Latest news with #JohannesPietsch
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The confluence of JJ's ‘Wasted Love,' the Coldplay kiss cam, and the end of my long-term relationship
Lately, I can't stop listening to JJ's 'Wasted Love,' the emotive, operatic anthem that won this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The first time I heard it, something in me cracked, and it's been haunting me ever since, particularly now. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. JJ, a.k.a. Johannes Pietsch, is a young gay Austrian-Filipino opera singer who blends classical vocals with electronic dance beats in a way that feels both ancient and painfully modern. In 'Wasted Love,' he sings from a place many of us probably know all too well, of having so much love to give and then, suddenly, no one there to receive it. 'Now that you're gone, all I have is wasted love, this wasted love,' JJ sings. Is a love that ends wasted love? Or is it something to keep close to your heart so that it is always cherished? And is it the time spent on love, rather than love itself, that's really wasted? Precious time, with precious memories, that get erased when love fizzles out. There's something else too, something that cuts deeper the more I listen. The song seems to embody the very essence of the relationship I'm mourning. On one hand, there's the soaring elegance of opera, timeless, grounded like a relic. That's me. And there's a pulsing, contemporary dance beat, youthful, futuristic, boundless. Seventeen years between us. I was the opera. He was the beat. Somehow, for a long time, we made music. But the end now consists of the immense pain of an archetypal tragic opera, 'Wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted, wasted … love,' JJ pleads. I've been with the love of my life for the last 17 years, with the last couple of years admittedly a question mark. He's still young and building a new life, while I am begrudgingly aging, with some hiccups. I'm 61. I workout gruelingly to stay in shape, and like everyone else my age, I think I look 10 years younger than I am. But still. Underneath my optimistic, sunny veneer lies a true fatalist, perpetually convinced that when something is good, it will inevitably be yanked away. I don't know whether it's because my dad died in my arms when I was 12, so there's a consistent fear of abandonment, or because I feel I don't deserve the good things in life. Perhaps it's a combination of both. Over three years ago, he broke up with me for the first time. Casually, or so it seemed. I was shattered. I attempted suicide. I didn't do that because of him. That's a misconception. I tried it because I too was done with me. I don't think he ever really came back after that moment. Despite making positive changes in my life since that dark day, I've been in denial. I'm stubbornly clinging to something that's been slowly slipping through my fingers. He has a new degree, and he's starting a new job and a new life. He deserves it. I, on the other hand, am being pushed to the precipice of the autumn of my life. Am I now a cautionary tale? Older, alone, and staring down the one fear I wrote about when I turned 55, that is, of dying a lonely man? Throughout my life, I always wanted to get married and have a long life with someone. He never wanted to get married, so I held on to the foolish wish that maybe he'd change his mind. Coincidence or not, I just launched a book I coauthored about marriage equality. The irony hasn't been lost on me. I was writing about the kind of binding love I craved and never had, and most likely never will. Last week, a tech CEO famously got caught on the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert near Boston with his company's head of HR. They were warmly embracing, and then all hell broke loose. He's married with two kids. He was publicly affectionate with someone other than his wife. I watched the video in agony instead of laughing at it and the memes it generated. To me, it was awkward, messy, and human. It was also lethal. My thoughts were consumed by who was on the other side of either of those two people. For the CEO, I imagined that his wife would be grieving deeply and agonizingly contemplating the end of their relationship. What a horrible position to be in, realizing it was all falling apart. That's what it feels like when love leaves you. You don't think about redemption or therapy. You think about the house of cards that is love, tumbling down. 'Love is fleeting' is not an overused axiom. When it's alive, it's Godlike. And when it goes away, it's satanic. I've been thinking about the kiss cam moment too while listening to 'Wasted Love' on a constant loop. Trying to make sense of it all. Understanding that when love collapses it forces us to face questions we don't want the answers to. Deniability over culpability and compatibility Were the last 17 years, for me, wasted love? Was I fooling myself, thinking we'd grow old together? Was I so afraid of aging alone that I purposefully missed the signs,or ignored them that love would turn on me? And, was it all just a waste of time? After all is said and done, I'm right back where I started. Like everyone else who has faced these questions, I don't know what to do next. I don't know how to move forward. 'Now that you're gone, can't fill my heart with wasted love,' JJ sings. Is love ever truly wasted? Maybe all those years with someone meant something simply because we felt love so deeply that it's impossible to try to make that disappear. Too many photos, too many reminders. Too many 'You have memories to look back on today.' The remembrances are all-encompassing and all-consuming. That's why it's so tough to let go when you're holding on for dear life. Heartbreak can make you feel like you're adrift in a vast, cold ocean, unsure of where you will land. "I'm an ocean of love. And you're scared of water. You don′t want to go under. So you let me go under,' JJ relents. If I've learned anything from JJ's music and my own life, it's that there is power in giving voice to pain. In making beauty from sorrow. In admitting the truth, even when it hurts. Playwrights and screenwriters create comedy and drama about lost love. Musicians sing about it. And I can write about it, and that does provide a speck, albeit only a speck, of solace. But it's something. Because somewhere out there, someone else is listening to the same song, feeling the same ache. And maybe they'll know they're not alone. If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at or text START to 678678. Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride. This article originally appeared on Advocate: The confluence of JJ's 'Wasted Love,' the Coldplay kiss cam, and the end of my long-term relationship Solve the daily Crossword
Kuwait Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Austria's Eurovision winner wants 2026 edition ‘without Zionist entity'
Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch aka JJ, winner of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, reacts as he gives an interview after a press conference at the Chancellery in Vienna, Austria on May 19, 2025. --AFP This year's Eurovision Song Contest winner Austrian singer JJ called for the Zionist entity to be excluded from next year's competition in an interview published Thursday. He also expressed regret over Zionist entity 's participation in this year's competition despite the war in Gaza. Eurovision has faced criticism for allowing Zionist entity to participate in the contest despite the devastating Gaza war. This year, pro-Palestinian activists staged protests during the extravaganza in Switzerland over the weekend. Russia has not been allowed to participate in Eurovision since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 'It is very disappointing to see that Zionist entity continues to participate in the contest,' the 24-year-old countertenor told Spanish daily El Pais in an interview. 'I would like next year's Eurovision to take place in Vienna without Zionist entity,' he added. 'But the ball is in the court' of the organizer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), he said. 'We, the artists, can only express our views on the subject.' JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, also called for 'greater transparency' regarding the public vote, after Zionist singer Yuval Raphael was propelled into second place. 'This year, everything happened in a very strange way,' said JJ. The singer faced a backlash over his comments in Austria, one of Zionist entity 's staunchest supporters in Europe. The country's public broadcaster ORF distanced itself from his remarks, saying they 'reflected a personal opinion', APA news agency reported. JJ said he was 'sorry if his comments had been misinterpreted' via his record label Warner. On Monday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of the most outspoken critics of the Zionist government, said Zionist entity should be excluded from Eurovision. He expressed his solidarity with 'the people of Palestine who are experiencing the injustice of war and bombardment'. 'What we cannot allow is double standards in culture,' Sanchez said in reference to Russia's ban. Zionist entity has come under massive international pressure to abandon its intensified military campaign in Gaza and allow urgent humanitarian aid into the besieged strip. — AFP
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Could Eurovision 2026 go on without Israel?
According to The Guardian, Austria's 24-year-old Eurovision winner, Johannes Pietsch, better known by his stage name JJ, has ignited a political firestorm after calling for Israel to be excluded from next year's song contest in Vienna. "It is very disappointing to see that Israel continues to participate in the contest," JJ told Spanish outlet El País in a post-victory interview. "I would like next year's Eurovision to take place in Vienna without Israel." The singer's comments come amid mounting global scrutiny over Israel's brutal aggression against Gaza. Despite widespread protests and activist pressure during this year's contest in Switzerland, Israel competed with Yuval Raphael's entry New Day Will Rise, which placed second after a surge in public voting. JJ questioned the transparency of that vote, noting the Israeli artist's sudden leap in points. "This year, everything happened in a very strange way," he said. He also demanded "greater transparency" in the Eurovision voting process and questioned whether the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was applying its rules consistently. "The ball is in the court of the organisers," JJ acknowledged. "We, the artists, can only express our views on the subject." His remarks triggered a swift response from Austria's national broadcaster ORF, which moved to distance itself from the controversy, emphasising that JJ's views "reflected a personal opinion." Through his label Warner, the singer later added he was "sorry if his comments had been misinterpreted." Still, JJ's stance has struck a chord beyond Austria. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israeli policy, also called for Israel's exclusion from Eurovision, citing cultural "double standards." In 2022, Russia was banned from Eurovision following its war with Ukraine. "What we cannot allow are double standards in culture," Sánchez said on Monday, referencing Russia's continued ban from the contest. As calls grow for the EBU to reassess its position, pressure is mounting to ensure that Eurovision, a contest that claims to celebrate unity and peace, does not become, as critics fear, a stage for selective solidarity. Whether the EBU will act on JJ's plea remains to be seen. As Israel's military aggression in Gaza continues unabated, over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed and 122,382 injured to date, according to Al Jazeera. In response to this worsening humanitarian crisis, artists and audiences alike are asking difficult questions about complicity, cultural diplomacy, and what Eurovision truly stands for.
Extra.ie
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Eurovision winner JJ says he hopes next year's contest will take place without Israel
This year's Eurovision winner, JJ, says he would like next year's competition to take place without Israel. 'It's very disappointing… I would like Eurovision to be held in Vienna next year, without Israel. But the ball is in the EBU's court. We, the artists, can only speak out on the matter,' said the Austrian artist to Spanish newspaper El País. The 24-year-old singer, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, claimed victory at the song contest with the song 'Wasted Love.' In a tightly contested final, Pietsch finished just ahead of Israel's Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attacks. Her song 'New Day Will Rise' received the most public votes. 'There should be greater transparency regarding the [public vote]. This year, everything was very strange about it,' said Pietsch. His remarks echo growing concern among several national broadcasters. Spain's national broadcaster RTVE has requested a full audit of the voting system, with Ireland and Finland also expressing support for a review. Belgium's VRT has threatened to withdraw from the contest if concerns go unaddressed. The director of Eurovision, Martin Green, made a statement this week calling the contest's voting system 'the most advanced in the world'. Pietsch, who is queer, also told El Pas he attempted to bring an LGBTQ+ flag on stage during his final performance, but 'the organisers caught [him] at the last minute.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eurovison winner calls for Israel to be banned from next song contest
The winner of last week's Eurovision has called for Israel to be barred from competing in the song contest next year. JJ, the Austrian singer who won the competition in Switzerland with his song Wasted Love, said the country should not perform amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The 24-year-old operatic singer, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, told the Spanish newspaper El Pais: 'It is very disappointing to see Israel still participating in the contest. 'I would like the next Eurovision to be held in Vienna and without Israel.' It comes as the competition, supposed to be apolitical, faced another year of controversy over Israel's involvement given the continuing military campaign in neighbouring Gaza. Israel's Eurovision contestant, Yuval Raphael, finished in second place after securing a large margin of the public vote. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organiser of the contest, has been facing accusations of voter manipulation in favour of Israel from various national broadcasters, including the Spanish and Belgian representatives. Elsewhere, Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, also called for Israel's exclusion from competing in the future. Ms Raphael, 24, a survivor of the Hamas assault on the Nova music festival on Oct 7 2023, was disrupted in her final performance in Basel by pro-Palestinian protesters who tried to storm the stage. She ended up scoring 357 points for her song New Day Will Rise after admitting that she had prepared to perform with booing onstage following similar treatment of Eden Golan, the Israeli contestant last year. Credit: Youth Demand Her result has caused increased scrutiny of the Eurovision voting system, in which entrants receive points from a professional jury from each country, as well as from a public vote. The maximum amount of points from any country's jury or the public is 12. Many countries awarded Israel the maximum 'douze points' for the public vote, despite their professional juries giving the country zero points. Viewers at home can vote up to 20 times for a small cost charged to each vote by text or phone call. Austria's JJ said the vote-counting system should be revised to improve transparency, echoing calls from various broadcasters to the EBU. Katia Segers, a Flemish parliamentarian, said: 'A system in which everyone can cast up to 20 votes is a system that encourages manipulation. Whether this manipulation occurred in our country and all other participating and non-participating countries must be investigated.' In response to the claims, Martin Green, the director of Eurovision, said: 'It is important to emphasise that the voting operation for the Eurovision Song Contest is the most advanced in the world and each country's result is checked and verified by a huge team of people to exclude any suspicious or irregular voting patterns. 'An independent compliance monitor reviews both jury and public vote data to ensure we have a valid result.' He added: 'We remain in constant contact with all participating broadcasters of the Eurovision Song Contest and take their concerns seriously.' JJ's remarks followed protests calling for a boycott of the competition as well as an open letter published a week before the contest, which featured more than 70 previous Eurovision contestants calling on the organisers to ban Israel and its broadcaster KAN. During last Saturday's grand finale, the Spanish broadcaster RTVE also came under fire after it took a stand against Israel's inclusion. For 16 seconds, Spanish viewers saw a black screen with white lettering in Spanish and English that read: 'When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
