Australian-born singer Vassy, real name Vasiliki Karagiorgos, will represent the United States at Russia’s Intervision music competition after R&B artist B. Howard withdrew days before the event, organisers announced on Wednesday, September 17.
Intervision, a revival of a Soviet-era Eurovision alternative from the 1960s and 1970s, is scheduled to begin on September 20. Russia was banned from Eurovision in February 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Born in Australia to Greek immigrants, Vassy gained US citizenship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her website describes her as “one of the most recognisable figures” in electronic dance music, noting collaborations with David Guetta and Tiësto. In 2023, she became the first woman to win the ICON award at the Electronic Dance Music Awards.
While Intervision promotes itself as a “depoliticised” music festival, President Vladimir Putin appointed senior Kremlin officials to its organising committee.
Vassy’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights was reportedly removed from her Wikipedia page ahead of the competition, according to Novaya Gazeta Europe.
Organisers said Howard, originally slated to perform for the US, withdrew for “family reasons,” with dozens of other countries expected to participate.
