Filipino-Austrian singer JJ clinched the top spot at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, with his song “Wasted Love.”
Born Johannes Pietsch, the 24-year-old singer earned a total of 436 points—258 from the jury and 178 from the public—securing Austria’s third Eurovision title after wins in 1966 and 2014.
JJ, who grew up in Dubai before settling in Vienna, made history as the first Eurovision winner of Filipino descent. A proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, he drew praise for his bold performance style and genre-defying approach to pop music.
“This win is for anyone who’s ever felt out of place. Love is never wasted,” said JJ.
Austria now prepares to host Eurovision 2026, with Vienna among the cities expressing interest.
The contest featured 26 finalists. Israel’s Yuval Raphael placed second, while Estonia’s Tommy Cash came in third. The event pushed through despite earlier protests tied to geopolitical tensions.