On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Austria celebrated its third victory at the Eurovision Song Contest. The winner was 24-year-old countertenor Johannes Pich, known by his stage name JJ, with the song “Wasted Love.” But his triumph was more than just a musical success — it was a landmark moment for queer visibility and a redefinition of gender norms on the European stage.
Voice Without Limits
JJ was born in Vienna to an Austrian father and a Filipina mother, and spent much of his childhood in Dubai. From an early age, he embraced both opera and pop, which shaped his distinctive style — blending classical arias with techno-infused ballads. His rare countertenor voice, reaching soprano heights, has become a symbol of breaking the mold of what a "male" or "female" voice is expected to sound like.
JJ openly identifies as queer and, after his win at Eurovision, shared that he has a boyfriend who lives in Vienna. His openness about his identity makes him one of the few mainstream artists to embrace queerness unapologetically on such a global stage.
“Wasted Love” — A Personal Story and a Manifesto
Wasted Love, co-written by JJ alongside Teya (Austria's 2023 Eurovision entrant) and Thomas Tørner, is an intimate story of unrequited love. JJ describes it as “sailing on a paper boat through an ocean of emotions,” where love goes unanswered but the ability to love remains beautiful and powerful.
Visually, the performance was rich with water and rain symbolism, highlighting the song’s emotional depth. JJ’s stage look — blending operatic aesthetics with avant-garde fashion — was a powerful expression of gender fluidity and individuality.
Queer Icon on the World Stage
JJ is the first Eurovision winner of Filipino descent and one of the first openly queer winners in recent memory. His victory carries deep significance for the LGBTQ+ community. JJ has described his performance as "a window into his soul" and expressed pride in being able to represent the queer community at such a high level.
He also named Conchita Wurst, Austria's 2014 Eurovision winner, as one of his biggest inspirations. Earlier this year, the two collaborated on a duet, symbolizing both continuity and solidarity within the queer artistic community.
JJ’s Eurovision 2025 win is not only a musical milestone, but also a cultural one. It raises important conversations about gender identity, self-expression, and inclusion. His story inspires and opens new doors for artists who want to be true to themselves on the global stage.
JJ has shown that authenticity, talent, and the courage to be oneself can win not only millions of hearts, but also change perceptions of gender and identity across borders.