And the Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Is: JJ Pietsch!

Austrian Filipino singer wins the international pop competition Johannes Pietsch, also known as JJ, displays his Eurovision trophy. (Photo by Denise Auer via Heute.at , licensed under CC BY 4.0 ) May 17, 2025 —the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland—was a big day for the Filipino and Austrian communities. When 23-year-old Austrian Filipino singer Johannes Pietsch, also known as JJ, secured a place in the final after the semi-finals on Thursday, hopes for a victory were high. He came in fifth place with 104 points. But who would have thought that he would actually win for Austria on the final evening? According to the bookmakers, JJ had a good chance, but there were many other talented artists who also had a chance of winning.  JJ was the ninth to sing his song and, thanks to his vocal acrobatics, dramatic performance and song, he prevailed over all the other artists and entries. His performance was cheered both in the St. Jakobshalle in Basel and in front of television screens. His artistry was rewarded with votes from both the national jury (with a total of 258 points) and the audience (with a total of 178 points), with the national jury awarding him a total of eight 12-point scores. It is therefore no surprise that he won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with an outstanding 436 points.  A rising superstar Johannes was born in Vienna, the son of an Austrian IT specialist and a Filipino chef. He spent most of his childhood in Dubai and returned to Austria with his family in 2016. He speaks several languages, including Tagalog, and also learned Arabic while studying at an international school in Dubai. Johannes’ musical career began quite early. When his family returned to Austria, he attended the opera school of the Vienna State Opera. In 2020, he took part in the ninth season of the casting show The Voice UK after missing the deadline for The Voice Germany. There, he was selected in the blind auditions by Will.i.am , the American rapper and singer from the hip-hop band The Black Eyed Peas, and made it to the knockouts. He tried his luck again the following year, taking part in the fifth season of the Austrian casting show Starmania, where he made it to the first final show.  In 2023, he began studying at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna (MUK), where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in solo singing. JJ also regularly performs in productions at the Vienna State Opera. JJ‘s musical style combines elements of opera and pop. As a soprano-type countertenor with a vocal range extending into the high soprano register, he explores both genres through an intense and expressive vocal and interpretative approach. Some facts about JJ In an interview with the online newspaper The National, JJ mentioned that he discovered his love for music, especially classical music, during his childhood in Dubai. He also said in the interview that his parents hosted karaoke parties almost every weekend and that he and his sisters loved to sing along, especially songs by Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey. His father also played classical music for them, which is another reason why he sings ‘popera’ today. He considers it a privilege to be able to combine both worlds.  In another interview with the website queer.de , JJ describes himself as queer and proud to represent the LGBTQIA+ community. He says he is now the voice of the queer community in Austria and also for anyone who feels represented by him. His personal message is simply to love one another, because love is the most beautiful thing in the world and hate is the most terrible. When you are there for each other, everything can work out great. Twelve points go to Austria In early January 2025, the Austrian broadcasting station ORF announced that JJ would represent Austria at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘Wasted Love’. He was chosen for his vocal artistry. ‘Wasted Love’ is a surprising drama, a pop opera about wasted love lasting just under three minutes. In an interview with an Austrian daily newspaper Kleine Zeitung, he said that the song is about his experiences from his former relationship that ended last year. ‘This love was painful; like a one-way street, there was nothing coming back’, said JJ.  JJ Pietsch is the second Filipino to represent Austria in the world biggest music competition Eurovision Song Contest. Vincent Bueno  also represented Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in the Netherlands after the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was cancelled on 18 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Roots & Wings and the entire Filipino community in Austria and Europe congratulate JJ Pietsch on his successful victory and wish him all the best for his future. We are proud of you, Kabayan. Maligayang pagbati sa iyong pagtatanghal, JJ!