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Conchita Wurst ’s triumphant Eurovision win on Saturday has been dubbed “the end of Europe” by one outspoken Russian politician, but it seems the Austrian drag artist’s performance was enjoyed by many of the country’s voters.
For the first time this year, a breakdown of who the public and juries chose as their favourites has been released and, according to The Week , Russians ranked Wurst third.
As the results came in during the live show, she received five points, meaning that it was the judges who marked her down, as the two results are averaged.
The “Rise Like A Phoenix” singer, real name Tom Neuwirth , came second out of 26 in the Armenian public vote, with Belarus placing her in fourth.
Perhaps these results are less surprising, however, as Wurst herself has said that "eighty per cent of autograph requests come from Russia and eastern Europe".
Before the song contest, petitions in the aforementioned three nations had called for “pervert” Wurst to be edited out of state broadcasts as she would “insult millions”.
Even Armenia’s entry, Aram MP3 said the bearded Wurst’s lifestyle was “not natural” and she should “decide whether she is a woman or a man”.
So, when Wurst was crowned victor , she took the opportunity to stand up for gay rights in the face of her homophobic critics , in front of an estimated 180 million viewers.
“This is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom,” she said, in tears. “We are unity, and we are unstoppable.”
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Try for free In pictures: Eurovision 2014Show all 32 1 /32In pictures: Eurovision 2014 In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Conchita Wurst representing Austria celebrates after winning the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Cleo of Donatan & Cleo representing Poland performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Molly Smitten-Downes representing Great Britain performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Andras Kallay-Saunders representing Hungary performs during Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Singer Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs the song 'Rise Like a Phoenix' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Firelight representing Malta performs during the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The band Softengine representing Finland perform the song 'Something Better' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Firelight representing Malta performs during the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Singer Sanna Nielsen representing Sweden performs the song 'Undo' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The band Elaiza representing Germany perform their song 'Is it right' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Singer Ruth Lorenzo representing Spain performs the song "Dancing in the rain" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Sebalter representing Switzerland perform during Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Teo of Belarus performs on stage during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The Tolmachevy Sisters representing Russia perform the song 'Shine' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Basim representing Denmark perform during the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Basim representing Denmark perform during Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Valentina Monetta representing San Marino performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Firelight representing Malta perform during Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The band Twin Twin representing France perform their song 'Moustache' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The Common Linnets representing The Netherlands perform during the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Aram Mp3 representing Armenia performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Aram Mp3 representing Armenia performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 From let to right: TV hosts Pilou Asbaek, Lise Ronne and Nikolaj Koppel present the Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Ovi of Paula Seling & Ovi representing Romania performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Carl Espen representing Norway performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Paula Seling of Paula Seling & Ovi representing Romania performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Pollapoenk representing Iceland performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Teo representing Belarus performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Singer Mariya Yaremchuk representing Ukraine performs the song 'Tick-Tock' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in the B&W Halls in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Dilara Kazimova representing Azerbaijan performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Teo representing Belarus performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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Russia, who were loudly booed as they phoned in with their results, responded to Wurst’s win with anticipated outrage.
“It has turned wild,” said parliamentarian Vladimir Zhirinovsky. “There are no men or women in Europe, just it.”
President Vladimir Putin’s vice premier Dmitry Rogozin also posted his reaction on Twitter, claiming that Wurst’s win “showed the eurointegrators their europerspective – a bearded girl”.
Speaking at a post-Eurovision press conference, Wurst said: “I really dream of a world where we don’t have to talk about unnecessary things like sexuality, where you’re from or who you love. This is not what it’s all about.”
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