It could have been easy to write Conchita Wurst off as a gimmick - a Eurovision novelty act known as "the bearded lady".
However when she stepped onto the stage in Copenhagen on Saturday night, it soon became clear she had both the crowd and the television audience captivated with her epic track Rise Like A Phoenix and a voice to match.
Twitter was instantly full of demands that she sing the next Bond theme, or claims that the competition was over, we could all go home. Former favourites Sweden and Armenia were edged out of the running.
Her performance in Thursday's semi-final - which we now know she won - had a similar effect, repositioning the drag act as a serious contender for this year's Eurovision crown.
'Respect and tolerance'
The momentum behind Conchita's message of acceptance had begun more than a month earlier though, with fans around the world knitting beards to show their support as a "symbol of tolerance".
In interviews she spoke about wanting to show people "that you can achieve anything" by just being yourself "and believing in yourself".
Being awarded 12 points by a dozen countries and winning the Eurovision Song Contest will surely tick that box.
"I felt like tonight Europe showed that we are a community of respect and tolerance," said Conchita during the winner's press conference.
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