Austrian singer JJ has won the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, with his song "Wasted Love," an electro-ballad about unrequited love.
Victory Highlights
- Final Score: JJ scored 436 points, narrowly defeating Israel in a nail-biting finish.
- Acceptance Speech: He thanked viewers for "making my dreams come true" while accepting his glass microphone trophy.
- Family Support: JJ’s family was present, including his 85-year-old grandfather and four-month-old niece. His younger sister broke through security to hug him, expressing her happiness.
Austria’s Eurovision History
This victory marks Austria’s third win in Eurovision history, following:
- Udo Jurgens’ "Merci Cherie" in 1966
- Conchita Wurst’s "Rise Like A Phoenix" in 2014
JJ credited Conchita Wurst as an inspiration for entering this year’s contest.
Themes of "Wasted Love"
"Wasted Love" explores themes of heartbreak while conveying a message that there is no such thing as wasted love—just love waiting to be found. JJ emphasized that:
- Love is Abundant: "There’s so much love that we can spread around. It’s strong enough on Earth."
- Personal Connection: He shared that the song was inspired by a friend’s recent breakup, highlighting the pain of unreciprocated feelings: "We all know how hard it can get when they don’t feel us back."
JJ believes that while the song may sound negative, it carries a positive message: "If one person doesn’t see us, then maybe another one will."
Performance Details
- Showcase: JJ performed second out of 26 acts at the Messe Basel exhibition center, with over 10,000 fans in attendance and millions watching worldwide.
- Stage Presence: He initially sang behind a screen, later revealing himself without sunglasses during the live performance, engaging the audience who sang along to "Wasted Love."
Host’s Remarks
Eurovision host Graham Norton praised the competition, stating, "It’s been an incredible competition tonight," and congratulated Austria on their win.
JJ’s Artistic Vision
When asked why he chose "Wasted Love" for Eurovision, JJ explained:
- Desire for Uniqueness: "I wanted something different; it’s not like any other pop songs out there."
- Depth of Lyrics: He described the lyrics as "really deep," focusing on themes of solitude and self-belief.
Future Aspirations
When questioned if winning would change anything for him next year, JJ simply replied, "No!"
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