Austria triumphs at ESC with pop-opera hybrid 'Wasted Love' – DW – 05/18/2025
Nita Blake-Persen
05/18/2025
May 18, 2025
The singer JJ beat off competition from 25 other nations at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the world's biggest live music contest. He wowed the crowd with his pop-opera ballad 'Wasted Love', hitting some impressively high notes.
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DW
18-05-2025
- DW
Austria triumphs at ESC with pop-opera hybrid 'Wasted Love' – DW – 05/18/2025
Nita Blake-Persen 05/18/2025 May 18, 2025 The singer JJ beat off competition from 25 other nations at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the world's biggest live music contest. He wowed the crowd with his pop-opera ballad 'Wasted Love', hitting some impressively high notes.
Local Germany
18-05-2025
- Local Germany
Austria's JJ wins Eurovision 2025 with opera-techno fusion
After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst's 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into Sunday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel -- whose participation drew protests -- on 357 and Estonia on 356. "Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true," 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, said after his triumph in the Swiss city of Basel. "Love is the strongest force in the world. Let's spread more love," the Austrian-Filipino singer said. "Wasted Love" saw him hit the high notes while mixing opera and techno. His Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, blends lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish. His performance, broadcast in black and white in 4:3 ratio, captivated viewers around Europe. "What a fantastic success! My warmest congratulations on your victory," said Austria's Chancellor Christian Stocker, adding: "JJ is making Austrian music history." The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt also issued a message of congratulations to JJ on Facebook. Advertisement "What an incredible moment -- Filipino pride on the European stage!," it said. Celine Dion no-show The 69th Eurovision Song Contest was held at Basel's St. Jakobshalle, packed with 6,500 excited ticket-holders dressed to the nines while 36,000 others watched a live transmission in a nearby stadium. An estimated 160 million people across Europe and beyond were expected to tune in for the annual TV spectacle, where kitsch, glam and spectacular staging go hand in hand. Twenty-six countries were in contention, with 11 having been eliminated in the semi-finals during the week. Basel had been abuzz all week with rumours that Celine Dion might make an emotion-laden appearance as she battles Stiff Person Syndrome. The Canadian superstar, now 57, launched her international career by winning Eurovision 1988, while competing for Switzerland. But in the end, she did not appear. "We have been in contact with her through various channels and regret that ultimately it was not possible to include her in the show," Eurovision organisers told AFP. Advertisement "We send her all our best wishes and, above all, good health." Sweden had long been the bookmakers' hot favourite to win in Basel with the comedy trio KAJ's sauna song "Bara Bada Bastu". But they finished fourth ahead of Italy, Greece and France as JJ scooped up the microphone-shaped trophy. Albania, Ukraine and Switzerland rounded out the top 10. Israel protests As the televotes came in, Israel held the top spot until, right at the very end, the public votes for Austria gave the Alpine nation the right to host Eurovision next year. Israel's participation in Eurovision 2025 prompted a series of protests in Basel over the war in Gaza. Israel's entrant Yuval Raphael survived the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, hiding beneath bodies as Hamas gunmen attacked a music festival, killing hundreds. Advertisement During the performance of her song "New Day Will Rise", loud whistles could be heard and two people tried to get on stage. "At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage. They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint," a Eurovision spokesman told AFP. They were taken outside and handed over to police, he added. Elsewhere in Basel, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed briefly with riot police. Blows were exchanged and officers deployed tear gas. Ahead of the final on Saturday, Spain's public broadcaster defied the organisers to air a message in support of Palestinians -- despite being warned to avoid references to the Gaza offensive. 'Ich Komme' The songs in contention were a showcase of Europe's different musical scenes. They included a Portuguese guitar ballad, a Maltese diva, Lithuanian alternative rock, an Italian singalong, a Greek power ballad, ethereal Latvian choral folk and German booming beats. Estonia's wobbly-legged Tommy Cash finished a close third with his cod-Italian "Espresso Macchiato" song. Finland's Erika Vikman -- who gained momentum during Eurovision week with the orgasmic "Ich Komme" -- was hoisted in the air on a spark-emitting golden microphone. Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, 52, set a new record between Eurovision appearances, returning 30 years after her first performance. The Netherlands' competitor Claude broke into tears after performing his song "C'est La Vie". French singer Louane, who lost both her parents as a teenager, performed her song "Maman", with falling pieces of cork representing the sands of time. And Malta's Miriana Conte finished her diva big number "Serving" by bouncing up and down on an exercise ball.
DW
17-05-2025
- DW
Eurovision 2025: Austria's JJ wins with "Wasted Love" – DW – 05/18/2025
Austria's JJ has won the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with "Wasted Love." An estimated 160 million people from Europe and beyond are expected to tune in. Classically trained countertenor JJ of Austria wins 69th Eurovision Song Contest with his pop-opera song "Wasted Love." The Swiss city of Basel was hosting the final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night. While Sweden was the hotly tipped favorite, the always unpredictable event was won by Austria's classically trained countertenor. Performers from France, the Netherlands, Finland and Israel have also been touted as contenders who could deliver an upset. The 26 songs that will be performed, including a Portuguese guitar ballad, an alternative rock band from Lithuania, Austrian opera and a Latvian choir, showcase a broad range of European music. The winner will be decided by viewers' votes and those of a jury, whose votes have already been recorded based on the untelevised dress rehearsal on Friday. Countdown to Eurovision final in Switzerland begins To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Israel's participation draws protests Though Eurovision is billed as a celebration of European unity, rivalries and friendships often come to the fore when the viewers' voting begins following the two hours' of concert performances. Despite attempts to focus on the glitz and glamor, politics are never far from the surface. Israel's participation in particular has been controversial, with pro-Palestinian protests being held in Basel against Israel's war in Gaza. Pro-Israel protests were also held. The Israeli entrant, Yuval Raphael — a survivor of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks — will be performing a song entitled "New Day Will Rise". Thousands descend on Basel Another aspect to watch out for is whether Celine Dion — the contest's winner in 1988 when she represented Switzerland — will make an appearance. The Canadian star has been struggling with Stiff Person Syndrome, a painful autoimmune disorder, but there have been rumors she might make an emotional return to Eurovision. Organizers said more than 500,000 people had gathered in Basel for Eurovision week. Around 36,000 were due to watch the show at the soccer stadium across the street from the arena where the contest is being held. "Everyone [is] united by music," Basel's project leader Beat Lauchli said. Fans of the music contest have lauded its growing diversity Image: Martin Meissner/AP/picture alliance Edited by: Rana Taha
