Conchita Wurst launches autobiography in Berlin

The Austrian singer and winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest appeared at Berlin's Soho House hotel on Monday, where she launched her autobiography "I, Conchita: My story. We are unstoppable" and her new single "You are unstoppable."

In her new book, Conchita Wurst, also known as Tom Neuwirth, recounts her journey from young homosexual boy to the world-famous bearded drag queen, Conchita Wurst. The book is also due to be released in French on May 5 and English on May 7.

Speaking at the launch on Monday, Wurst spoke reflected up her "coming out" during a newspaper interview before telling her parents.

"It wasn't done unwillingly," she said. "I had this short moment of, 'what do I do now? Do I lie or am I my own person?' So I decided to say what it was.

"I wouldn't recommend that, if anyone is thinking of doing so. Not the newspaper first and then the parents," she added in a word of advice, "The other way round is somehow nicer."

Discrimination

In an interview on the program "Frühstück bei mir" for Austria's radio station Ö3 on Sunday, the 26-year-old reflected on the hostility she experienced as a child which she describes in the book.

"Whispering behind my back, insults shouted after me. At school here seemed to just mockers and homophobes," she said.

In her new book, the singer say the experiences shaped her, but did not make her bitter.

Since her victory at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen almost a year ago, Wurst has become an icon in the LGBT community and beyond by continuing to promote LGBT rights and condemning discrimination.

"It was not just a victory for me but a victory for those people who believe in a future that can function without discrimination and is based on tolerance and respect," Wurst said shortly after her Eurovision win last May.

At this year's Song Contest in Austria's capital, Vienna, Wurst will be taking on the role of presenter as Europe celebrates the competition's 60th anniversary.