Charli XCX Faces Criticism Over Afterparty with Alleged Russian Ties in Berlin
Charli XCX has faced public criticism following her attendance at an afterparty in Berlin, which was reportedly organized by an individual with alleged ties to the Russian government and its activities in Ukraine. The event occurred during the European rollout of her mockumentary, The Moment, and coincided with the release of her album Wuthering Heights.
The Event and Organizer's Alleged Affiliations
The afterparty for The Moment's Berlin premiere was organized by Anastasia Shevtsova, also known as Petit, a Russian model and DJ.
According to the Ukrainian news platform United24, Petit is the daughter of Zhanna Shevtsova, founder of the Traditsiya foundation, a Russian NGO reportedly operating in occupied Ukraine and aligned with the Russian government.
United24 further reported that Petit traveled to Luhansk and Mariupol in 2024 to organize screenings of the propaganda film Road To A Dream for Ukrainian children. Additionally, the company Russian Report has reportedly acquired distribution rights for The Moment in Russia, with a planned April release.
Public Reaction and Charli XCX's Response
Following reports of her attendance at Petit's party, Charli XCX received criticism from some fans and activists on social media platforms, citing the alleged Russian connections and potential funding implications related to the conflict in Ukraine.
Charli XCX addressed the situation via her Instagram story, providing a direct statement:
"For clarity, neither me nor my team were aware of any of the alleged affiliations around the party in Berlin. 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."
During the Berlin International Film Festival, where The Moment was screened, Charli XCX also commented on the festival's readiness to feature political films, expressing appreciation for its role.