Day: May 19, 2025

The 24-year-old Austrian-Filipino countertenor captivated Europe with his genre-blending ballad “Wasted Love.” JJ’s win marks Austria’s third Eurovision triumph, following Udo Jürgens in 1966 and Conchita Wurst in 2014. Born in Vienna to an Austrian father and a Filipina mother, JJ spent much of his childhood in Dubai before returning to Austria in 2016. Fluent in German, English, French, and Tagalog, he embodies a multicultural identity that resonates deeply with Austria’s Filipino diaspora. Many were moved to tears by his soaring vocals and the emotional depth of his song. Social…

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Austria’s Eurovision champion, JJ—Johannes Pietsch—returned to Vienna on Sunday, sparking a media frenzy and back-to-back coverage on ORF. The 24-year-old countertenor, fresh off his victory in Basel with the operatic-techno anthem “Wasted Love,” was greeted at Vienna International Airport by hundreds of fans waving flags, playing his song, and showering him with hugs and roses. JJ, who also performs at the Vienna State Opera, held his Eurovision trophy and thanked them for their warm welcome. His emotional homecoming quickly transitioned into a press conference at the ORF headquarters, where he…

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