He’s the revelation of Eurovision. Singer JJ, who represented Austria at the 69th version of the globally well-known track contest, gained the coveted glass microphone in Basel on Saturday, May 17. “It’s absolutely crazy, my dreams have come true,” marveled JJ, whose actual title is Johannes Pietsch, at the post-competition press conference. “It’s incredible.” The 24-year-old Filipino-Austrian gained with 436 factors. He was forward of Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael, who got here second with 357 factors, only one level forward of Estonian Tommy Cash and his controversial track “Espresso Macchiato.”
With every passing efficiency, JJ solidified his place as the clear favourite. Not as a result of of any shortcomings in the different twenty-five candidates (though the normal was decrease this 12 months) however as a result of of his excellence, which instantly set him aside from the relaxation of the group. Endowed with a countertenor voice (the highest vary amongst males) succesful of catching excessively excessive notes, he delivered a efficiency as delicate because it was highly effective. With its false airs of harmless pop balladry, the track surprises with ethereal operatic swerves earlier than its frenetic grand finale with techno accents. The virtually three minutes of condensed pop opera gave him time to exhibit the high quality of his vocal approach. “Wasted Love,” which he co-wrote and co-composed, evokes a drifting love into which his protagonist throws himself, main him to his doom. This is his first and solely recorded monitor so far.
JJ —the stage title he selected for himself after being nicknamed by his associates — was born in Vienna in 2001, to a mom from the Philippines, a cook dinner by commerce, and an Austrian father who works as an IT specialist. He grew up in Dubai earlier than returning to his hometown in 2016. Eurovision was not his first singing competitors. In 2020, he took half in the English model of the The Voice, becoming a member of Will.i.am‘s staff, earlier than ending, the following 12 months, amongst the finalists of the Austrian present Starmania. At the similar time, he gained over classical music followers by performing supporting roles at the Vienna Opera. He honed his strategies at the MUK, Vienna’s demanding personal artwork and music college, whereas drawing inspiration from his function fashions, the immense sopranos Maria Callas, Montserrat Caballé and Anna Netrebko, together with Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
“What a success! What a voice! What a show!” mentioned Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on X. “Dear JJ, congratulations on your brilliant first place at the Eurovision Song Contest. All of Austria is delighted!”
This was Austria’s third victory, after Udo Jürgens, winner in 1966 who carried out “Merci, Chérie,” after which Conchita Wurst, in 2014, with “Rise Like a Phoenix.” The latter took JJ beneath her wing. “When JJ sings, it’s like the clocks stop ticking,” she commented to AFP, emphasizing how “impressive” the performer is.
In the meantime, JJ must forgo the week off he had deliberate for himself to get better from this journey, he confided after his victory. On the agenda: weeks of writing and recording his first EP. Plus he is already enthusiastic about internet hosting Eurovision in Austria subsequent 12 months. If attainable in the capital, he asks, as his boyfriend lives there, which might allow him “to have practical accommodation.”
