Killing Conchita: celebrity persona (de/re)construction as artistic transformation

Article

Carniel, Jessica. 2023. "Killing Conchita: celebrity persona (de/re)construction as artistic transformation." Celebrity Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392397.2023.2256429
Article Title

Killing Conchita: celebrity persona (de/re)construction as artistic transformation

ERA Journal ID124309
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsCarniel, Jessica
Journal TitleCelebrity Studies
Number of Pages15
Year2023
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN1939-2397
1939-2400
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/19392397.2023.2256429
Web Address (URL)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19392397.2023.2256429
Abstract

Conchita Wurst rose to fame as the bearded drag queen who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014. Through Conchita, the artist Thomas Neuwirth found greater success in his career than he had achieved performing under his own name and non-drag image. Despite this, the specific image and persona of Conchita quickly became limiting for his own artistic expression and growth, leading Neuwirth to introduce a second persona, WURST. This article explores the construction and function of these personas for Neuwirth, arguing that the introduction of WURST has allowed Neuwirth to reconstruct ‘Conchita Wurst’ as a more versatile performance identity and artistic brand than achievable via the Conchita or WURST personas. It demonstrates how persona can be used strategically to disrupt and transform artistic careers, and how the celebrity of a persona can be leveraged into a form of brand recognition even after that persona is discarded.

Keywordspersona; celebrity; drag; Eurovision; artistic identity; drag queen
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020440599. Gender studies not elsewhere classified
470208. Culture, representation and identity
Byline AffiliationsSchool of Humanities and Communication
Centre for Heritage and Culture
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z1286/killing-conchita-celebrity-persona-de-re-construction-as-artistic-transformation

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
Carniel_KillingConchita2023.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 55
    total views
  • 34
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The makings of a moral superpower: Swedish good international citizenship as middle power nation brand
Emmerson, Mark, Carniel, Jessica and Gehrmann, Richard. 2024. "The makings of a moral superpower: Swedish good international citizenship as middle power nation brand." European Politics and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2024.2415063
Towards a theory of participatory diplomacy via the Eurovision Song Contest
Carniel, Jessica. 2024. "Towards a theory of participatory diplomacy via the Eurovision Song Contest." Media Culture and Society. 46 (5), pp. 925-941. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437231224080
Wogs as work: humour as ethnic entrepreneurship and convivial labour
Carniel, Jessica and Persian, Jayne. 2023. "Wogs as work: humour as ethnic entrepreneurship and convivial labour." Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies. 37 (4), pp. 480-493. https://doi.org/10.1080/10304312.2023.2253382
Inquiry-based learning as an adaptive signature pedagogy in international relations
Carniel, Jessica, Emmerson, Mark and Gehrmann, Richard. 2024. "Inquiry-based learning as an adaptive signature pedagogy in international relations." International Studies Perspectives. 25 (3), pp. 308-324. https://doi.org/10.1093/isp/ekad015
The ethics review and the humanities and social sciences: disciplinary distinctions in ethics review processes
Carniel, Jessica, Hickey, Andrew, Southey, Kim, Bromdal, Annette, Crowley-Cyr, Lynda, Eacersall, Douglas, Farmer, Will, Gehrmann, Richard, Machin, Tanya and Pillay, Yosheen. 2023. "The ethics review and the humanities and social sciences: disciplinary distinctions in ethics review processes." Research Ethics. 19 (2), pp. 139-156. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161221147202
Better off dead?: the creative practice of reviving Ophelia
Carniel, Jessica. 2016. "Better off dead?: the creative practice of reviving Ophelia." TEXT: Journal of Writing and Writing Courses. 20 (Special Issue 36). https://doi.org/10.52086/001c.27054
A Commonwealth Princess? The instrumentalization of Meghan Markle’s race to construct her royal persona
Carniel, Jessica. 2021. "A Commonwealth Princess? The instrumentalization of Meghan Markle’s race to construct her royal persona." Persona Studies. 7 (1), pp. 33-47. https://doi.org/10.21153/psj2021vol7no1art1459
Armchair Researchers: Modes of Ethnographic Research for Understanding and Experiencing the Eurovision Song Contest
Hay, Chris and Carniel, Jessica. 2022. "Armchair Researchers: Modes of Ethnographic Research for Understanding and Experiencing the Eurovision Song Contest." Dubin, Adam, Vuletic, Dean and Obregón, Antonio (ed.) The Eurovision Song Contest as a Cultural Phenomenon: From Concert Halls to the Halls of Academia. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 237-248
High, Low and Participatory: The Eurovision Song Contest and Cultural Studies
Carniel, Jessica. 2022. "High, Low and Participatory: The Eurovision Song Contest and Cultural Studies ." Dubin, Adam, Vuletic, Dean and Obregón, Antonio (ed.) The Eurovision Song Contest as a Cultural Phenomenon: From Concert Halls to the Halls of Academia. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 163-174
Kindred spirits: reflections on our relationships with Anne of Green Gables
Carniel, Jessica and Sulway, Nike. 2021. "Kindred spirits: reflections on our relationships with Anne of Green Gables." Carniel, Jessica and Sulway, Nike (ed.) Reflections on our relationships with Anne of Green Gables: kindred spirits. United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 1-6
Anne with a me: adapting to new adaptations of Anne as she adapts to us
Carniel, Jessica. 2021. "Anne with a me: adapting to new adaptations of Anne as she adapts to us." Carniel, Jessica and Sulway, Nike (ed.) Reflections on our relationships with Anne of Green Gables: kindred spirits. United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 171-188
Beyond criticism of ethics review boards: strategies for engaging research communities and enhancing ethical review processes
Hickey, Andrew, Davis, Samantha, Farmer, Will, Dawidowicz, Julianna, Moloney, Clint, Lamont-Mills, Andrea, Carniel, Jess, Pillay, Yosheen, Akenson, David, Bromdal, Annette, Gehrmann, Richard, Mills, Dean, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, Machin, Tanya, Reich, Suzanne, Southey, Kim, Crowley-Cyr, Lynda, Watanabe, Taiji, Davenport, Josh, ..., Maxwell, Jacinta. 2021. "Beyond criticism of ethics review boards: strategies for engaging research communities and enhancing ethical review processes." Journal of Academic Ethics. 20, pp. 549-567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-021-09430-4
Richard White’s Inventing Australia: revisiting the invention forty years later
Carniel, Jessica. 2021. "Richard White’s Inventing Australia: revisiting the invention forty years later." History Australia. 18 (1), pp. 156-167. https://doi.org/10.1080/14490854.2021.1878914
This One Loves That One: Queerbaiting at the Eurovision Song Contest
Carniel, Jessica. 2019. "This One Loves That One: Queerbaiting at the Eurovision Song Contest." Brennan, Joseph (ed.) Queerbaiting and Fandom: Teasing Fans through Homoerotic Possibilities. Iowa City, United States. University of Iowa Press. pp. 182-185
Nation Branding, Cultural Relations and Cultural Diplomacy at Eurovision: Between Australia and Europe
Carniel, Jessica. 2019. "Nation Branding, Cultural Relations and Cultural Diplomacy at Eurovision: Between Australia and Europe." Kalman, Julie, Wellings, Ben and Jacotine, Keshia (ed.) Eurovisions: Identity and the International Politics of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1956. Singapore. Springer. pp. 151-173
Part of the party: Eurovision fans in Australia
Carniel, Jessica. 2019. "Part of the party: Eurovision fans in Australia." Lam, Celia and Raphael, Jackie (ed.) Aussie Fans: Uniquely Placed in Global Popular Culture. Iowa City, Australia. University of Iowa Press. pp. 61-67
Conclusion—Eurovision—Australia decides
Carniel, Jessica and Hay, Chris. 2019. "Conclusion—Eurovision—Australia decides." Hay, Chris and Carniel, Jessica (ed.) Eurovision and Australia: interdisciplinary Perspectives from Down Under. Cham, Switzerland. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 259-279
'It really makes you feel part of the world': transnational connection for Australian Eurovision audiences
Carniel, Jessica. 2019. "'It really makes you feel part of the world': transnational connection for Australian Eurovision audiences." Hay, Chris and Carniel, Jessica (ed.) Eurovision and Australia: interdisciplinary Perspectives from Down Under. Cham, Switzerland. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 213-237
Understanding the Eurovision Song Contest in multicultural Australia: we got love
Carniel, Jessica. 2018. Understanding the Eurovision Song Contest in multicultural Australia: we got love. Switzerland. Palgrave Pivot Cham.
Welcome to Eurostralia: the strategic diversity of Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest
Carniel, Jessica. 2017. "Welcome to Eurostralia: the strategic diversity of Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest." Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies. 31 (1), pp. 13-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10304312.2016.1262089
[Insert image here]: a reflection on the ethics of imagery in a critical pedagogy for the humanities
Carniel, Jessica. 2018. "[Insert image here]: a reflection on the ethics of imagery in a critical pedagogy for the humanities." Pedagogy Culture and Society. 26 (1), pp. 141-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2017.1364784
Remembering Laura Cereta: public and private lives of a humanist scholar
Carniel, Jess. 2017. "Remembering Laura Cereta: public and private lives of a humanist scholar." Baker, Dallas John, Brien, Donna Lee and Sulway, Nike (ed.) Recovering history through fact and fiction: forgotten lives. Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 171-182
Calvary or limbo? Articulating identity and citizenship in two Italian Australian autobiographical narratives of World War II internment
Carniel, Jessica. 2016. "Calvary or limbo? Articulating identity and citizenship in two Italian Australian autobiographical narratives of World War II internment." Queensland Review. 23 (1), pp. 20-34. https://doi.org/10.1017/qre.2016.4
Death and the maiden: memorialisation, scandal, and the gendered mediation of Australian Soldiers
Carniel, Jessica. 2017. "Death and the maiden: memorialisation, scandal, and the gendered mediation of Australian Soldiers." Gildersleeve, Jessica and Gehrmann, Richard (ed.) Memory and the wars on terror: Australian and British perspectives. Houndmills, United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 237-262
Reflections on race, regionalism and geopolitical trends via Australian soccer
Carniel, Jessica. 2012. "Reflections on race, regionalism and geopolitical trends via Australian soccer." The International Journal of the History of Sport. 29 (17), pp. 2405-2420. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523367.2012.746832
New Perceptions of the Vietnam War: Essays on the War, the South Vietnamese Experience, the Diaspora and the Continuing Impact
Carniel, Jessica. 2017. "New Perceptions of the Vietnam War: Essays on the War, the South Vietnamese Experience, the Diaspora and the Continuing Impact." Australian Historical Studies. 48 (1), pp. 131-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/1031461X.2016.1273043
Triple J's hottest
Carniel, Jessica. 2016. "Triple J's hottest." Murray, Jeremy A. and Nadeau, Kathleen M. (ed.) Pop culture in Asia and Oceania. Santa Barbara, Calif, United States. ABC-CLIO. pp. 42-42
'Either feed your belly or nourish your soul': work, artistic aspiration and autobiography in Rosa R. Capiello's Oh lucky country
Carniel, Jessica. 2016. "'Either feed your belly or nourish your soul': work, artistic aspiration and autobiography in Rosa R. Capiello's Oh lucky country." Interdisciplinary Literary Studies. 18 (1 (Special issue)), pp. 130-149. https://doi.org/10.5325/intelitestud.18.1.0130
Skirting the issue: finding queer and geopolitical belonging at the Eurovision Song Contest
Carniel, Jessica. 2015. "Skirting the issue: finding queer and geopolitical belonging at the Eurovision Song Contest." Contemporary Southeastern Europe. 2 (1), pp. 136-154.
Sheilas, wogs and metrosexuals: masculinity, ethnicity and Australian soccer
Carniel, Jessica. 2010. "Sheilas, wogs and metrosexuals: masculinity, ethnicity and Australian soccer." Hallinan, Christopher J. and Hughson, John E. (ed.) The containment of soccer in Australia: fencing off the world game. London, United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 73-83
Sheilas, wogs and metrosexuals: masculinity, ethnicity and Australian soccer
Carniel, Jessica. 2009. "Sheilas, wogs and metrosexuals: masculinity, ethnicity and Australian soccer." Soccer and Society. 10 (1), pp. 73-83. https://doi.org/10.1080/14660970802472676
Identities made in the kitchen taste the best: consumption and denial of Italian Australian ethnicity as food in Capaldo's Love takes you home
Carniel, Jessica. 2007. "Identities made in the kitchen taste the best: consumption and denial of Italian Australian ethnicity as food in Capaldo's Love takes you home." Rando, Gaetano and Turcotte, Gerry (ed.) Literary and social diasporas: an Italian Australian perspective. Brussels, Belgium. Peter Lang Publishing.
A cultural affair to remember: nostalgia, whiteness and migration in Love's Brother
Carniel, Jessica. 2009. "A cultural affair to remember: nostalgia, whiteness and migration in Love's Brother." Studies in Australasian Cinema. 3 (1), pp. 93-105. https://doi.org/10.1386/sac.3.1.93/1
A conversation with Venero Armanno
Carniel, Jessica. 2005. "A conversation with Venero Armanno." Italian Studies in Southern Africa. 18 (1), pp. 143-159.
Cloudland, Stronzoland, Brisbane: urban development and ethnic Bildung in Venero Armanno's fiction
Carniel, Jessica. 2005. "Cloudland, Stronzoland, Brisbane: urban development and ethnic Bildung in Venero Armanno's fiction." Italian Studies in Southern Africa. 18 (1), pp. 122-142.
Who's the weird mob anyway? Assimilation and authenticity in They're A Weird Mob
Carniel, Jessica. 2012. "Who's the weird mob anyway? Assimilation and authenticity in They're A Weird Mob." Bennett, James E. and Beirne, Rebecca (ed.) Making film and television histories: Australia and New Zealand. New York, NY. United States. I.B.Tauris Publishers. pp. 241-245
In the spirit of reconciliation: migrating spirits and Australian postcolonial multiculturalism in Hoa Pham's Vixen
Carniel, Jessica. 2013. "In the spirit of reconciliation: migrating spirits and Australian postcolonial multiculturalism in Hoa Pham's Vixen." Kroger, Lisa and Anderson, Melanie R. (ed.) The ghostly and the ghosted in literature and film: spectral identities. Newark, DE. United States. University of Delaware Press. pp. 75-89
Of nerds and men: dimensions and discourses of masculinity in Nerds FC
Carniel, Jessica. 2013. "Of nerds and men: dimensions and discourses of masculinity in Nerds FC." Ingle, Zachary and Sutera, David M. (ed.) Identity and myth in sports documentaries: critical essays. Lanham, MD. United States. Scarecrow Press. pp. 93-107
Bipolar (Un)patriots: national identity, ethnic identity and the 2006 FIFA World Cup
Carniel, Jessica. 2006. "Bipolar (Un)patriots: national identity, ethnic identity and the 2006 FIFA World Cup." Cultural Studies Association of Australasia Annual Conference (CSAA 2006). Canberra, Australia 06 - 08 Dec 2006 Canberra, ACT, Australia.