Austria has claimed its third Eurovision Song Contest victory, with singer JJ captivating the continent’s audience with his powerful operatic pop anthem “Wasted Love.” The song, which showcases JJ’s remarkable vocals, was staged in a dramatic style that evoked a shipwreck, dazzling the crowd in Basel, Switzerland.
JJ, a classically trained Austrian-Filipino singer, expressed his gratitude and humility before the final, saying, “I feel very, very humbled and honored that the artwork that I’m putting out there is being so well accepted. This is the kind of music that I want to continue making.”
A Song of Personal Experience
JJ shared the inspiration behind his song, saying, “I had a pretty tough year, and I wanted to write about my personal experience with wasted, unreciprocated love.” He added that if he won the final, he would “probably break down, start crying and then call my family.”
The Eurovision grand final is a defining event on the LGBTQ+ calendar, attracting interest across the continent and showcasing some of Europe’s most talented and varied performers. This year’s contest featured a diverse range of acts, including a Latvian ethno-pop six-piece, a Ukrainian glam rock-inspired group, and an Albanian double act whose haunting track “Zjerm” became a fan favorite.
Controversy and Politics
Despite organizers’ insistence that Eurovision is an apolitical event, the contest has long been embroiled in the continent’s tensions. Russia and Belarus were banned following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, and Israel’s participation has been opposed by segments of the fanbase due to the country’s ongoing war in Gaza.
During the Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael’s performance, a man and a woman attempted to storm the stage, with one of them throwing paint and hitting a crew member. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed the incident, saying that the crew member was fine and nobody was injured. Raphael, a survivor of Hamas’ October 7 attacks, ultimately finished second in the leaderboard with her powerful performance of “New Day Will Rise.”
Estonia took third place, while San Marino earned the last-place spot. As the dust settles on this year’s contest, JJ’s victory marks a triumphant moment for Austria, and his song “Wasted Love” will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout performances of the competition.