Austria has won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, held in Basel, Switzerland, with JJ, an Austrian-Filipino delivering a standout performance of his song “Wasted Love.” The emotional ballad, featuring a haunting falsetto and techno-infused reprise, earned him 436 points and marked Austria’s first Eurovision victory since 2014.
JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, is a countertenor — a rare male voice type that can sing in a range usually reserved for female sopranos. His unique voice, paired with a deeply expressive performance, captured the hearts of both the jury and public voters across Europe. Born in Vienna in 2001 to an Austrian father and a Filipino mother, JJ spent much of his childhood in Dubai, where he was introduced to pop through family karaoke sessions and opera through his father. These influences helped shape his signature pop-opera sound.
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Visibly emotional after being announced as the winner, JJ returned to the stage to perform “Wasted Love” again, this time with a high-energy remix that brought the crowd at St. Jakobshalle arena to their feet. His victory came after a tight race amongst 26 competing countries—Austria and Switzerland traded leads in the jury vote, and Israel surged in the public vote with a massive 297 points. But JJ’s combined score secured the win by a 79-point margin. Israel’s Yuval Raphael finished in second place, while Estonia’s Tommy Cash secured third. Rounding out the top five were Sweden in fourth and Italy in fifth.
A son of an Austrian IT specialist and a Filipino cook, Pietsch is no stranger to performance. He gained national recognition as a finalist on the Austrian talent show Starmania in 2021 and currently sings with the Vienna State Opera. He also studies classical music at the Music and Art Private University of Vienna, further developing the voice that has now won him international acclaim.
This year’s contest was especially meaningful, returning to Switzerland—the birthplace of Eurovision in 1956. The show opened with a message from 1988 Eurovision winner Céline Dion, who celebrated its return to Swiss soil.
Despite political tensions and calls for Israel’s exclusion due to the conflict in Gaza, Eurovision organizers chose to move forward with all qualified countries. The event stood by its motto, “United by Music,” bringing together artists from across the continent in a spirit of connection and creativity.
It’s a proud moment for Austria and a celebration of his Filipino heritage. As an Austrian-Filipino countertenor with a voice unlike any other in the competition, JJ proved that music knows no boundaries. His story and talent have left a lasting mark on the Eurovision stage.
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