Conchita Wurst in a talk

The answer to division? Radical friendliness!”

They have a long history together: Tom Neuwirth, aka "Conchita Wurst", and Martin Zerza.

(Bild: Lukas Feix)

The mood in the country and the imminent political turning point following the FPÖ's victory in the national elections are of no concern to "Conchita Wurst". All the more reason for her to focus on the good and beautiful things in life. A conversation about standards, tolerance and cordiality. 

"Would you like a little more?" - This question, which is usually asked at the sausage counter, is the order of the day for Tom Neuwirth aka "Conchita Wurst" (35) and Martin Zerza (34). The two artists are currently touring Austria and Germany as "Frau Tom und Herr Martin". On Saturday, they will be stopping off at the Csello Mill in Oslip, Burgenland, with their variety show.

"Inspired by Hildegard Knef, Edith Piaf, Erika Pluhar, Cissy Kraner and Helge Schneider, we have written humorous and thought-provoking songs with which we reflect on everyday life, lifestyles and encounters with other people. We sing in Austrian - in other words, the way our beaks grew," say the ex-Starmaniacs, who competed against each other in the ORF casting show in 2006.

Tom Neuwirth, the innkeeper's son from Bad Mitterndorf, as a 17-year-old on "Starmania". Even then, his talent stood out.

(Bild: ORF)

One of his rivals was Martin Zerza from the Carinthian Gailtal valley. Although the chemistry between the two was not immediately right, today they are "like brothers".

(Bild: ORF)

"Should listen to each other more"
Today, the Styrian and the Carinthian are best friends. But that wasn't always the case. "We didn't like each other from the start. Instead, we held up a mirror to each other, because we both come from rural areas and were confronted with the same problems as children and teenagers. It took us a while to admit that we were quite similar," says Zerza, alluding to her homosexual orientation. But through mutual friends, their paths crossed again and again and one day they were inseparable, "like siblings who argue but know that they belong together." Neuwirth nods in agreement: "If we all listened to each other more, we could discover that we have much more in common." 

To soften social gender constructs and awaken people's curiosity and tolerance for one another, they deliberately play with gender clichés on stage. After all, Neuwirth, aka Conchita Wurst, has been an icon of change and the LGBTIQ community since winning the Song Contest ten years ago.

Neuwirth graduated from fashion school and rocked the ESC. Zerza studied popular music and also works as a hairdresser in Vienna.

(Bild: Lukas Feix)

Her handling of the FPÖ victory
This could soon change under a possible chancellor Herbert Kickl. After all, the FPÖ leader considers the legal equality of queer people to be a "moral and intellectual neglect that the Freedom Party is fighting against." For Neuwirth and Zerza, repression against certain minorities and marginalized groups is therefore entirely conceivable.

All the more reason for them to practise "radical friendliness" themselves and invite others to do the same. "We live in a divided and insecure country. Only an open, benevolent approach can make us all less hostile towards each other and bring us closer together again," appeals Neuwirth, who is currently celebrating his acclaimed theater debut at the Rabenhof in Vienna.

Tom Neuwirth in his role as Archduke Ludwig: "I've tasted blood and want to act even more."

(Bild: Marion Ida / Rabenhof )

Dusty thinking my ass
In the play "Luziwuzi - Ich bin die Kaiserin", he plays Archduke Ludwig Viktor, probably the Habsburgs' weirdest, most eccentric and most complex figure. Because he was not born a girl, the youngest brother of Emperor Franz Joseph I liked to be dressed up by his mother as a child and later often had himself photographed in provocative costumes and women's clothes. And although acting out homosexually was a criminal offense at the time, he made no secret of his inclination.

"I think it's important that his story is told because it shows that there have always been people who don't conform to the norm. The imperial family still loved and supported Ludwig, proving that cordiality counts for more than any double standards," says Neuwirth.