Charli XCX under fire as Berlin afterparty controversy linked to Russian operations in occupied Ukraine

Charli XCX faces backlash after attending Berlin event linked to Russian state cultural operations in Ukraine scandal

Charli XCX is encountering fresh controversy following her attendance at an afterparty in Berlin tied to her film premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, despite warnings from Ukrainian journalists and activists about the organisers’ affiliations.

The event, held after the premiere of her mockumentary The Moment, was organised by a Russian promoter, Anastasia Shevtsova (also known as Petit), whose family has documented links to cultural initiatives operating in territories of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation. Shevtsova’s mother, Zhanna Shevtsova, runs an organisation that has worked with Russia’s Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, including projects in cities such as Donetsk, Luhansk and Mariupol. These activities have included cultural programming and “motivational” screenings of films for children in those occupied regions, efforts critics say are part of Russia’s broader soft power strategy.

Ukrainian artists, journalists and cultural figures publicly objected to the afterparty, urging its cancellation once the connections were made known. According to reports, Charli XCX’s management and the party’s venue were made aware of the organiser’s background in advance, but the event still went ahead with the singer attending alongside guests including her husband, musician George Daniel.

Critics argue that attending the event effectively lent legitimacy to networks associated with the Russian state’s cultural outreach in occupied territory. Some online voices have framed the situation as especially troubling given allegations associated with displacement and re-education programmes for Ukrainian children in those areas, practices that, under international conventions, can qualify as grave human rights violations when conducted under coercive conditions.

Reactions from fan communities and broader social media have been sharply divided. Many users characterised Charli XCX’s decision to participate as tone-deaf or irresponsible, especially in light of warnings from Ukrainian observers who hoped for a different outcome. Others have debated whether the backlash is fair given uncertainties about the depth of her knowledge or how the party was organised.

Charli XCX has not yet publicly addressed the criticism specifically tied to the afterparty controversy, focusing in interviews on her artistic projects and the Berlin Film Festival premiere itself. Her film The Moment, a self-aware mockumentary exploring culture and fame, continues to be screened and is expected to expand into wider distribution, including a Russian theatrical release.