Oh, Eurovision. The one night where Europe pretends it’s all about the music, but really, we’re just here for the chaos. And let’s not kid ourselves—2025 delivered. There were some jaw-dropping performances, unexpected results, and, of course, a healthy dose of controversy. But in true Eurovision fashion, it was the political drama that really stole the show. Let’s dive in.
The Winner: Austria’s JJ – Because Of Course It Was
First up, Austria’s JJ, who turned in an “operatic pop-ballad hybrid” for the win. “Wasted Love” (it’s almost as if someone predicted the mood of the whole competition) was a mix of classical voice and modern pop beats—basically, Eurovision’s ultimate blend of trying to look cultured while still sounding like a Top 40 hit. And let’s be honest, it worked. JJ’s commanding countertenor voice and the opera-meets-pop performance made him the perfect candidate to take the crown. He’s now the proud owner of Austria’s third Eurovision win, following in the footsteps of Conchita Wurst in 2014.
But was it really the best? Well, maybe.
The Fan-Favorite: Israel – Wait, What?
Now, let’s talk about the second-place finisher, Israel’s Yuval Raphael. His song, “New Day Will Rise,” had all the makings of a typical Eurovision entry—emotional lyrics, a powerful build, and a lighting setup that screamed “We’re serious, but not too serious.” You know, the usual.
But things got… well, interesting. While Raphael’s performance was moving, it was overshadowed by the absolute circus that went down in the crowd. Israel’s participation was met with massive protests due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and as if that wasn’t dramatic enough, some protesters tried to literally shut down the show. Imagine that—Eurovision, the one place where people go to scream about voting rigging, now had actual protesters causing havoc. Can’t make this stuff up.
Raphael’s points were met with mixed reactions, to say the least. Some cheered, others booed. And to keep things nice and neat, organizers apparently spiced things up by adding some fake applause. Yes, folks, Eurovision got a taste of Hollywood-level editing to smooth over the discontent. If that doesn’t scream “We’ve got the drama,” we don’t know what does.
The Controversy: Israel’s Voting – Could It Get Any Weirder?
And here’s where it gets even juicier. Israel’s jury was all over the place. If you thought you understood how Eurovision voting works, think again. In a shocking move, Israel gave their highest points to Bulgaria—yep, Bulgaria. No political affiliations here, just a choice that had everyone scratching their heads. Was this the work of a rogue jury member, or was it just a case of someone pressing the wrong button in a moment of excitement?
And let’s not forget that televote—which somehow didn’t match the jury vote. It’s like someone was playing an entirely different game. Could this be the Eurovision version of “we don’t need logic, we just need drama”? We can’t say for sure, but we’re leaning towards yes.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Eurovision?
So, what have we learned from Eurovision 2025? First, Austria can deliver with dramatic performances. Second, Israel’s participation might have slightly turned into an episode of The Real Housewives of Eurovision. And third, the whole voting system needs a serious review. Honestly, if they started hiring referees from the World Cup to oversee these votes, we’d be totally fine with that.
In the end, Eurovision is, as always, a blend of incredible music, pure spectacle, and just enough drama to keep the world talking until next year’s contest. Who knows what’s in store for 2026? But if it’s anything like this year, we’re here for it. Stay tuned.