Austria Triumphs at Eurovision 2025 with JJ's 'Wasted Love'

Austria clinched its third Eurovision Song Contest victory in 2025, as 24-year-old countertenor JJ captivated audiences with his emotive performance of "Wasted Love." The grand final, held in Basel, Switzerland, saw JJ amass a total of 436 points, leading the scoreboard with 258 points from professional juries and securing an additional 178 points from the public vote .(NPR, BBC)

JJ, born Johannes Pietsch, is a Vienna native with Austrian-Filipino heritage. Raised in Dubai before returning to Austria in 2016, he honed his classical music skills at the Vienna State Opera and the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna. His unique blend of operatic and pop elements was showcased in "Wasted Love," a song he co-wrote with Teodora Špirić and Thomas Thurner. The track delves into the depths of unrequited love, using maritime metaphors to convey emotional turmoil .(Wikipedia, ESCBubble, Wikipedia, Diario AS)

The staging of JJ's performance was a monochromatic spectacle, featuring nautical themes that mirrored the song's lyrical content. Directed by Spanish artist Sergio Jaén, the presentation was lauded for its cinematic quality and emotional resonance .(BILD, LOS40)

This victory marks Austria's third win in Eurovision history, following Udo Jürgens' "Merci, Chérie" in 1966 and Conchita Wurst's "Rise Like a Phoenix" in 2014. As per tradition, Austria is set to host the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, with Vienna anticipated as the host city .(Diario AS)

In the final rankings, Israel secured second place with 357 points, while Estonia closely followed with 356 points. Pre-contest favorite Sweden finished fourth with 321 points .(Cadena SER, The Guardian)

JJ's heartfelt message upon receiving the trophy resonated with many: "Love is the strongest force in the world, let's spread more love" .(BBC)

Austria's win in 2025 not only highlights JJ's exceptional talent but also underscores the country's continued influence and innovation in the Eurovision landscape.