THANK YOU! Platinum record for ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’! #Fabulous surprise! <3 http://t.co/1zjlJsT4Ct #theunstoppables pic.twitter.com/Dg6fJIhRGi
— Conchita Wurst (@ConchitaWurst) December 10, 2014
Things just keep getting better and better for Austrian singer Conchita Wurst. Not only has she had a massively successful year, after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in May, news out of Vienna today was it’s a platinum disc for Conchita Wurst’s single ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ in Austria. An award she was presented with last night in a surprise ceremony.
According to ORF, the Austrian national public service broadcaster, Conchita’s song ‘Rise Like a Phoenix‘ has sold more than 30,000 singles in Austria (that’s how many copies need to sell to earn the Austrian platinum award).
At the ceremony, author of the song Ali Harris, and producers Dorothee Badent, Sebastian Armani and David Bronner were also presented with platinum discs.
ORF General Director Dr. Alexander Wrabetz congratulated Conchita and her team on the award, saying ” The fact that we were able to support the best possible person, and be part of her success, is great recognition for the employees of ORF”.
He went on to talk about the importance of diversity and tolerance, and how Conchita’s platinum award shows how much the people of Austria supported her in her efforts to make the world a more tolerant place.
As for Conchita, she was as gracious and lovely as ever. She thanked ORF for supporting her, saying “ORF believed in me from the beginning and, not only me, but also the values that I stand for — openness, tolerance and respect.
This is more than just a contribution to my success as an artist, but also a clear statement of community involvement”.
Conchita Wurst’s ‘Rise Like a Phoenix‘ was the only single for an Austrian artist to go platinum in Austria in 2014, so a huge achievement for her, and one she should be rightfully proud of. Worldwide the song has sold more than 100,000 copies.
You can read more about Conchita Wurst’s platinum disc and last night’s ORF ceremony in their press release. It is in German, but Google Translate does more than an adequate job.
All I can say is congratulations to my lovely Ms. Wurst (Ms. Weltstar, indeed). You have worked so hard, and for so long, and have overcome so many obstacles deliberately pushed in your way in an attempt to stop you. And done it all with graciousness and kindness, and with such great respect for everyone you encounter.
Nobody deserves this more than you, and I could not be happier for you.
As for the people at ORF, since I discovered Conchita Wurst in May, I’ve followed closely the work you do with her, as well as with other artists you are involved with. Can I just say I’m suitably impressed, as what an incredibly lovely group of people you seem to be.