Quick facts about JJ, The Austrian-Filipino Countertenor Who Won Eurovision 2025
JJ’s victory marks Austria’s third win at the world’s longest-running song competition
An operatic victory
With a voice that pierces the sky, Johannes Pietsch, known by his stage name JJ, sang toward victory at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, held at Basel, Switzerland.
His winning performance of ‘Wasted Love,’ an original song that combines pop-opera and techno elements, garnered 436 votes, placing JJ well above Israel at 357 points and Estonia at 356 points.
In January 2025, ‘Wasted Love’ was selected as Austria’s official entry for Eurovision 2025. Inspired by personal experiences, the song explores the torment of unrequited love—where JJ gave his all, but nothing was returned.
The official music video depicts JJ aboard a ship, overwhelmed by what he calls an ‘ocean of love.’ Directed by Viennese filmmaker Vesely Marek, the video is described as a ‘visual journey into the deep abyss of unrequited love.’
A young culturati
Born in Vienna and raised in Dubai, the Filipino-Austrian countertenor grew up exposed to pop through family karaoke parties and to opera through his father.
In 2016, he returned to Austria, where he currently studies classical music and performs at the Vienna State Opera. On top of his native German, JJ is fluent in English, French, and Tagalog.
JJ isn’t a stranger to competing, having joined The Voice UK in 2020 and Austrian talent show Starmania in 2021. His recent victory marks Austria’s return to the top of Eurovision, eleven years after drag queen Conchita Wurst won the competition.
He is also the second Filipino to represent Austria at Eurovision, following Vincent Bueno who competed and finished 12th in 2021.
Photo courtesy Instagram
