Recommendations of the Editorial team
With 436 points and an impressive stage show, Austria got victory for the third time in ESC history-this time by Johannes Pietsch alias JJ. His song “Wasted Love” convinced the jury and audience with an exciting mix of opera, pop and electronic elements. But who is the person behind the moving song and impressive performance?
Johannes Pietsch was born in Vienna on April 29, 2001. His parents, an Austrian IT expert and a Filipino cook, move to Dubai with him shortly after his birth and his musical talent shows up early. “I have a lot of nice memories of my childhood in Dubai,” said Pietsch opposite the side “The National”.
“In Dubai I discovered my love for music, especially for classical music. When I was a child, my parents organized karaoke parties almost every weekend, and my sisters and I like to sang with-especially songs by Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey. My father also played classical music. I think that is also a reason why I sing Popera today. It is a privilege.”
His school friends gave him his nickname and today’s artist name JJ. Because Hansi didn’t sound cool enough. In addition to his mother tongue German, JJ also speaks fluent English, French and Tagalog.
Professional training
In 2016 he returned to Austria to devote himself more intensively to music. He is admitted to the Vienna State Opera Opera School and receives well -founded vocal training there. It quickly becomes clear that his voice is the countertenor.
In 2023, JJ began studying solo singing at the music and art of private university of the city of Vienna (MUK), where he deals intensively with classic vocal art, stage language and musicology.
But the way to the public is not only via the opera stage: in 2020 Pietsch was applied to “The Voice UK” after missing the registration deadline for “The Voice of Germany”. In the British show, he is brought into the team by Will.i.am and makes it into the knockout round. Another TV appearance at “Starmania” follows in 2021, where he even moves into the final shows.
JJ is proud to be queer
JJ deals openly with his queer identity and often speaks about the importance of visibility and representation. In an interview with queer.de He emphasized to the ESC in Basel: “I am a queer myself and I am happy to represent the community and give it a voice. I am now the voice of the queer community from Austria and also for everyone who feels addressed. My personal message would also be just to love each other because love is the most beautiful thing in the world, and hatred of each other. function.”
Another ESC success for Austria
With the song “Wasted Love”, which was released on March 6, 2025, Austria will get the ESC title again after 1966 (Udo Jürgens) and 2014 (Conchita Wurst). The title was created in close cooperation with Teodora Špirić – known as part of the Duos Teya & Salena – and composer Thomas Thurner. The play was produced by Pele Loriano, who was successful with Nemo’s “The Code” in 2024.