercourse!
And then she always falls into ...
So that's the reason … why your parents are ashamed when they are at your concerts
We all search for the big love and on the way there we can also sometimes be wrong!
But would you say, are you more the single or relationship type?
I don't know. I think this is perhaps also
a bit depending, what is on my mind, I have
a lot to do with myself, I also think a lot, and I
like it a lot to be alone because I need the time alone with me. I also notice
the time passes since the Song Contest and the more you think
about: what will be the second album be like, what is happening in me, my
changes, etc. ... really very, very many questions appeared and at the moment
there is not so much room for another person if I am honest.
- Just because of the second album or ... - No, not because of the second album, but because of
the things that happened and I have to say quite honestly, I probably
had not really time during the first year or the first one and a half years
to think about what actually happened, and now I have a bit more time
and therefore I am definitely in a process which is
very exciting but which raises many questions and many possibilities.
There are many possibilities now and it is sometimes not so easy
to sort out and decide: what do I actually want.
I could imagine, if someone meets you then there is
a certain distance or respectfulness, I mean: your oversized art figure Conchita, your mega success ...
But the funny thing is: I do not see it like that at all! Well, I do not see it at all,
If I go clubbing and you have a flirtation and in
the best case you end up kissing, because: that's what it's all about!
There should be more kissing in general! More love for everybody!
And sometimes I am, I have to confess, sometimes I am lucky
that it is not immediately clear, but when you are in a club and especially
in Vienna then that person will find out, what I do professionally, and that is not always an advantage.
Because the shadow of Conchita is so big?
Because it is so big, and not really because people
react unpleasantly, but suddenly, as you say, they have an
absurd respect, where I think to myself: but you do know I have
drunk 18 tequila? What exactly do you respect now?
And you can obviously handle a lot of alcohol? I mean: 18 Tequila ... wow!
No, oh God, I am a very, very cheap guest!
You have already spoken about music
Exactly, the second album is coming, as you said, you also have a lot of dates again?
Yes, I have lovely live dates, I am very happy about that, with my new
band under the glorious direction of Severin Trogbacher, who is really as
good as gold! Making music with a band is really something quite different and in
our fast-paced time, everything has to work as uncomplicated as possible,
I've done a lot of performances with half playback, of course
meaning that the music comes from the boxes and you sing live. And you're
really trapped there, at the end of the day it's a bit like a
karaoke show , only you should know the lyrics yourself! And with a band, that's something
different, and all of these rehearsals we had, have also opened me
up musically, because suddenly I can improvise and
we coordinate with each other, and the songs sound different, and it all becomes
more exciting and interesting, and I love it that it is
something different live. So there are, of course, the studio versions
that you know when you have my album, but live we try
to make it always fresh and to build in
cover songs that are then interwoven with my own songs, and that is really an
exciting process and incredibly much fun!
And yes, I have some nice summer dates in Austria ... which would be ...
Now it comes ... my manager sits outside and thinks: Do you know the dates by heart?
So, on 17th of June I play in ... Help me, you got them here ...
I have them here ... - Burgarena Finkenstein! I'm really looking forward to that, because that is very special, it is a very great location
That is outdoor ... and when it rains ... I'll be angry! But it won't rain.
But at least no dress will get wet, right?
No not that. Maybe the hair
The fans will be there despite the rain I think. On 17th of August Kasematten Graz, and on the 19th of August, Donaubühne Tulln
These are your next concerts where we can see you
And then there is the symphony tour again in Germany.
Yes, that is also something special!
Indeed, I was allowed to start orchestral music in Sydney, and
my team and I have worked hard to get this project
to Europe, and we have already given an orchestra (concert) earlier this year
in Linz at the Brucknerhaus with this program. And this is now being continued
in Germany and that is something very special and exceptional
because not least do orchestras cost a lot of money and that you get
this gift to go on tour with an orchestra, even if there are only three dates,
that's ... I love that! For me it's …
How can I say ... this world ... to be surrounded by 60 people and when you are
carried by them, and my songs sound completely different and I can play a
completely different genre, my voice is different, I perform differently compared to
the band version and that makes it so exciting. And I think then you can also
visit both concerts because it will be totally different!
Will you also play new songs? Are they already ready that you can ...
Yes, I try some songs and this also is an essential
difference to the songs written for me,
to those I have co-written, because those are very personal
stories and those are my pictures and my thoughts and my words.
And I always have a brief moment of real nervousness, what people will say now
Yes, because it is something self-written, yes.
Yes, how does that feel? I think you are not that classical songwriter, who already wrote lyrics and romances
and so on at school, but you did start later in life with that.
I am really not talented! But I am lucky to have
people who are able to iron out this deficit. So I found a way
for me where I am relevant in this songwriting process and
what I can contribute. I am always glad when somehow
a rhyme of mine remains or an idea for a melody, then I am always quite excited,
but I am involved in this process and I say quite clearly: No, I would not
say it like that, no, that was not it, it was like this, and I felt like that
and we were here and there, and there were these flowers and
there was that ... I give the authors all the information they can somehow
process, and then it is just a great feeling
and then I say self-confidently: I co-wrote this song
even if I did not write the words. But without me
this story would not exist. Yes, and sometimes, as I said, a rhyme
remains, and then I celebrate that for three days!
Where does this creative process take place?
I've written a lot in London, I've written a lot in Berlin, I write here as well.
We have incredibly great artists in Austria who unfortunately are forgotten too often, not least
Lylit - Eva Klampfer - who wrote me a song .... oh, the queen!
And so I travel around and one of course is always in contact via Skype and send
files back and forth. It is truly a very active process and ... it's hard work!
Do you write about love, too?
Of course, I write about love!
And about kissing!
And the song about 18 Tequila!
Song Contest - did you watch it? What do you think of the winner?
Well, I do not want to say: I already knew it! I tweeted it a week before. I have proof of this,
I have tweeted it a week before. I did not know it, but I wanted it very much, because it has been one of the
best contributions I've heard for many years
This was pure music, that was pure passion, and I do not want
to belittle all pop productions and it's hard work, and this is
really a huge effort to write a catchy song,
but there you go: when you cook a song by recipe, as it should be well received
then that can work out perfectly. But if
someone converts his heart into sound, then that's incomparable.
This simply goes straight to the heart.
At the Song Contest there was also played your hit in a very way-out version at the second semifinal
I loved it! I love folklore music and ... I loved
the version! I also would have liked to record it like that again, I think.
And the candidate from Montenegro, who wanted to imitate your style a bit, so to speak,
that's what was written in the media. - Really? - He had a long braid, he had
a skirt, a beard, a dark beard.
Did you see it as if he wanted to copy you or ...?
No. Not at all. If you want to copy me, you have to
wear a dress and a beard and ... no, I would not have seen it like that. No, I know other artists who
are closer to what I have done. But I met him in London
and he was very entertaining. I thought he'd made it to the finals, but ... well!
You've mentioned '20 years Song Contest' and the dress, if it still fits - so, you still have the dress?
I don't have it! It's actually at the Austrian state television
in a showcase or … no: I think currently it's at the ABBA Museum in Stockholm.
Worthy place!
Quite briefly about Nathan Trent: what chances did you expect him to have, and
are you satisfied with this result, did he deserve it or could he have done better?
Well, everyone who dares to be there deserves to be at least in the top ten
I think Nathan was great, I also met him in London for the first time, that was
absurd. But he really blew me away! Well, live ... he sings really good!
Every note's perfect, every phrase, every movement and therefore
it is natural ... you can now say it is a pity that we somehow
did not make a better result but at the end of the day it doesn't matter, because he
used this gigantic stage and he delivered excellently and
it is a great song and was a great performance.
But you have to say unfortunately that in this series of felt 3,000 terrific
performances and great pop songs there is the danger that one just falls into oblivion!
But you will never be forgotten, you are the only living Austrian Song Contest winner!
Yes, for the moment.
Is that going to happen again? Do we have another chance?
Whether I go again to the Song Contest ...?
Would you do it again?
So on the one hand, of course, Austria will once again win the Song Contest.
We do not know when .... well, as for me, we can wait a bit now ...
I wish it to every candidate!
And if I will ever be back at the Song Contest in
the future: definitely, but not a candidate.
Conchita, where do you find your resting phases? We have heard everything you have to do, where you are involved
so there's one appointment chasing the other.
You come from Styria, from Bad Mitterndorf, the parents are innkeepers, and you are
internationally known, in the big city, in the big world.
Is there still a contact to the more rural area that you say
you rest there, looking for the idyll to relax or something?
Well, I like to go to my parents home when the inn is closed, because I love to
meet our neighbors and I like it when people are there and I am also glad that
people have interest in me, but when I'm at home I would like
to spend time with my parents and this is of course difficult when
they work all day and I am entertaining our village so to speak and
therefore I love to be home when the inn is closed. And that is
really nice because then we take a lot of time and we eat breakfast for hours
Yes, I love being in the country, but after three days
I'm happy when I get home again.
Do your parents push you with things like marriage and children?
Oh pfffft …! No! My parents are completely relaxed!
Is that an idea at all, a wish that you say: someday, a family, children ... is there such a thought in you?
Well, I think it's great when people start families and in
whatever facet, because a family does not always have to be biological.
But I think at the moment I am in the wrong phase of my life to
be able to answer this question finally, because at the moment ... no!
Do you still live yourself too much?
Yes, right now I am enough for myself.
Could you actually imagine, to have someday a really completely normal profession
something completely different than the show business?
Well, I've already done that. I know this, because after Starmania, after the boyband, which
did not work, I knew: well, someone has to pay my rent,
that's probably me! And then I went to H&M from one day to the other
and worked there. I think I would definitely choose
again a job not in the public.
I do not know if I would go back to H&M, not because it was not funny, but it is insanely tiring!
You'll probably have to sign more autographs than you'll sell merchandise!
So they would not be happy with me, my superiors.
But is not like this: Are you not set for life? Do you still have to work?
Yes, I have to work!
I love my grandmother for saying: one does not talk about money. And that's why I don't.
Good advice from the grandma!
But your life has changed a lot, back then you've been working at H&M,
you can not compare it to your life now where you're
together with stars and celebrities, including Jean Paul Gaultier, the star designer
some kind of friendship one can say. How deep is
this friendship? Are those more superficial small talks or meetings
for the public, or is there really something behind it, so that one'd say
there also are a deeper conversations more often?
Well, you have to say, first of all, we meet because we are at an event,
because joint projects are pending, and that is why we meet. But it is
always nice that before and afterwards there is always enough time to go to dinner
and just talk. That is: I would not say now that I am on his
speed dial button, and he is not on mine.
But when we talk to each other, we also talk about private things
and how it goes, and about visions, and I also like to squeeze him out
how did you become Jean Paul Gaultier? What does it take?
So, as a mentor?
But he probably also asks: How do you become Conchita, right?
No, he did not ask me, he sees that, this is a wig and a beard and ...
But we have good and nice conversations and not least
because of him I can meet amazing personalities. So, last time
I had dinner with him ... I'm sorry now I have to make a little name-dropping
because I was simply such a fangirl in this situation!
It was Jean Paul Gaultier, vis-à-vis sat Nina Hagen, Catherine Deneuve, Nana Mouskouri
who was there ... Ellen von Unwerth. It was absurd! It was absurd and we
had so much fun! And I thought to myself: Oh God, I laugh about Nana Mouskouri's jokes, what's going on here! It's awesome!
How are dealing with that? A few years ago you would probably have never dreamed of it
and now you are part of the whole so to speak
And I do not feel that! Well, I always feel as a guest, I always feel very privileged that I can sit there
and I am also really, as I say, reserved and
discreet because I do not want these personalities
to be compelled in any way to talk to me. But yes, it's exciting.
Well, there are barely … I think there were 48 people
on the moon, there are 50 - if you count it up - people who won the Song Contest
since Johnny Logan won several times - you have to ...
I did not know that!
What an enrichment for mankind!
You have now downplayed this, but that's really something, I mean you know how it was, when you landed in Vienna and ...
It is something very special and it really
is something I can now say in retrospect, which actually
also does a lot with you, and also imposes many tasks on you,
many challenges that you are allowed to face
at the end of the day. But I have not won the Nobel Peace Prize!
Do you think that this also has to do with your origin from more bourgeois circumstances,
from rural areas, your parents probably very settled people
that you are still down to earth? Because I believe that not
everyone after such a success really is as modest as you sit here today and talk?
I don't know. Thanks for that but my parents, as I said, are very relaxed, and my
brother and I have been raised very relaxed, and we
praise ourselves when it's relevant and not for any ... oh, wow!
Well, there are also other stars, who really show off! ‚Here I am!'
Quite honestly, I do not know how I would be, if I'd have 6 Grammys
on the shelf! I have no idea, I do not know how I would be if I had come here with a jet!
There are probably more people who have 6 Grammys than those who won the Song Contest!
So beautiful how you ... you really make me feel good!
You're about to leave floating!
You have mentioned the Peace Nobel Prize, which is, of course, an extremely distant topic, but with your
movement 'Unstoppables' you have also given people a lot of strength.
This is also something that I am not aware of, because at the end the day I always say: it is only me and I say so
much nonsense! But I have to accept that
when people meet me and say: I have been inspired by what you have done and said
to change my life, to find my happiness, to open up, however ...
It really is hard for me to accept, and I've always
denied this at the beginning, and I've almost asked to
leave that be, because it's nice to say that,
but I can not believe it. I have hurt some people,
they didn't feel taken seriously by me.
Because they thought: well, do you think I'm lying to you?
Why should I tell you this? I think this is actually quite unfair of you
because you take it away from me, that you gave me this! This is
like: it is worth nothing! And I was so sorry for that and
that's why: it's difficult for me because I do not see myself as big
as others maybe see me, but I've learned to accept that and
to say: if I am this for you, then I thank you for sharing such a
wonderful feeling.
Yes, I've learned that.
But it's also a very nice feeling, right? To help other people and to know that it inspires someone.
It's nice, but it still has not clicked.
But your behaviour is extremely eloquent, there is probably no one in pop business
who speaks as eloquently as you do. Are there not some political parties and
want to place you in front of their carts and say: she would be good for us?
I don't know. I think I might be representing things for a few parties
which could be interwoven in an election process or
election campaign, however, but I do not really get involved,
and even if I say something politically,
I try to speak above party lines because at the end of the day I do not know enough
What do you say about this government struggle, which has been going on for months now?
I think for the outside world this is great, we love to have elections!
We are crazy about having the choice and yes, we always decide again!
The company that makes the envelopes will already tremble, right?
'Will we make it this time?'
But you are going to vote, right?
Of course I'll vote! That is really a duty that you ...
it is a right, which is actually a duty for me
and if one does not vote then this is really bad.
Conchita, finally, one question: what do you wish for the near future?
What do I wish for the near future? That I can welcome many of my fans at
my concerts, I would be very glad about that,
that my album develops in good shape, that everything is going well and
that I find answers to many questions in my head!
Very nice, very fine! Thank you very much for taking the time!
Thanks also to Thomas, and the dates, which of course you can also
find online on Conchita's homepage, when she is where to hear and to see.
So we go into a very short commercial break and then are right back for you.
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