Johannes Pietsch, an Austrian singer with classical training, won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland on Saturday with the song “Wasted Love,” which features operatic, multi-octave vocals with a techno touch.
Israeli musician Yuval Raphael placed second at an exciting evening of music and unity that was marred by tensions over Israel’s participation amid its ongoing conflict with Gaza.
Who is JJ? Know what he said after winning Eurovision 2025
JJ won Eurovision for the third time and for the first time since 2014’s bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst. The Vienna State Opera singer, a 24-year-old countertenor, has referred to Wurst as a mentor.
After receiving the glass Eurovision trophy in the shape of a microphone, the singer said, “This is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s crazy.”
After a thrilling final in which Raphael received a huge popular vote from her large following for her catchy song “New Day Will Rise,” JJ emerged victorious. However, she also had to deal with objections from pro-Palestinian protesters who demanded that Israel be disqualified from the competition for its actions during the war against Hamas in Gaza.
During a news conference following the triumph, JJ stated that his song about failed romance conveyed the message that “love is the strongest force on planet Earth, and love persevered.”
“Let’s spread love, guys,” JJ remarked, adding that he was thrilled to be the first Eurovision winner with Filipino ancestry and to be identified as homosexual.
His message, according to him, was “equality and acceptance for everyone.”
Austria, the contest’s host country next year, congratulated JJ on his victory.
“What a great success – my warmest congratulations on winning #ESC2025! JJ is writing Austrian music history today!” Chancellor Christian Stocker stated on X.
Here’s what Eurovision 2025 winner JJ takes home
According to the official Eurovision website, the victorious nation will be given a glass microphone trophy that was “custom designed” for the competition.
“Solid transparent glass with sand-blasted and painted detailing” is the material used to create this handcrafted award.
Additionally, the website discloses that smaller versions of the Eurovision trophy will be given to the songwriters and composers of the song performed by the contest winner.
