Måns Zelmerlöw of Sweden won the 60th Eurovision Contest in Vienna last Sunday. He beat out competitors from around Europe, Russia, and Australia with his rendition of the song "Heroes."
Zelmerlöw received 365 points from the judges, besting Russia's Polina Gagarina who got 303 points.
Although the international singing contest is said to be beyond politics, distinct "boos" were heard from the audience, reportedly stemming from Russia's conflict with Ukraine and also the Kremlin's anti-gay policies.
However, the world's longest-running music talent competition on TV went on with each country's representatives hoping to take home the fame and admiration that Eurovision brings.
Last year's winner, the bearded Conchita Wurst from Austria, co-hosted the show this year and said winning Eurovision enabled her to "make all her dreams come true."
This year's candidate from the host country of Austria, however, was not quite as lucky. Although the Makemakes of Austria certainly set out to impress with a blazing piano on stage, they came in at the tail-end of the contest, tied for last place with Germany's Ann Sophie.
A wild card entry for the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest was Australia's first, and very likely last candidate for the show, Guy Sebastian. Australia was granted a wild card entry into the show due to its popularity Down Under. Although Sebastian did well for his country by placing fifth in the top five, it was enough to earn Australia another place in next year's show.
Meanwhile, Zelmerlöw could not contain his excitement during the press conference after his win on the biggest singing contest in Europe.
"It was absolutely amazing. I didn't hear it when they first said it—Christer Björkman told me a few seconds later. I thought Russia or Italy would win it. But then I did it, and I was so happy. My feelings are now all over the place. I am so proud, so excited, so full of joy," he said.
Eurovison first aired in 1956 and over 200 million viewers from 45 different countries were said to have tuned in to the broadcast on May 23. The historic singing competition was even recognized by the Guinness World Records with an award for Longest Running Annual TV Music Competition before the airing this year.
With his win, Zelmerlöw hopes to give recognition to his country's singers and song writers.
"We are proud of our music in Sweden, and we are proud of our singers and songwriters," he said during the post-show press conference.
Perhaps he will join the ranks of other Eurovision contest winners Celine Dion, Johnny Logan, or even the show's most successful winning act—also from Sweden—ABBA.
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