Eurovision hopeful JJ, who is representing Austria in the contest with his song Wasted Love, has opened up about his TV debut on The Voice UK back in 2020. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk in advance of performing at the London Eurovision Party the 23-year-old said: “It was such a fun experience. That was my first TV experience actually and being in a competition so that was fun and I’d always wanted to be in the UK see London and Manchester and it was it was something that I’ve always wanted to do. Being on The Voice made my dream come true of coming to the UK.”
JJ appeared on the show under his real name Johannes Pietsch in season 9 which aired in 2020. Aged just 18 at the time, he made it through the blind auditions giving his take on the Julie Andrews classic The Sound Of Music and progressed through the battles and knockouts before being eliminated. He was coached by will.i.am, who was the only judge who turned for him in the blind auditions with the others, Tom Jones, Meghan Trainor and Olly Murs all expressing regret at missing out on the opportunity to coach him.
“Amazing,” Will applauded after he sang at the blind auditions. “The control in your voice is like, spectacular. I’ve turned around for classical and opera before Every single genre belongs on this show,” he said.
Meghan Trainor lamented: “I’m sorry I didn’t turn around. I thought you were like way older. You sound so good.”
Sir Tom Jones told the hopeful: “I didn’t turn because I don’t know what I could have done for you, but you have Will anyway. So congratulations.”
Meanwhile Olly Murs said: “In my head, I thought you were in youryour 40s or 50s, and you were singing for a long time…now I’m really confused… because you’re only 18…It’s crazy to think how good you’re gonna get. So Will’s gonna coach you and you’re gonna be amazing. I can’t wait.”
JJ is hoping to be the first Austrian winner of the song contest since Conchita Wurst lifted the trophy in 2014 with Rise Like a Phoenix.
That was only the second time the country had won and their track record isn’t the most enviable having finished last in the contest seven times in 1957, 1961, 1962, 1979, 1984, 1988, and 1991.
However JJ is confident his song won’t fall foul of the statistics when he takes to the stage in Basel next month. “It’s a different musical genre that’s being incorporated, and so I think that’s what makes my song different from the others,” he said.
Acknowledging that Eurovision has it’s detractors he encouraged people to keep an open mind. “It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, so I respect everyone’s opinion. But Eurovision is just a fun show. It’s just fun to watch. So I would encourage people to keep an open mind and just see and watch the show.