Victoria Swarovski on Her Vienna: Where the Eurovision Host Finds Inspiration

Victoria Swarovski is back on the road to Vienna, juggling two of Europe’s biggest shows. By day, she’s hosting the popular dance competition *Let’s Dance* in Cologne. By night, she’s prepping for the Eurovision Song Contest finale, where nearly 170 million people will watch her on May 16. Yet, on the phone, she sounds anything but worn out—her voice crackles with energy.

“I’m still very relaxed,” she says about the massive audience. “I can’t see those 170 million from the stage. The 10,000 people in the Stadthalle? That’s what makes me nervous. You feel their energy immediately.”

When asked about Vienna’s reputation for grumpiness, she laughs. “You have to take the ‘grant’ with humor. Vienna is one of the most livable cities in the world, and that’s what counts.”

Her personal Vienna includes a drink at the Do & Co Bar with a view of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, dinner at Plachutta on Wollzeile, and custom shirts from Gino Venturini, a shop that’s been around for ages. “Once they measure you, they ship your shirts anywhere.” She also swears by the Sacher cube over the classic cake—“it’s juicier”—and the new Mandarin Oriental hotel. “I stay there during Eurovision rehearsals. It feels like home.”

Swarovski’s path to the stage started young. At 13, she emailed a producer without a demo, just her name. At 15, she sang for comedian Mario Barth in a supermarket. “I just started singing. Cheeky, but he liked it.” That led to a record deal and a stint in Los Angeles. Hosting *Let’s Dance* came later, after she won the show. “I hesitated. I worried what people would think because of my name. But I proved myself.”

Now, she’s ready for Eurovision. “My co-host Michael and I recorded something funny. I can’t say more—you’ll have to watch.”