JJ Snatches Eurovision 2025 Crown For Austria With Operatic Banger “Wasted Love”
A countertenor in a club anthem? Austria just said yes.
At this year’s Eurovision Grand Final, it was Austria that walked away with the trophy and a serious glow-up in the European pop scene thanks to Wasted Love, the dramatic, genre-bending entry from countertenor JJ. The 36-year-old singer stunned both juries and audiences with a performance that merged opera and dancefloor realness into something no one saw coming but everyone seemed to vote for.
Held Saturday night, the contest delivered the usual mix of sparkles, chaos, and high emotion. But JJ’s haunting falsetto and orchestral-to-club production cut through the glitter like a knife. Scoring 436 points, Austria edged past fierce contenders, including Israel and Switzerland, to claim the win.
An unexpected vocal for a very modern track
JJ, whose background is in classical opera, flipped the script on what a Eurovision pop anthem can sound like. Wasted Love opens with swelling strings that feel straight out of a movie soundtrack before shifting into a pounding club drop — a kind of musical bait-and-switch that worked.
His countertenor vocals, not a register you often hear in a pop competition, gave the track a unique texture. It’s bold, a little eerie, and unmistakably his. Eurovision has always loved a wildcard, but this one felt genuinely fresh.
Where were the favourites?
While JJ was nabbing votes, a few of the night’s presumed front-runners didn’t fare as well. Switzerland’s entry, despite being a popular pick, was snubbed by the public vote. And Sweden’s KAJ — whose towel-clad performance of Bara Bada Bastu celebrated Nordic sauna culture with tongue firmly in cheek — failed to land with voters on the night.
Even Israel’s Yuval Raphael, performing New Day Will Rise, stirred more headlines than applause. Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attacks, brought a message of hope to the stage, but the political tensions surrounding Israel’s participation cast a long shadow. He still managed to finish in second place with 357 points, though not without controversy and a mixed crowd reaction.
Still no Celine, but plenty of drama
Celine Dion, the Canadian icon, who famously won Eurovision for Switzerland in 1988, was rumoured to be making a return. However, due to her ongoing health issues, she sent only a video message during the semi-finals, calling her Eurovision win “life-changing.” Fans hoping for a dramatic walk-on moment were left disappointed, but if you squinted, you could almost feel her spirit floating somewhere between the pyro and confetti.
Eurovision politics: Still alive and kicking
Eurovision has never been immune to the politics of its participants. This year was no different. Greece and Cyprus continued their tradition of voting for each other, while the tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan was once again reflected in the scoreboard. Azerbaijan didn’t make it to the final, but still managed to send a message by giving Armenia zero points.
In a contest that’s meant to be about unity through music, the scoreboard often says otherwise. But that’s always been part of Eurovision’s chaotic charm.
The show itself was peak Eurovision: part spectacle, part fever dream. Norway’s Kyle Alessandro opened the night in metallic armour, performing Lighter in front of literal flames. Finland’s Erika Vikman offered up Ich Komme, a provocative track that ended with her flying above the stage on a flaming microphone stand. Yes, really.
Poland brought back Justyna Steczkowska after 30 years with a CGI dragon and an LED screen that looked like Game of Thrones met RuPaul’s Drag Race. And the UK’s entry, Remember Monday, was all about heart over hype. Speaking before the event, band member Holly-Anne Hull said, “All we’ve ever dreamed of is doing this band full time.”
What happens next for JJ and Wasted Love?
JJ’s win doesn’t just mean a trophy and bragging rights. With a TV audience that rivals the Super Bowl (last year’s Eurovision reached 163 million viewers), this is a massive platform. Past winners like ABBA and Måneskin turned their Eurovision moments into global stardom. Others have charted across Europe, even if their fame fades after the glitter settles.
But Wasted Love feels like it might have legs. It’s already gaining traction on streaming platforms, and with JJ’s unique vocal edge, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the track cross borders — and genres.
Austria’s big win proves one thing: strange is still sexy at Eurovision. And when you add a voice that hits the rafters to a beat that hits the chest, apparently Europe can’t resist.
