Charli XCX Responds To Backlash Over Russia-Linked The Moment Party

Right now, two different Charli XCX-related movies are playing in multiplexes. Last week, she released her album Wuthering Heights, the soundtrack for the film of the same title. She's also got her Brat mockumentary The Moment, which is in the midst of a big European rollout. While promoting The Moment in Berlin, Charli pissed off some fans by attending an afterparty that was apparently organized by a Russian woman with ties to the Putin regime and the invasion of Ukraine.

The government-run Ukrainian news platform United24 has all the details of this weird little story. Earlier this week, Charli XCX attended the Berlin premiere of The Moment, as well as an afterparty organized by Anastasia Shevtsova, the Russian model and DJ who goes by the name Petit. The party included a bunch of big-name DJs, including Charli's husband, the 1975 drummer George Daniel.

According to United24, Petit is the daughter of Zhanna Shevtsova, the founder of the Traditsiya foundation, a Putin-aligned Russian NGO that operates in occupied Ukraine. In 2024, Petit reportedly traveled to the occupied Ukrainian cities Luhansk and Mariupol, organizing screenings of the propaganda film Road To A Dream for Ukrainian kids. United24 also reports that the company Russian Report has acquired the rights to distribute The Moment in Russia and that the film will open in Russian theaters in April. You can see the full United24 report here.

The news of Charli XCX going to Petit's party has caused some fans and activist types to decry her on social media.

Charli addressed the situation today on her Instagram story. Here's what she wrote:

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.

Incidentally, the Berlin screening of The Moment was during the Berlin International Film Festival. The festival itself was overshadowed by discussion of global conflicts amidst the fest's silence on Gaza. During press conferences, many actors were asked about their politics. Rupert Grint, the former Ron Weasley, went viral with one of his non-responses. When asked about the rise of fascism in the UK, Grint hemmed and hawed before saying, "You'll hear something" — the Jelly Roll approach.

In a different press conference, Charli XCX talked about how the festival "doesn't shy away from political films," and she said, "I'm very thankful for this festival because I think it's very, very important that it exists." (The question she was answering was about The Moment screening at different film festivals, not about Ukraine or Palestine or anything.)