Austrian Countertenor JJ Wins Eurovision 2025 in Basel

Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, a 24-year-old Austrian-Filipino countertenor, won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with his song "Wasted Love," blending operatic vocals and techno beats. His victory marked Austria's third Eurovision win, following those in 1966 and 2014, and was celebrated nationally by political leaders and the Vienna State Opera. JJ's performance was praised for combining Austria's operatic tradition with modern music, while he expressed a message of love and unity. Despite JJ's win, Finnish performer Erika Vikman received widespread fan acclaim for her theatrical and bold performance, sparking debate on social media about her not winning. The contest, held in Basel, Switzerland, was also marked by protests related to Israel's participation, with Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who finished second, being upset by demonstrations. Several Austrian cities expressed interest in hosting next year's contest, with JJ hoping to co-host it in Vienna alongside his mentor, Conchita Wurst.