This year the contest was won by the Austrian candidate - Conchita Wurst. Conchita had already attracted a lot of attention before the contest was broadcast on 11 May, as she is a female persona created by Austrian singer Tom Neuwirth. It wasn't the first time a drag act had won Eurovision - this also happened a few years ago with the Israeli entry 'Diva' - but it was unusual that the ladylike and elegant Conchita also had a beard. This may have helped her catch the public eye, but the unusually high number of top scores were undoubtedly down to appreciation of her singing voice and the song 'Rise like a Phoenix'.
This year was also unusual in that so many voters just went for the act they liked best - so often in Eurovision there is a big tendency for the public to vote for their neighbouring country or one they have good relations with. The vote for Conchita seemed to change all that.