JJ wins Eurovision 2025 – and doesn’t hold back: “Some countries are excluded, while others at war are allowed in. That needs to change.”

At just 24, Johannes Pietsch — better known to Eurovision fans as JJ — brought Austria back to the top of the leaderboard with Wasted Love, a heartbreak ballad that struck a deep chord with both juries and viewers. But his win in Basel wasn’t just musical. In the days following his victory, JJ has become something of a reluctant spokesperson for those who believe that Eurovision’s “non-political” slogan rings increasingly hollow.

“I’m disappointed that some countries are excluded and others at war are allowed to participate. That’s something that needs fixing,” he declared — not on a protest placard, but in a post-win interview. With the calm defiance of someone who knows exactly how these comments will land, JJ managed to do what most Eurovision winners wouldn’t dare: speak plainly about the contest’s elephant in the room.

“It was madness. I still can’t believe it.”

JJ describes the night of the final as pure chaos. “It was a tense moment — split screen, nerves everywhere. But when the whole arena started cheering for Austria, we had this feeling… like maybe this is actually happening.” And then it did. With 178 points from the public, Austria snatched victory, and JJ’s team, in his words, “went completely crazy.”

The song’s journey began in Berlin, with songwriter Thea Devy. “I messaged her saying I wanted to write something about my experience of wasted love. I told her my story, and in ten minutes she had the lyrics. It just… flowed.” That natural chemistry produced a haunting track that stood out in a field often dominated by overproduced bangers and gimmicks.

Conchita called it

Austria’s last Eurovision winner, Conchita Wurst, offered JJ some sage advice before he even set foot in Basel. “She told me, ‘Enjoy the moment. It’ll go by so quickly you’ll forget half of it from the stress.’” After his first rehearsal, Conchita turned prophetic: “You’re going to win, for sure.” JJ, ever modest, told her not to jinx it. But after the final? “She just smiled and said, ‘Told you so.’”

A song contest… still?

When asked whether Eurovision remains a space for musical unity rather than political division, JJ doesn’t mince words. “Politics is always there. You’ve got 37 countries coming together for a show — it’s inevitable. But it’s disappointing when the political side overshadows the art. And it’s even more disappointing when some countries are excluded, and others — even those involved in wars — are let in. That really needs to be addressed.”

It’s a rare level of candour for a newly crowned Eurovision champion, but perhaps that’s what sets JJ apart. His critique wasn’t angry or self-righteous — just calmly disillusioned. And it echoed the sentiment many fans and delegations have quietly shared this year, as a growing number of broadcasters publicly questioned the contest’s internal decisions.

A winner with perspective

Through the whirlwind of rehearsals, press conferences, and glittery late-night afterparties, JJ says he’s learned a lot — about Eurovision, about fame, and about himself. “I learned my limits in terms of stress and workload,” he admits, “but I also realised I thrive on being busy. I like being everywhere. I like working hard. That’s not the problem.” What matters, he says, is having the right people around you to survive the chaos.

And survive he did — with poise, sincerity, and a song that quietly stole the show.

While the EBU may still be figuring out how to navigate its political conundrums, JJ has made his stance clear: speak your truth, sing your heart out — and maybe, just maybe, win a continent in the process.

Source: La razón