Željko Joksimović Weighs In on Serbia’s Eurovision 2025 Exit: “Where Was the Jury When We Needed Them?”

It’s not a proper Eurovision season without at least one Balkan icon throwing a well-measured, velvet-gloved jab at the system. Enter Željko Joksimović — Balkan superstar, Eurovision royalty, and unofficial high priest of Balkan ballads — who has finally broken his silence on why Serbia didn’t make it to the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final.

This year, Joksimović played a key role in producing “Mila”, the haunting entry performed by Stefan Zdravković (a.k.a. Princ), which, to the dismay of many, failed to reach the final. And no, it wasn’t because the song lacked a key change or wind machine.

“If the Jury Had Been There, Serbia Would Be in the Final. Full Stop.”

In an interview with Prvi Red, Joksimović didn’t mince words. “They scrapped the juries from the semi-finals this year, and that decision cost us dearly,” he lamented. “Had there been a jury, Princ would’ve been in the final — I’d sign that statement any day.”

According to Joksimović, the voting format continues to be Eurovision’s most unpredictable element. “Public votes are plentiful in some places, scarce in others. It’s inconsistent, and that makes a huge difference,” he added.

Eurovision 2025: Aria, Contratenor… Confusion?

The veteran composer also commented on Austria’s surprise win, praising JJ’s operatic electro-ballad Wasted Love, which took the contest by storm. “I didn’t understand a word of it,” he admitted with a smirk, “but he was different. And that’s what mattered. I tip my hat to him.”

What About Slovenia, Montenegro… and the Others?

Joksimović didn’t stop with Serbia. He expressed disappointment that neighbouring countries like Montenegro and Slovenia also failed to qualify. “Slovenia had a beautiful song. I truly expected them in the final,” he noted, implying that the absence of diaspora votes — and the lack of jury support — may have played a key role.

He closed by offering heartfelt praise to Princ and his stage team: “Their performance was worthy of the final. It’s a shame Europe didn’t see it in full.”

While Serbia may have missed out this year, if Željko’s words are anything to go by, the fire still burns — and the Balkans will be back.

Source: K1