In a thrilling finish to Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Austria's JJ snared victory with emotional fervor, while the UK's performance fell flat for the third consecutive year.
**Austria Triumphs at Eurovision 2025, While UK Struggles Again**
**Austria Triumphs at Eurovision 2025, While UK Struggles Again**
Austria's JJ snatches the Eurovision Song Contest crown with a dramatic last-minute vote, as the UK faces another dismal result.
Austrian singer JJ captivated audiences at Eurovision 2025 held in Basel, Switzerland, clinching victory with a last-minute surge in votes that pushed him ahead of frontrunner Israel. The 24-year-old counter-tenor from the Vienna State Opera performed his electro-ballad "Wasted Love," which reflects on the pain of unrequited love. As he accepted the iconic glass microphone trophy, JJ expressed his gratitude: "Thank you so much for making my dreams come true. Love is the strongest force in the world; let's spread more love."
JJ tallied 436 points, outperforming Israel's Yuval Raphael, who secured second place with 357 points, and Estonia's Tommy Cash in third with 356 points. In stark contrast, the UK's entry, Remember Monday, finished in a disappointing 19th place with just 88 points, garnering no public votes for the second consecutive year.
Boasting an emotional performance, JJ was surrounded by family, including his 85-year-old grandfather and a four-month-old niece. His victory marks Austria's third win at Eurovision, with previous triumphs in 1966 and 2014. The singer noted being inspired by Conchita Wurst's past success and was among the favorites to win this year.
Protests marred the event as tensions surrounded Israel's participation in light of recent conflicts, leading to a minor security incident when protestors attempted to disrupt the stage during Raphael's performance. In a touching backstory, the Israeli artist, a survivor of the October 2023 Hamas attacks, delivered a poignant ballad titled "New Day Will Rise" that resonated with audiences.
The contest flowed with vibrant visuals, camp performances, and unexpected themes, including economic migration and personal tributes. Finnish singer Erika Vikman took home 11th place with an overtly sexual hymn, and French artist Louane's performance honoring her deceased mother evoked strong emotions, though it landed in seventh place.
Austria's JJ faced strong competition from Sweden's KAJ, who performed a humorous song about sauna culture, ultimately finishing fourth. In stark contrast, the UK girl group Remember Monday's act, laden with energy and intricate harmonies, fell short of public appeal, leading them to share a lighthearted response to their "nul points" outcome with peace signs and laughter on stage.
The voting process proved unpredictable, with many contestants, including Switzerland's Zoë Më, experiencing dramatic shifts in standings as public votes were tallied.
Despite high hopes, fans were left disappointed as Canadian legend Céline Dion, rumored to make a special appearance, did not show up, leaving many wondering what could have been for the 2025 Eurovision experience.
