Charli xcx denies knowing afterparty organiser’s Russian ties following Berlin event controversy

Charli XCX is responding to criticism over her involvement with an afterparty for her film The Moment at the Berlin International Film Festival, denying that she knew about alleged ties between the event’s organiser and the Russian government.

The criticism centers on the party’s host, model and DJ Anastasia Shevtsova, also known as Petit, who was reported by some outlets to be the daughter of Zhanna Shevtsova, head of the Traditsiya Foundation, an organisation that has reportedly received support from Russia’s Kremlin‑linked Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives and operated in Russian‑occupied parts of Ukraine.

In a statement shared on her Instagram Story Thursday, Charli XCX made clear that neither she nor her team knew about those alleged affiliations before the event: “For clarity, neither me nor my team were aware of any of the alleged affiliations around the party in Berlin.” She added that she stands “against the atrocities committed by the Russian government in Ukraine” and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

The controversy gained traction on social media and among some Ukrainian cultural figures, who objected to the perceived association between the Berlin Bash and individuals connected to the Russian state amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Shevtsova also weighed in, denying any political involvement and saying her family lives in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, and that the war affects her personally and deeply.

The Moment, a mockumentary directed by Aidan Zamiri in which Charli XCX plays a fictionalised version of herself, premiered earlier this month as part of the Berlinale film lineup and has been rolling out in international markets. The film satirises celebrity and pop culture while marking a transitional moment in Charli’s artistic era.

Charli’s clarification comes amid broader discussions about artists’ responsibilities when it comes to who they associate with publicly, especially against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and global conflicts.