Eurovision 2025 winner unveiled as Austria beat controversial Israel in final
The evening was filled with anticipation as Israel and Austria neck-and-neck for the crown. With a standout performance of "Wasted Love," Austria's JJ emerged victorious while the contentious Israeli contestant took second place.
Under the stagename Johannes Pietsch, JJ opted for a monochromatic set in Basel that evoked the feeling of a nautical voyage as he crooned about someone precious being inundated.
"I want to thank my entire family, my entire team, thank you so much for making my dreams come true. And especially to you Europe, thank you for making my dreams come true," an elated JJ expressed.
Fans didn't hold back on social media, with one comment reading: "Thank f**k for that ! ! Well done Austria."
Yet another relieved comment read: "Phew, well done Austria."
The competition saw two standout acts perform consecutively; 21 year old Claude Kiambe from the Netherlands wowed the audience with his emotional piece C'est La Vie, drawing on his mother's sagacity, with his rendition stirring him to tears.
In a departure from the poignant, Erika Vikman of Finland took the risqué route clad in black leather, as she electrified the crowd with Ich Komme, a German-Finnish mashup that culminated in her dramatic exit atop a colossal microphone amidst a dazzling display of sparks, reports the Mirror.
Among several unforgettable performances, Maltese songstress Miriana Conte debuted Serving, aptly renamed from Kant for its unfortunate phonetic link to profanity, while Switzerland's Zoe Me delivered an emotive journey with her number Voyage.
Earlier, Nemo, the 2024 Swiss winner, made a return to the Eurovision stage to perform The Code, donned in a full-length white dress. This followed an opening sketch that depicted a Mission Impossible-style quest to locate the trophy, before it was presented to the hosts.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
21 hours ago
- The Journal
Scuffle on stage at London opera as performer unfurls Palestinian flag
LONDON'S ROYAL OPERA House has condemned as 'wholly inappropriate' the actions of a performer who held up a Palestinian flag onstage at the end of a performance. Video footage posted online shows a brief scuffle at the edge of the stage as a figure dressed in a shirt and tie unsuccessfully attempts to stop the performer. 🎥 Performer unfurls Palestinian flag in Royal Opera House protest (Credit: sydcas/X) — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) July 20, 2025 The incident in London yesterday during the curtain call came on the closing night of an 11-night run of Il Trovatore, a four-act opera by Giuseppe Verdi. Advertisement 'Extraordinary scenes at the Royal Opera House tonight,' a person who claimed to have been in the audience posted on X. 'During the curtain call for Il Trovatore one of the background artists came on stage waving a Palestine flag. Just stood there, no bowing or shouting. Someone off stage kept trying to take it off him. Incredible.' A spokesperson for the Royal Ballet and Opera in London's Covent Garden said the 'display of the flag was an unauthorised action by the artist'. The incident comes after numerous artists including Kneecap, Bob Vylan, Wolf Alice, and Amyl and The Sniffers offered messages of support for people in Gaza at this year's Glastonbury festival. Police are still investigating duo Bob Vylan, whose frontman led a chant against the Israeli army at the festival. Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has also been charged with a 'terror' offence over alleged support for banned organisations Hamas and Hezbollah in connection with an earlier performance.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Presidency bid, new Eurovision plans with twist and why I won't leave RTE… Dustin the Turkey spills all
FROM becoming Ireland's next President to taking over Joe Duffy's Liveline job, Dustin the Turkey is no chicken as he has revealed his ambitious plans for total domination. The beloved Irish puppet has been a TV legend for over three decades - and believes he deserves the top jobs "after all I've given Ireland". 5 Dustin the Turkey has revealed his plans to become President of Ireland Credit: Free for editorial use 5 The TV legend recently joined Chadwicks celebrations with Irish boxer Jack Marley Credit: PR handout 5 And he shared that he could take over Liveline and join Eurovision again while in Áras an Uachtaráin Despite being a puppet, Dustin has achieved a status only few in Irish entertainment can claim - becoming an iconic media personality known by generations. His career began in 1989 on the popular show The Den, and he went on to become, in his own words, the longest-serving turkey on RTE. The plucky personality told the Irish Sun: 'It's one of them where it's a pleasure to have entertained two generations, three generations growing up in Ireland - teaching them all of the building tricks that I have. 'It's all about giving a bit of humour and a bit of confidence, along with those two British lads who sold us out in Ireland - Zig and Zag but we won't mention them. 'They went off to Channel 4 and took the queen's shilling, leaving me on my own. 'But I stick to the people, I have more Wolfe Tone CDs than the Wolfe Tones - when they mention people like James Connolly and Padraig Pierce they'll mention Dustin Gertrude Hoffman Beethoven the third.' Being one of Ireland's most controversial satirical voices, Dustin has never been shy about taking the mick out of public figures like Bertie Ahern, And he said he makes sure to treat everyone fair in his remarks, as someone has to do it. Dustin, who is voiced by John Morrison, quipped: 'Now I won't mention Cat Deeley and I won't mention Patrick Kielty - but you have to be fair, I love all people. 'When you come on to The Den or if you come on to the radio with Dustin it's all just friendly fun. 'There's a couple of things we say like Ryan Tubridy who we call Mr Bean, or Alan Partridge or Pat Kenny who is like a plank of wood - but they're all true things.' 'POULTRY PARTY' And Dustin revealed there is still life in the old bird yet. The TV legend admitted that he might throw his wing into the ring again for the Irish During the 2010 Irish general election, he famously campaigned under the banner of the Poultry Party, advocating for policies like Bringing the Olympics to Termonfeckin. But this time, he said his presidential campaign promises would include learning the Irish language, bringing comedy to Áras an Uachtaráin and representing not just Ireland but also turkeys on a national level. Dustin said: 'I think it's a given; I know 'He does his Irish poems and I'm going to learn Irish for when I'm in Áras an Uachtaráin. "So when people come over from Azerbaijan and Columbia I'll be able to greet them as Gaelige. 'Áras an Uachtaráin is something I would certainly have my eyes on; I think I deserve it at this stage, after all I've given Ireland.' He also revealed ambitions to return to Eurovision, confident that he still has what it takes to entertain 'BEAUTIFUL VOICE' Dustin famously represented Ireland in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Irelande Douze Pointe, an entry that remains both memorable and controversial. And he said it's only a matter of time before RTE ask him to compete for Ireland again. The top turkey said: 'Now Dana went for president and she did the Eurovision, but the difference is she can't sing and she's not the president. 'Now I've got a beautiful voice, I think I could be the president and a Eurovision star at the same time. 'But I wouldn't represent Ireland next time; I would represent Turkey. 'You don't have to win it, I don't think anyone in Ireland will be winning in for a long long time - unless we can dig up Johnny Logan and let him go again, I don't think we have a good chance at winning it.' 'VERY SIMPLE JOB' What's more, Dustin said he may even take over And although he said Joe did it well, Dustin thinks he could do it even better. He added: 'It would just be brilliant, it's only a matter of time again. It's a very simple job; I'd love it, 'Go ahead caller, go ahead caller'. 'I'd be president, represent Eurovision and Liveline - considering Joe ruled himself out for presidency it has left the door open for me. 'I've survived a lot of Christmases at this stage, there's a lot of turkeys at RTE that have survived them too - so I'll be sticking around and won't be going anywhere.' Dustin spoke his mind as he joined celebrations at the newly refurbished Chadwicks store in Sallynoggin, And he said with his past as a builder on RTE's The Den, there was no better man for this role too. Speaking to the Irish Sun, Dustin said: 'I'm a builder, I just want to get in and get out - but I'm telling you it's the dog's b***ocks. 'It's just absolutely amazing, I've had three cups of coffee so I'm buzzing - and for a turkey let me tell you that is very dangerous. 'I've also had two pasties that were absolutely delicious - I went in and bought a hammer, a saw and a gazebo and I don't even need to use any of them. 'Sallynoggin is a place that's in my heart; I love it more than even the Long Mile Road.' First opened in 1974, the Chadwick's branch now features a sleek doors & floors showroom, a revamped bathroom showroom, and a Paint Centre, along with a new smart home centre packed with the latest automation and security tech. Other new features include VELUX and Keylite rooflight displays, a full Brick and External Wall Insulation showcase and a Brick & Brew Co. coffee outlet. 5 Dustin revealed that he has his eyes on Áras an Uachtaráin next Credit: Alamy 5 And he wants Joe Duffy's job - there's no turkey bones about it Credit: Andres Poveda LTD
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
David Beckham says 'it looks terrible' as Victoria shares hair horror
David Beckham's hairstyles have set the trend for most men over the years. But judging by Victoria Beckham's recent Instagram post showing off his latest look, it doesn't seem as though many will be following in his footsteps this time round. The former pop star turned renowned fashion designer, 50, asks David while holding the camera to his face: "What have you done?" When he refuses to respond, she asks him the same question again. Sheepishly, the former England football player looks away from the camera while strategically placing his hand on his head. He then admits: "The thing of the clippers fell off my head." Revealing the accident, he bends his head towards Victoria who zooms in on his shaving disaster as she struggles to contain her laughter. Looking up at her, David says with a serious look on his face that it was "not funny." And in response, the mum of four says: "Do you know the hours of content that the kids have got from this. It does not looks good. I'm going to always be honest with you. It looks terrible." And it seems her followers shared the same sentiment. One person wrote: "I like the victory laugh." Another penned: "Look at the good side it's summer and you can allow your head to catch sun rays. Victoria is very supportive and sincere." But not everyone seemed to agree as one person said: "I always find vb a bit condescending to David." David Beckham has had a hair disaster (Image: Instagram/victoriabeckham) This comes after pictures emerged of their eldest son Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham taking time out to enjoy a holiday in St Tropez. And while there were pictures of the couple, who have only been married for three years, putting on a united front while hugging and kissing on her father's yacht, body language expert Judi James spotted something completely different. Nicola is seen clutching Brooklyn's hand as they made their way off the yacht and she looked strained. And this prompted Judi to recognise that Brooklyn's natural protective nature has kicked in amid the feud with his family. In an exclusive chat with the Mirror, Judi explains: "With her distant, expressionless eye gaze and her hand either clutching Brooklyn's arm or encased in his hand, Nicola is looking like the tragic heroine here, perhaps wanting to suggest some vulnerability and strain behind her normally cool and confident exterior." She added: "This is a look that might make most caring husbands wary and trigger their protective side, which is what appears to have happened with Brooklyn here. While his wife walks along in her dramatic black fur tippet and with her hand placed on her bag to provide an emphatic and perhaps symbolic display of her wedding rings, Brooklyn looks more relaxed and dominant." Judi continued: "Clutching her hand in his with his, with the back of his hand showing fully and the wrist bent in a protective clasp. His mood looks confident and even rather upbeat here as though he enjoys being the strong guy in the relationship. His chest is splayed, his arms are held out and there's a smile brewing on his face." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
