Austria’s JJ Wins Eurovision 2025 with Powerful Ballad ‘Wasted Love’

Austria has claimed its third Eurovision Song Contest victory, thanks to the stunning performance of singer JJ and his operatic pop anthem, Wasted Love. The glittering grand final took place in Basel, Switzerland, where JJ captivated audiences with his powerful vocals and dramatic staging that evoked the image of a shipwreck.

This win marks Austria’s first Eurovision triumph since Conchita Wurst’s iconic victory in 2014.

Israel took second place with Yuval Raphael, who delivered a moving performance of New Day Will Rise. Raphael’s story is especially poignant — she is a survivor of the Hamas attacks that shook the region on October 7, 2023. Estonia finished third, while San Marino unfortunately landed in last place.

Before the final, JJ shared his emotions with CNN: “I feel very humbled and honored that the music I’m sharing is being so well received. This is exactly the kind of music I want to keep creating.” He also opened up about his inspiration, saying, “I had a tough year, and I wanted to write about my experience with unreciprocated love. If I win, I’ll probably cry and call my family.”

Eurovision remains one of the most celebrated events on the LGBTQ+ calendar and draws fans from across Europe, showcasing a dazzling mix of talent, creativity, and eccentricity.

This year’s lineup featured a variety of standout acts: a Latvian ethno-pop six-piece blending folk chants and fairytale visuals; a Ukrainian glam rock band; an Estonian performer offering a playful take on Italian coffee culture; and an Albanian duo whose haunting song Zjerm quickly became a fan favorite.

A rumored appearance by Eurovision legend Celine Dion — who won for Switzerland in 1988 — did not happen, much to the disappointment of many fans. Alongside ABBA, Dion remains one of the contest’s most beloved alumni.

While Eurovision insists on being an apolitical event, it has never been immune to Europe’s political tensions. Russia and Belarus were banned following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Israel’s participation has sparked debate due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

At the event, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performed in an arena where Palestinian flags were displayed — a decision made after a rule change by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The final moments of Raphael’s performance were interrupted when two individuals attempted to storm the stage. According to the EBU, one of the intruders threw paint, hitting a crew member who was fortunately unharmed. The incident was swiftly managed, and the show went on.