Austrian singer JJ won the Eurovision Song Contest with « Wasted Love, » a song that combines operatic, multi-octave vocals with techno.
Classically trained Austrian singer JJ won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Saturday with “Wasted Love,” a song that combines operatic, multi-octave vocals with a techno twist.
Israel’s Yuval Raphael came second at an exuberant celebration of music and unity that was shadowed by the Gaza war and ruffled by discord over Israel’s participation.
JJ, whose full name is Johannes Pietsch, was Austria’s first winner since bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst in 2014. JJ, who sings as a countertenor with the Vienna State Opera, has called Wurst a mentor. It was Austria’s third victory overall in Eurovision.
“This is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s crazy,” said the singer after being handed the microphone-shaped glass Eurovision trophy.
JJ won after a nail-biting final that saw Raphael scoop up a massive public vote from her many fans for her anthemic “New Day Will Rise.” But she also faced protests from pro-Palestinian demonstrators calling for Israel to be kicked out of the contest over its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza.
Estonia’s Tommy Cash came third with “Espresso Macchiato,” and Swedish entry KAJ, who had been favorite to win with jaunty sauna ode “Bara Bada Bastu,” came fourth.
The world’s largest live music event reached its glitter-drenched conclusion with a grand final in Basel, Switzerland that offered pounding electropop, quirky rock and outrageous divas.
Acts from 26 countries – trimmed from 37 entrants through two elimination semifinals – performed to some 160 million viewers for the continent’s pop crown.
