Highest notes for the Eurovision Song Contest: JJ sings for Austria in Basel
At just 23 years old, Austrian-Filipino countertenor JJ is already making waves in the world of classical music. In May 2025, JJ will sing for Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel! With his rare vocal talent and a performance that combines timeless artistry with contemporary energy, JJ aims to create a big show moment at the Eurovision Song Contest.
JJ: „It is a great honor for me to represent Austria in Basel. My heart beats for the big show, and there is nothing bigger than the Eurovision Song Contest. I am very excited about the trust placed in me. In the coming weeks, we will work hard to deliver an unforgettable performance in May.“
Stefanie Groiss Horowitz, ORF program director: „JJ is an exceptional talent! With him, we are sending a unique artist to Basel who brings his own magic to the Eurovision Song Contest stage with captivating pop and classical singing.“
Press photos:
- Pics of JJ (picdrop.com)
Interview with JJ in the Vienna State Opera:
JJ - Pop meets Classical
What may initially seem like the fusion of two worlds, opera and pop, is a harmonious whole for JJ. JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, was born in Vienna in 2001 and grew up in Dubai before returning to Vienna in 2016.
As a countertenor with a distinctive voice that reaches soprano heights, JJ has already made a name for himself with his exceptional range and heartfelt performances. The audience may also recognize JJ from the ORF event show „Starmania,“ where he showcased his extraordinary voice and made it to the final shows in 2021. Currently, JJ performs at the Vienna State Opera and has participated in numerous productions, including „Die Zauberflöte,“ „Von der Liebe Tod,“ „Tschick,“ and many other classical masterpieces. Offstage, he continues to refine his craft by studying classical music at the renowned Music and Art Private University of Vienna (MUK) under the guidance of Univ.-Prof. Kammersängerin Linda Watson, where he is recognized as an outstanding talent in his field.
In 2025, JJ will represent Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest, combining his classical roots with a modern artistic vision. Audiences can already get a glimpse of JJ's talent on February 7th at 9:20 PM on ORF 2 during the broadcast of the new production of „Die Zauberflöte“ from the Vienna State Opera, where he will be the first boy on stage. His song for the ESC will be presented in early March.
Austria's Act for the Eurovision Song Contest
The search for Austria's act for the Eurovision Song Contest began in the early summer of 2024. ESC-experienced talent scouts once again scoured the domestic scene, and for the first time, a songwriting camp was held with authors, composers, and performers with the goal of writing THE song for ESC 2025.
In the next step, the most promising songs were evaluated by a national and international jury of 30 experts, including music producers, performers, journalists, music professionals, and music editors. Additionally, representatives from nearly 30 OGAEs - the official fan clubs of the Eurovision Song Contest - from five countries, as well as the ORF ESC editorial team, cast their votes. Based on all the evaluations, JJ was selected as Austria's act for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The song with which he will represent our country at ESC will be presented to the public in early March.
For more information, contact:
ORF press office
- Roman Horacek - roman.horacek@orf.at