Austrians celebrate JJ bringing home first Eurovision win in 11 years

Austrian-Filipino countertenor praised for melding techno with country’s rich operatic tradition in song Wasted Love

Austrians were on Sunday celebrating JJ, an Austrian-Filipino countertenor lauded for “singing Austria into the spotlight” after bringing home the country’s first Eurovision song contest victory in 11 years with a song that gives a nod to both the country’s rich operatic heritage and modern music.

JJ, 24, hit all the right notes with Wasted Love, an operatic ballad about unrequited love that mutates into a techno club anthem. The 69th edition of the contest was hosted in Basel, Switzerland.