Honestly, if you’d told me a year ago that we’d be heading to Vienna in 2026, I might have checked if you were feeling okay. Basel was a wild ride. But here we are. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 winner has officially been crowned, and the trophy belongs to Austria’s very own JJ.
His song, "Wasted Love," didn't just win; it kinda redefined what we expect from a Eurovision entry in the modern era.
It’s funny how the "experts" always think they have it figured out. Before the show, everyone was betting the farm on Sweden’s KAJ or maybe Estonia’s Tommy Cash. But JJ—real name Johannes Pietsch—managed to pull off something pretty spectacular at the St. Jakobshalle. He scored a massive 436 points. That’s not a close race; that’s a statement.
How Austria Stole the Show in Basel
Let's look at the numbers because they tell a story that the flashy lights usually hide.
JJ didn't actually win the televote. That’s the big secret nobody really talks about when they mention the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 winner. Israel’s Yuval Raphael actually took the top spot with the public, pulling in 297 points from the fans at home. But the juries? They were obsessed with JJ. He grabbed 258 points from the professional juries, which basically acted as a massive safety net.
He’s a countertenor. If you don't know what that is, basically, he can hit notes that make most professional singers sweat. He’s classically trained and spends his days at the Vienna State Opera, but "Wasted Love" wasn't some stuffy opera track. It started as this haunting, operatic ballad and then—BAM—it turned into a full-on club anthem.
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The Final Leaderboard Breakout
If you missed the broadcast on May 17, 2025, the top five ended up looking like this:
- Austria: JJ – "Wasted Love" (436 points)
- Israel: Yuval Raphael – "New Day Will Rise" (357 points)
- Estonia: Tommy Cash – "Espresso Macchiato" (356 points)
- Sweden: KAJ – "Bara bada bastu" (321 points)
- Italy: Lucio Corsi – "Volevo essere un duro" (256 points)
Poor Estonia was literally one point away from second place. One point! Can you imagine the tension in that green room?
Why JJ’s Victory Actually Matters
This win is Austria’s third time taking the glass microphone. They did it way back in 1966 with Udo Jürgens and then again with the iconic Conchita Wurst in 2014. JJ actually cited Conchita as his "Eurovision mother" in interviews, which is kinda sweet. He’s been dreaming of this since he was a kid watching her win.
But here’s the thing.
The 2025 contest was messy. There’s no other way to put it. Between the protests outside the arena and the paint-throwing incident during Israel's performance, the vibe was tense. When JJ stood up there and asked for "more love," it didn't feel like a scripted line. It felt like everyone in that room just needed a breather.
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The "Voice UK" Connection
A lot of people don't realize JJ actually tried his luck on The Voice UK back in 2020. He didn't win that, obviously, but it’s a classic Eurovision trope, isn't it? Fail on a reality show, go back to your roots, and then conquer Europe five years later. He co-wrote "Wasted Love" with Teodora Špirić—who fans might remember as Teya from Teya & Salena (Austria 2023)—and Thomas Thurner. That songwriting pedigree definitely helped polish the track into something the juries could respect.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Results
There's this idea that Eurovision is just a popularity contest.
If that were true, Yuval Raphael would be the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 winner. She had the public behind her in a huge way. But the EBU uses a weighted system for a reason. They want technical excellence as much as they want a "bop." JJ delivered both. He was fourth in the televote, but his jury lead was so massive it didn't matter.
Also, can we talk about Switzerland for a second?
They hosted a great show in Basel, but their entry, Zoë Më, got a big fat zero from the public. Zero. That’s got to hurt when you’re the host nation. The juries liked her enough to keep her in 10th place overall, but the "people" just weren't feeling the vibe.
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Moving Toward Vienna 2026
So, what's next? Well, the circus moves to Vienna.
The city has already been confirmed as the host for the 70th edition of the contest in 2026. If you're planning on going, start saving now. Austria is already fretting about the price tag—hosting this thing isn't cheap, especially with the security requirements these days.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the next season, here are the immediate things to keep an eye on:
- National Selection Dates: Most countries start picking their 2026 acts in January and February.
- Vienna Venue Announcements: Keep a lookout for ticket sales for the Wiener Stadthalle; they usually go fast.
- JJ’s Debut Album: He’s expected to drop a full-length project later this year that leans into that "Classical-meets-Club" sound.
The 2025 season might be over, but the fallout—and the music—is going to be stuck in our heads for a long time.