He’s the revelation of Eurovision<\/a>. Singer JJ<\/strong>, who represented Austria on the 69th version of the globally well-known tune contest, gained the coveted glass microphone in Basel on Saturday, May 17. \u201cIt’s absolutely crazy, my dreams have come true,\u201d marveled JJ, whose actual identify is Johannes Pietsch, on the post-competition press convention<\/a>. \u201cIt’s incredible.\u201d The 24-year-old Filipino-Austrian gained with 436 factors. He was forward of Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael<\/strong>, who got here second with 357 factors, only one level forward of Estonian Tommy Cash<\/strong> and his controversial tune \u201cEspresso Macchiato.\u201d<\/p>\n JJ, candidat de l’Autriche, a remport\u00e9 l’Eurovision 2025.<\/p>\n <\/span>image alliance\/Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n With every passing efficiency, JJ solidified his place because the clear favourite. Not due to any shortcomings within the different twenty-five candidates (though the usual was decrease this 12 months) however due to his excellence, which instantly set him other than the remainder of the group. Endowed with a countertenor voice (the very best vary amongst males) able to catching excessively excessive notes, he delivered a efficiency as delicate because it was highly effective. With its false airs of harmless pop balladry, the tune surprises with ethereal operatic swerves earlier than its frenetic grand finale with techno accents. The nearly three minutes of condensed pop opera gave him time to display the standard of his vocal approach. \u201cWasted Love,\u201d which he co-wrote and co-composed, evokes a drifting love into which his protagonist throws himself, main him to his doom. This is his first and solely recorded monitor up to now.<\/p>\n JJ sings \u201cWasted Love.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span>image alliance\/Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n JJ \u2014the stage identify he selected for himself after being nicknamed by his mates \u2014 was born in Vienna in 2001, to a mom from the Philippines, a prepare dinner by commerce, and an Austrian father who works as an IT specialist. He grew up in Dubai earlier than returning to his hometown in 2016. Eurovision was not his first singing competitors. In 2020, he took half within the English model of the The Voice,<\/em> becoming a member of Will.i.am<\/strong>‘s crew, earlier than ending, the next 12 months, among the many finalists of the Austrian present Starmania<\/em>. At the identical time, he gained over classical music followers by performing supporting roles on the Vienna Opera. He honed his methods on the MUK, Vienna’s demanding personal artwork and music college, whereas drawing inspiration from his function fashions, the immense sopranos Maria Callas, Montserrat Caball\u00e9 and Anna Netrebko<\/strong>, together with Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n “What successful! What a voice! What a present!” stated Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen<\/strong> on X<\/a>. \u201cDear JJ, congratulations on your brilliant first place at the Eurovision Song Contest. All of Austria is delighted!\u201d<\/p>\n This was Austria’s third victory, after Udo J\u00fcrgens<\/strong>, winner in 1966 who carried out \u201cMerci, Ch\u00e9rie,\u201d after which Conchita Wurst<\/strong>, in 2014, with \u201cRise Like a Phoenix.\u201d The latter took JJ underneath her wing. \u201cWhen JJ sings, it’s like the clocks stop ticking,\u201d she commented to AFP, emphasizing how “spectacular” the performer is.<\/p>\n In the meantime, JJ must forgo the week off he had deliberate for himself to get better from this journey, he confided after his victory. On the agenda: weeks of writing and recording his first EP. Plus he is already enthusiastic about internet hosting Eurovision in Austria subsequent 12 months. If potential within the capital, he asks, as his boyfriend lives there, which might allow him \u201cto have practical accommodation.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"JJ](\"https:\/\/media.vanityfair.com\/photos\/682b31e0b6d2e100a9c47343\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-2215083289.jpg\")
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