As in previous years, the Austrian broadcaster ORF opted for an internal selection to choose its Eurovision representative. This time, they sought an artist with a unique style and found the young countertenor JJ, whose full name is Johannes Pietsch. Born in Vienna in 2001, JJ comes from Austrian and Philippine heritage and is fluent in German, English, French, and Tagalog.

JJ spent his early years in Dubai before his family moved back to Vienna in 2016. There, he pursued his passion for music, studying solo singing at the Vienna Opera School. Inspired by his father’s love for Mozart, JJ developed a deep appreciation for classical music. He was captivated by YouTube performances of legendary sopranos Maria Callas and Montserrat Caballé, often imitating their vocal techniques.

His talent gained widespread recognition when he competed in “The Voice UK” in 2020 and reached the final round of “Starmania” in 2021, where he showcased his extraordinary vocal range. As a countertenor with a voice that soars into high soprano territory, JJ blends opera and pop, delivering intense and expressive interpretations.

He has performed at the Vienna State Opera and participated in several productions, including “Die Zauberflöte”. ORF’s announcement that JJ will represent Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest has generated significant buzz, highlighting his ability to merge classical and contemporary music in a fresh and compelling way.

The song “Wasted Love” is a fascinating fusion of classical countertenor vocals and modern pop music. JJ’s soaring high notes are seamlessly woven into the composition, creating a unique and captivating sound. The song’s structure stands out as unconventional, adding to its distinctive charm.

One of the composers, Teodora Špirić (Teya), previously represented Austria at Eurovision in 2023 with “Who The Hell Is Edgar?”, securing 15th place. “Wasted Love” explores the theme of love and the realization that, sometimes, opposites don’t attract. While it may draw some comparisons to Nemo’s “The Code”, it delivers an entirely different emotional and musical impact.

With Eurovision approaching, JJ is already emerging as one of the top contenders, with bookmakers ranking him among the favourites to win this year’s competition.