Charli xcx Responds to Backlash Over Afterparty Organizer’s Alleged Russian Links

Charli xcx has broken her silence regarding the wave of criticism she faced after attending a Berlin afterparty with reported ties to the Russian government. The event followed the international premiere of her mockumentary, The Moment, at the Berlinale Film Festival.

In a statement shared via her Instagram Story on Thursday, February 19, the pop visionary addressed the controversy head-on. “To be clear, neither I nor my team had any knowledge of the alleged affiliations surrounding the gathering in Berlin,” she explained to her followers.

The “Brat” architect went on to clarify her geopolitical stance, stating, “I want to take this opportunity to affirm that I stand firmly against the atrocities committed by the Russian government in Ukraine. My heart and solidarity are with the people of Ukraine.”

The backlash was ignited by a report from United24 Media, which identified the party’s host as Russian model and DJ Anastasia Shevtsova. According to the publication, Anastasia is the daughter of Zhanna Shevtsova, the president of the Traditsiya Foundation—an organization funded by the Russian state to promote national culture.

This alleged connection sparked outrage given the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. However, Anastasia Shevtsova defended herself in a separate Instagram post, distancing herself from political narratives. Having lived and worked in Europe for the last four years, she noted that her own family is spread across Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, describing the conflict as a personal heartbreak.

The Moment, directed by Aidan Zamiri, provides a surreal, exaggerated glimpse into Charli’s life as she navigated the meteoric success of her Brat era. The film’s release coincides with another major project for the artist: providing the companion score for Emerald Fennell’s upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

Speaking at the Berlinale, Charli confirmed that this film serves as the final chapter for her current persona. “It feels like a necessary and long-overdue conclusion to the world of Brat,” she told Variety. “I am ready to move toward something new, though I haven’t quite decided what that journey looks like yet. I’m staying open to the possibilities.”

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