Austrian singer JJ has triumphed at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel, Switzerland, claiming victory after an intense and closely contested finale.
The competition came down to the wire, with JJ narrowly overtaking Israel, who had been leading for most of the event.
The 24-year-old counter-tenor, who is known for his work at the Vienna State Opera, captivated audiences with his stirring entry, Wasted Love—an emotional electro-ballad exploring the pain and passion of unrequited love.
As JJ stepped forward to receive the prestigious glass microphone trophy, his voice trembled with emotion. “Thank you so much for making my dreams come true,” he said, visibly moved by the moment.
“Love is the strongest force in the world, let’s spread more love.” His heartfelt speech resonated deeply with the crowd, underlining the universal theme behind his song’s success.
JJ’s victory was sealed with a total of 436 points, a commanding lead over Israel, which placed second with 357 points, and Estonia, which closely followed in third with 356 points.
Other countries fared differently, with the United Kingdom’s act, Remember Monday, finishing in 19th place after earning 88 points.
The final rankings highlighted the diverse musical tastes and fierce competition characteristic of Eurovision.
The celebrations backstage were equally touching. JJ’s younger sister, overcome with joy, broke through security to embrace him moments after his win was announced.
The singer revealed that his entire family had gathered to support him in Basel, including his 85-year-old grandfather and his four-month-old niece, who had watched the event from outside alongside JJ’s brother. “Having my family here meant everything,” JJ later reflected.
Austria’s win marks the country’s third Eurovision victory. Their previous wins include Udo Jürgens with Merci, Cherie in 1966 and the iconic Conchita Wurst, who won in 2014 with Rise Like a Phoenix.
JJ has openly acknowledged that Conchita’s groundbreaking performance was a major inspiration for him to participate in the contest.
“Conchita showed me that you can be yourself and still shine on this stage,” he shared.
Despite JJ’s steady popularity among fans and bookmakers, Sweden’s entry was widely regarded as the favorite going into the final.
KAJ’s playful tribute to sauna culture, Bara Bada Bastu, was a crowd-pleaser and eventually secured fourth place.
However, it was JJ’s poignant ballad and powerful stage presence that ultimately won over both juries and viewers alike.
After the contest, JJ expressed his gratitude for the connection his song had made with the audience.
“I’m so pleased people could feel my story of heartache,” he said. “I wanted to give them a glimpse into my deepest soul and how I felt when we wrote the song.”
He added, “What I’m trying to commit to is that there’s no wasted love. There’s so much love to spread. It’s the strongest force on planet earth.”
When asked about his plans for celebration, JJ laughed and admitted his exhaustion.
“Honestly, I need to sleep now. I’m tired,” he said with a smile, showing the toll such a high-stakes competition can take even in moments of triumph.
This year’s Eurovision was not without controversy. For the second consecutive year, Israel’s participation was met with protests tied to the ongoing military conflict in Gaza.
Demonstrators gathered on the streets of Basel hours before the contest to voice their opposition.
The tensions escalated during Israel’s live performance when a man and a woman attempted to storm the stage.
According to Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, “One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit.”
Fortunately, the crew member was unharmed. “The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police,” the statement added, highlighting the swift action taken to ensure the safety of all involved.
Despite the disruption, Israel’s young singer Yuval Raphael continued her performance without visible interruption.
At just 25 years old, Raphael is a survivor of the Hamas attacks that took place on October 7, 2023, an experience that deeply influenced her delicate ballad, New Day Will Rise. Her performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and dignity.
The Israeli delegation later issued a statement expressing their mixed emotions about the incident.
They said Raphael was “shaken and upset” but remained “extremely proud” of how she represented Israel with respect and grace.
The resilience shown by Raphael in the face of adversity reflected the spirit of the contest and the unifying power of music even amidst political tensions.
Eurovision 2025: The top five contestants
- Austria: JJ – Wasted Love
- Israel: Yuval Raphael: New Day Will Rise
- Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
- Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
- Italy: Lucio Corsi – Volevo Essere Un Duro
