Končita Vurst, who triumphed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 with her hit "Rise Like a Phoenix," looks almost unrecognizable 12 years after her victory. The performer, whose real name is Tomas Nojvirt, has undergone a significant transformation in recent months. During a meeting with Austrian President Aleksandar Van der Bellen, Končita wore a blue outfit with a yellow detail in the pocket and a black t-shirt, according to Citymagazin.rs.

Her hairstyle was also more subdued, featuring shorter cropped sides and a neatly trimmed beard. This look marks a significant departure from her long hair and glamorous dresses, which were part of her 2014 appearance alongside her recognizable beard. Končita’s transformation is a stark contrast to the flamboyant style she once embodied.

Končita won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014, bringing the event to Austria for the 2015 competition. This year, the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is being held in Vienna on Saturday, May 16, marking the third time Austria has hosted the event.

Nojvirt began performing as Končita three years before his victory, maintaining the beard as a protective symbol while pairing it with feminine clothing and makeup.

Why Did Končita Vurst Leave Eurovision?

In a social media post in January, Vurst wrote that Eurovision had "shaped" her life but that it was time for a "change." The statement, signed "Tom," read: "Eurovision has shaped my life. It was my stage, my home, and my launching pad. I am deeply grateful for that chapter."

"As an artist, change is the only constant. From now on, I will step back from the Eurovision context. My focus will shift to other professional projects and allow new things to develop. My relationship with Eurovision remains part of my history, but it is no longer the space for my next steps. This is a personal decision, and I will not comment further," the post states.

Majkl Kron, executive producer of Eurovision 2026, responded to her decision: "We accept and respect Končita Vurst's decision to withdraw from the Eurovision context. Her contribution is an important part of the competition's history in Austria. We wish Tom Nojvirt all the best in his future projects."

Eurovision 2026 Controversies

This year's Eurovision will be one of the most controversial in recent history, with five countries deciding not to participate due to Israel's involvement. Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain have made this decision due to the conflict in Gaza and the continuation of Israel's participation in the competition.

Three of those five countries — Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia — have gone a step further and announced they will not broadcast the 70th edition of the contest. This marks the largest boycott of Eurovision since 1970, when Finland, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden turned their backs on this musical event.

During Eurovision 2025, two demonstrators attempted to disrupt the performance of the Israeli representative Juval Rafael, who had survived the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Rafael performed the song "New Day Will Rise."