Austria's JJ wins Eurovision as Israel comes second
The singer, real name Johannes Pietsch, opted for a black and white staging in Basel, Switzerland, which looked like a disastrous boat trip as he sang about someone he cared about being overwhelmed.
The 24-year-old was emotional as he said 'thank you Europe, I love you all', after performing his song for a second time.
JJ from Austria, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest (Martin Meissner/AP)
The UK gave its public vote of 12 points to Israel during the grand final, and the country finished with 357 points to Austria's 436 points.
October 7 survivor Raphael was left 'shaken and upset' after pro-Palestinian protesters rushed towards a barrier when she was on stage on Saturday night, her team said.
A spokesman for Israeli broadcaster Kan said the protesters 'were blocked by security officials' and their delegation 'needed to move location' for 15 minutes.
Yuval Raphael from Israel (Martin Meissner/AP)
Swiss police confirmed the two people were handed over to them and that they have now been released, while organisers Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR released a statement saying that a crew member was hit with paint but is 'fine'.
Vienna-born JJ is an Austrian-Filipino opera singer and has been studying at the Music and Art Private University of Vienna (MUK).
Previous Austrian wins include drag artist Conchita Wurst in 2014 with Rise Like A Phoenix, and 1966's Udo Jurgens with Merci Cherie.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Greta Thunberg's sister with racy image who changed name to avoid association
Greta Thunberg's younger sister Beata Ernman is pursuing a career in the arts and, ditching her famous surname, is trying to carve her own path away from her activist sibling Greta Thunberg and her loved ones are in the spotlight currently thanks to the Swedish activist's recent bid to enter Gaza and provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians. The 22-year-old said on Tuesday that the Israeli regime kidnapped her and others aboard the Gaza-bound Madleen aid ship in international waters. After being forcibly taken to Israel before being deported, Greta landed in France where she answered a few questions about her detainment to reporters waiting for her at the airport. The award-winning activist described the circumstances of her kidnapping as "quite chaotic and uncertain". She added: "But the conditions we faced are absolutely nothing compared to what people are going through in Palestine and especially Gaza right now. This is not the real story. The real story is there is a genocide going on in Gaza and systematic starvation." As Greta tends to international matters, her little sister is living quite a different life. As Greta was discussing her kidnapping on Tuesday, her younger sibling Beata Ernman, 19, shared snaps from a photoshoot on her Instagram Stories and promoted her musical releases. Beata, who Greta once claimed "is the one who suffers" due to her humanitarian work, is seemingly trying to distance herself from her famous sister and carve her own path. Ditching her well-known surname and taking her opera singer mother Malena Ernman's maiden name instead, Bea is pursuing a career as an actress, singer and model. But Beata, like her sister, also has a political edge to her work. Discussing her latest single, I Found Your Father's Gun, the teenage singer told her Instagram followers on Tuesday: "When people objectify girls, they reduce us to body parts — They treat us like multiple girls add up to one man. So in this song, I use their own language against them. "I objectify him by sexualizing his father, to expose the absurdity, the cruelty, and the double standard, associating him with another man, to flip it, as if 10 men were treated like 1 girl. Beneath the metaphor is something real: Men need to stop taking advantage of girls who are too young to fight back. This song is what it sounds like when we do. When the object speaks. Twice as brutal as the offense itself, right? Right." After her milestone speech at the United Nations climate summit made her a household name, Greta - then 16 - told Dagens Nyheter how her "wonderful and strong" sister's life had been impacted due to her activism. "The one who suffers is my sister," Greta told the Swedish news outlet. "She is 13 years old and she has been subjected to systematic bullying, threats and harassment. The people who write threats and hate to me do it to the whole family, even to her." "The difference between me and the people who are left at home is that I am always travelling, inaccessible. People don't know where I am staying, where I sleep at night, where I am. I have no daily life. But for my sister at home, who tries to have a daily life … she is much more reachable." Beata has been active on her Instagram page over recent days, sharing several racy snaps with her 10,400 followers, but is yet to publicly comment on sister Greta's involvement in The Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a humanitarian maritime mission. The mission, led by the UK-flagged vessel Madleen, was organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) with the aim of breaking the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and delivering aid. Setting sail from Catania, Sicily, on June 1, the flotilla's journey was abruptly halted. In the early hours of Monday morning, Israeli forces intercepted, boarded, and seized the vessel in international waters, preventing its arrival in the Gaza Strip and detaining those onboard. Among the 12-member crew were European Parliament representative Rima Hassan and environmental activist Greta. According to Hassan, the cargo included baby formula, crutches, nappies, flour, medical kits, and rice.
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Edinburgh Live
'Beautiful' period drama filmed in spectacular royal palace is 'masterpiece'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info There's no disputing the visual appeal of this film, with audiences captivated by its "pastel-colour" scenes and lavish costumes, all set against the grand backdrop of the Palace of Versailles. Whether you appreciate the film for its historical context or not, Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette is undeniably stunning. Since its release in 2006, fans of period dramas continue to explore the world that the director crafted to narrate the tale of the Austrian princess. Writing on Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer called the film "An absolute masterpiece". "Sofia Coppola built an entire cosmos; the external world is an expression of the interior of the character and vice versa," they wrote. "Marie Antoinette is not a historical figure; she is an epiphany of the rococo, the excess, the separation between the reality of France and her royal experience." (Image: Publicity Picture) Marie Antoinette was the final queen of France before the French Revolution kicked off in 1789, having married into the royal family when she wed Louis XVI. The film portrays her tumultuous time as Dauphine of France, which she began at the tender age of 14, and follows her through her reign as queen when her husband took the throne. Another viewer commented: "This is, above all, an image over substance movie. Don't expect a typical period film, because this movie is the tale of a doomed queen in beautiful pastel colour shots and a couple of phrases," reports the Mirror US. "Its two hours are too much and its dialogue too little, but it doesn't affect the film's capacity to create compassion for a girl that has it all and doesn't know how to restrain herself, even when it's needed. Boring at times, but always stunning." (Image: Unknown) Kirsten Dunst takes on the role as the Queen of France in what could be classed as an iconic portrayal, adding to her impressive portfolio featuring smash hits like the 2000s Spider-Man trilogy, Jumanji, and Mona Lisa Smile following her stint in Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides. Jason Schwartzman joins her as her royal partner, with Rose Byrne dazzling as the Duchess de Polignac. Upon its debut, the movie received mixed reviews, yet the consensus highlighted its aesthetic allure which was recognised when it bagged the Best Costume Design at the 79th Academy Awards. Critics concur that the film's visual allure remains its crowning glory. One shared their perspective, noting: "The film, beautiful to stare at, features stunning costumes, a remarkable set (it was shot at the actual Palace of Versailles), a surprisingly solid performance from Dunst, and countless beautifully framed shots. Why the divisiveness? "The film has little in the way of a narrative arc, and the soundtrack/score swings between classical music and modern rock. If you can get past its faults, if they are indeed faults, the film is a visual wonder from start to finish." If you fancy diving into Sophia Coppola's dreamy pastel universe, Marie Antoinette is available for rent on Amazon Prime.
The National
a day ago
- The National
Palestinian comedians to make debuts at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
As part of The Stand's programme this year, The Palestine Comedy Club will be brought to the Fringe. PalCom is a Palestine-UK collective developing comedy unique to the Palestinian experience and organisers say it will act as a platform for Palestinian artists to share their stories. Making their debut at the Fringe will be Alaa Shehada (Jenin), Diana Sweity (Hebron) Hanna Shammas (Haifa) and Sami Abu-Wardeh (London). READ MORE: David Lammy urged to intervene as Madleen seized by Israel As well as a trio of shows at the Fringe, PalCom will also visit Stand venues in Glasgow and Newcastle. The Stand Comedy Club said it is vital that Palestine is represented at the Fringe this year. Chair of the board Tommy Shepherd said: 'All too often people have forgot the Palestinians have a thriving Mediterranean culture. This is what the Israeli government are trying to extinguish. 'We're delighted to do our part in standing in solidarity with Palestinian artists and helping them reach an international audience.' The Stand has made several moves in support of Palestine including becoming a supporter of Unite Hospitality Glasgow's Serve Solidarity, Boycott Apartheid campaign, which aims to support worker-led boycotts of PepsiCo products and Israeli fresh produce. To help fund travel costs for Palestine Comedy Club, The Stand will also hold two benefit nights that will feature some of Scotland's leading talent in Edinburgh and Glasgow. In Glasgow on Monday, June 16, host Billy Kirkwood will introduce Stuart McPherson, Ray Bradshaw, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and Susie McCabe. Meanwhile, the Edinburgh benefit will take place on Tuesday, June 24, with Susan Morrison hosting Vladimir McTavish, Marc Jennings, Krystal Evans, Ryan Cullen and Jay Lafferty. PalCom will appear at Newcastle's Stand on Saturday, August 16, before heading to its Edinburgh branch on Monday 18, Tuesday 19 and Wednesday, August 20, with a final stop-off in Glasgow on Thursday, August 21.
