With his song “Wasted Love,” 24-year-old countertenor Johannes Pietsch, often known as JJ, won the title on May 17, 2025, in a dramatic and emotionally intense final in Basel, Switzerland, giving Austria its third Eurovision victory. Austria stormed past favorites like Sweden and Israel to regain the lead with 436 points, including a stunning 258 from juries and 178 from the public vote. JJ, the winner of Eurovision 2025, has sparked new conversations about national representation, musical creativity, and the changing Eurovision tradition. What, however, does this victory mean for Austria and the millions of viewers that watch each year? So let’s get started.

Who is JJ?

The soon-to-be “JJ,” Johannes Pietsch, was born in Vienna on April 29, 2001, to an Austrian father and a Filipina mother. He spent his early years in Dubai, where pop and opera fostered his love for the genre. He returned to Austria in 2016, spent time at the Music and Arts University of Vienna and the Vienna State Opera honing his craft, and became well-known thanks to TV appearances on shows like Austria’s Starmania (2021) and The Voice UK (2020).

JJ’s repertoire veers between contemporary pop and the expansive drama of opera, and his unique countertenor range enables him to soar into soprano territory emotionally. He has become a cultural icon who elevates underrepresented voices, in addition to being a musical innovator, due to his openness about his queerness and dedication to representation.

“Wasted Love” is the song

With a duration of approximately 2:45 minutes and co-written by JJ, Teodora Špirić (also known as Teya, Austria’s 2023 act), and Thomas Thurner,“Wasted Love,” which was released on March 6, 2025, is a potent blend of electro-techno and operatic music. It’s a moving experience: JJ’s song about unrequited adoration evokes the picture of a delicate paper boat lost at sea, signifying a love that is both beautiful and lost.

The song’s fusion of contemporary production and classical vocal skill won accolades from critics. Its technical skill got it 258 points from juries and 178 from the public in the grand final, for a total score of 436, which is the score of the Eurovision 2025 winner.

For music lovers planning their next big event, check out the full Glastonbury 2025 lineup—a festival roster as thrilling as Eurovision night itself.

The Legacy of Austria in Eurovision Reexamined

Udo Jürgens’ “Merci, Chérie” won Austria the championship in 1966, and Conchita Wurst’s iconic “Rise Like a Phoenix” won it again in 2014. With intermittent finals appearances, Austria’s involvement had ups and downs in the ensuing ten years. However, Austria set itself up for another turn in the spotlight by continuously sending strong, genre-defying acts, such as 2024’s “We Will Rave.”

Conchita’s legacy is carried on by JJ’s victory with “Wasted Love,” which also elevates Austria back to the top of the Eurovision rankings. The city of Vienna will host Eurovision 2026 for the third time, following its hosting in 1967 and 2015.

The Mechanisms: Televote vs. Jury

JJ was greatly rewarded by the jury system, which is frequently criticized for prioritizing technical skill above emotional resonance. He was a jury favorite because of his pop sensibilities and classical training. Audiences reacted accordingly, while Austria maintained their lead in combined scoring despite Israel winning the popular vote due to the televote divide.

Given the broader tensions surrounding the Gaza crisis, political currents briefly centered on Israel’s involvement. Later, JJ stirred some controversy by proposing that Eurovision 2026 be conducted “without Israel” and demanding that the EBU be more open.

Fan Reactions: Emotion, Resonance, Debate

Fans responded quickly and enthusiastically, particularly on social media sites like Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit. The technical accomplishment was praised by some:

“I find the final section to be quite intriguing. However, the remainder seems to be a fairly typical ballad. The high notes have an unearthly beauty to them.

Others offered more scathing opinions:

“It lacks soul and feels like jury bait.”

Fans praised Austria’s risk-taking and forecasted a top 5 finish despite the initial mixed responses. Many critics were silenced by the final performance, which received standing ovations for its vocal execution and production.

Following the victory, fan tweaks, memes, and sincere messages addressing the song’s emotional depth went viral on social media. “Wasted Love” solidified its position in Eurovision history by striking a personal and artistic chord.

Cultural Analysis: The Reason “Wasted Love” Touched a Nerve

Fundamentally, “Wasted Love” is a universal tale of intense love without reciprocity. Listeners of all cultural backgrounds can identify with the dramatic emotional landscape that is painted by the metaphor of being adrift and waiting for something that never comes. It is an artistic representation of the complexity of contemporary emotions, reflecting both societal tension and personal anguish through its blend of techno drops and a high-octane vocal performance.

It’s a statement as well. In 2025, Eurovision is still open to daring experimentation. A trend toward very intimate, cinematic storytelling is reflected in the performance’s emotional trajectory and the simple, monochromatic production. These days, the focus is on meaning and message rather than glitz and gimmicks.

Staging & Production: Cinematic Heights

With a monochromatic, stormy seascape, Spanish creative director Sergio Jaén realized JJ’s concept. In order to represent emotional solitude, visual effects depicted JJ floating amid waves of light and rain within a paper boat. The idea captured the symbolic depth of the song by shifting from a dream that resembled a woodland to the huge ocean.

According to JJ, he wanted the performance to seem “like a music video on stage,” and it was executed well. Both jurors and onlookers were enthralled by the performance because of JJ’s unadulterated, soaring voice and the deliberate use of silence up to the climactic crescendo.

What Will Happen to JJ Next?

JJ’s victory paves the way for a worldwide career. He has previously alluded to a number of post-Eurovision endeavors:

• An orchestral-pop-inspired full-length album or studio EP
• Beginning in Vienna and maybe extending to Asia and North America, the European tour
• Working with racial and queer artists while adhering to his inclusive worldview
• Support for underrepresented and LGBTQ+ performers in mainstream and classical music
• JJ’s experience in both pop and opera puts her in a rare position to transcend boundaries and genres. Eurovision 2025 might be the beginning of something much more significant.

Eurovision 2026 and Austria

The next stop on the Eurovision 2026 stage is Austria. The national broadcaster of Austria, ORF, is already preparing for the production. The obvious choice is Vienna, although smaller places like Graz or Salzburg can also be taken into account.

The tone of Eurovision 2026 may be influenced by the EBU’s response to JJ’s political comments on Israel’s participation in the upcoming competition. However, Austria is ready to produce a top-notch event that probably combines style, artistic expression, and moving narrative.

Austria’s victory demonstrates that the country is now leading Eurovision rather than just taking part in it. And with 2026 as the backdrop, everyone will be watching JJ and his next actions.

One of the pivotal moments in Austrian and Eurovision history is JJ’s victory with “Wasted Love.” As the winner of Eurovision 2025, JJ has demonstrated that the competition can still surprise us by fusing cultural storytelling, technical prowess, and emotional honesty into one remarkable whole.

Austria’s success in the tournament can be attributed to their perseverance, willingness to take chances, and dedication to creative purity. Fans will remember this year’s tournament for a song that really touched their hearts, in addition to its dramatic voting announcement.

Regardless of your level of interest in Eurovision or whether you’re just learning about its enchantment, JJ’s victory serves as a reminder that great music cuts across boundaries, politics, and language. Despite being about heartbreak, “Wasted Love” has had a significant influence.

Enjoyed JJ’s moving performance and would like to see more articles about the Eurovision 2025 winner?
Get exclusive updates, artist interviews, and an inside look at Austria’s road to Eurovision 2026 by subscribing to QuickNewsFeed!