Austrian Singer Johannes Pietsch Wins Eurovision Song Competition
Austrian performer Johannes Pietsch, who professionally goes by the name JJ, won the 69th Eurovision Song Competition on Saturday evening. He defeated Israeli participant Yuval Raphael, who came in second after a tense showdown in the Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland. Pietsch, an Austrian singer of Filipino operas who grew up in Dubai, performed the opera ballad "Wasted Love" and received 436 points.
The Competition
The top 5 in the competition, which was voted on by a combination of juries from the national music industry and the global public, included Estonia with 356 points, Sweden with 321 points, and Italy with 256 points. The grand finale featured Raphael, who performed her power ballad "New Day". During her performance, two demonstrators attempted to rush the stage, but were arrested.
Protests and Controversy
For the second year in a row, the Eurovision competition was overshadowed by protests against the decision to allow a participant from Israel to participate, given the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Raphael, a survivor of the Nova Festival massacre on October 7, 2023, made a solo performance around a huge chandelier-like staircase during the Grand Finale.
The Performances
The competition featured 26 competitors who performed original songs, ranging from tortured ballads to electro-pop bonkers. The favorites of the bookmakers included Swedish, the Finnish-Indian music comedy trio Kaj, and the French singer Louane. The competition also included Lithuania’s Tavo Akys, who performed a unique song.
Controversy Surrounding Performances
This year’s competition was not without controversy, with Estonia’s Tommy Cash facing criticism for his performance, which some Italians felt mocked their culture with stereotypes. The performance featured bendy leg dancing and a caffeine pop song called "Espresso Macchiato".
The Grand Final
The Grand Final of the annual singing competition was opened with a video featuring the hosts, Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer, and Michelle Hunziker, waiting nervously for the extreme sports athletes to deliver the Eurovision Trophy to the arena. Last year’s winner, Switzerland’s Nemo, performed her song "The Code" against a lively laser light show, followed by a flag parade of the 26 country finalists.
Reaction to the Win
JJ’s record label, Warner Music, released a statement after his victory. "JJ’s unbelievable talent, combined with his innovative sound, really captured the audience across Europe and beyond, and attracted new fans with every performance," said Doreen Schimk and Fabian Drebes, co-presidents of Warner Music in Central Europe. "Eurovision is the most-watched music television program in the world, and we are thrilled to shine on such a global stage. We are proud to be part of JJ’s journey."
