Austria’s JJ has won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, with his operatic song “Wasted Love” triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event.
After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph.
After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into Sunday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel — whose participation drew protests — on 357 and Estonia on 356.
As the televotes came in, Israel held the top spot until, right at the very end, the public votes for Austria gave the Alpine nation the right to host Eurovision next year.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025 prompted a series of protests in Basel over its military offensive in Gaza. Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael survived the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, hiding beneath bodies as Hamas gunmen attacked a music festival, killing hundreds.
