Greek Australian singer and producer Vasiliki Karagiorgos, known professionally as Vassy, has withdrawn at the last minute from the Russian-hosted Intervision song contest, where she had been set to represent the United States.
Vassy, who was due to perform fifth in Saturday’s final in Moscow, told the ABC she had left Russia and was “still in shock.”
“While it’s heartbreaking for the fans and the music that I had to withdraw, I want to ensure I’m doing the right thing and following proper guidance,” she said, adding she would not provide further details until she had spoken with the Australian government.
Russian organisers claimed her exit was due to “unprecedented political pressure from the government of Australia.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Australia had “no engagement” with the contest, but declined to comment on Vassy’s case.
Born in Darwin to Greek immigrant parents, Vassy rose to international fame after moving to the US in the 2010s, becoming the first Australian to top Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart with We Are Young.
She returned to Australia in 2022 and in 2023 became the first woman to win an Icon trophy at the Electronic Dance Music Awards in Miami.
The Intervision contest, revived by Russian president Vladimir Putin after Russia’s ban from Eurovision, drew 23 countries this year, including China, India and Brazil. Vietnam’s Duc Phuc was crowned winner, with Kyrgyzstan second and Qatar third.
Source: ABC.
