Charli XCX’s Apology for Russia-Backed Party Sparks Further Outrage
After Charli xcx’s film The Moment premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, the singer attended a party organized by Russian model and DJ Anastasia Shevtsova. Shevtsova’s family ties have sparked some controversy amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine. Charli posted a statement claiming she was unaware of the controversy, which further incensed some people.
Charli xcx hosted a party with ties to Russia
Charli’s Berlin International Film Festival afterparty received backlash after United24 Media, a site run by the Ukrainian government, reported that Shevtsova hosted it. Shevtsova is the daughter of Zhanna Shevtsova, founder of the “Traditsiya” foundation, which promotes Russian culture. The site also reports that the organization operates out of occupied Ukrainian territory.
A number of Ukrainian activists protested the party. United24 Media reported that Charli and her team were “made aware” of Shevtsova’s familial connections to Russian-occupied territory.
In an Instagram statement, Shevtsova denied any connection to the war in Ukraine.
“My family members live in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine,” Shevtsova wrote (per Billboard). “The current tragedy affects me personally and deeply. I would never wish harm, violence, or suffering upon anyone. What is happening is heartbreaking for millions of families, including mine.”
Charli xcx’s apology for the party did not go over well with many people
On Feb. 19, Charli addressed the continued backlash to her party.
“Hi everyone < 3. For clarity, neither me nor my team were aware of any of the alleged affiliations around the party in Berlin,” she wrote in a statement. “I would like to take this opportunity to say I stand against the atrocities committed by the Russian government in Ukraine and I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
This ultimately did little to quell the reaction to the event. Many people pointed to the fact that Ukrainian activists warned Charli before the event.
“She was made aware, she’s just trying to save face,” one Reddit user wrote.
“I am also in PR and do not understand anyone who gives the ‘I didn’t know’ response as a rationale when they were definitely alerted in advance,” added another person. “I don’t believe in being dishonest to begin with, but, regardless of that, you always, always, ALWAYS need to assume that the truth is going to come to light. Molehills become mountains when you lie about it. I find the people who take this approach are usually the repeat offenders who are likely to do it again.”
Others noted their continued disappointment in celebrities like Charli.
“We gotta wake up and realize that most of these celebs are living in a separate world and just giving us the required lip service to continue living in that world,” one person wrote. “They are not our friends, guides or anything at all. I’d like us all to go back to treating them as entertainment and nothing else.”
She said ‘The Moment’ is the last installment in her ‘Brat’ era
The Moment is the final chapter in Charli’s Brat era. She released the album in 2024 and is hoping to move on to a new era now that the film is out.
“It feels like a sort of long overdue full stop in the world of ‘Brat,’ and I think we knew that going into it and that was part of the interest in making it,” she told Variety. “So for me, yes, I do feel ready to embark on a new journey. But I don’t know what that is, so yeah. I’m kind of open to ideas.”
The Moment is currently in theaters.
