Austrian singer Johannes Pich, who performs under the stage name JJ and represents Austria at Eurovision 2025, has found himself at the center of controversy due to his admiration for Russian opera star Anna Netrebko, reports the Baltimore Chronicle with reference to Unian.ua.
In a recent interview, Pich revealed that Netrebko’s artistry inspired his Eurovision entry, “Wasted Love.”
Social media users on platform X discovered that since 2021, Pich had been actively liking Netrebko’s posts on Instagram, including those containing pro-Russian messages. After the situation attracted media attention, the singer unfollowed Netrebko, a move widely seen as an attempt to avoid public backlash.
Anna Netrebko is notorious for her support of the Kremlin. In 2014, she financially supported pro-Russian militants from the self-proclaimed “DPR” and performed in occupied Donbas. Her political stance has led to numerous concert cancellations across Europe.
Johannes Pich was born in Vienna but raised in Dubai. He returned to Austria as a teenager and began pursuing a music career. He has competed in talent shows such as “The Voice UK” and “Starmania,” currently studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, and performs at the Vienna State Opera.
Earlier we wrote that Austria wins Eurovision 2025 with JJ’s “Wasted love”.