Charli XCX clarifies her attendance at a controversial Berlin afterparty, stating she was unaware of alleged Russian ties and reaffirms her solidarity with U...
- February 26, 2026
AceShowbiz - Charli xcx has addressed the controversy surrounding her attendance at an afterparty following the Berlin premiere of The Moment, which was organized by an individual allegedly connected to the Russian government.
On Thursday, February 19, the singer took to her Instagram Story to clarify her position. Opening with a simple greeting, “Hi everyone,” she stated, “For clarity, neither me nor my team were aware of any of the alleged affiliations around the party in Berlin.” She went on to express her solidarity with Ukraine, saying, “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.”
This response follows reports from United24 Media that the afterparty was hosted by Russian model and DJ Anastasia Shevtsova after the international premiere of The Moment at the Berlinale Film Festival on Saturday, February 14. The report highlighted Shevtsova’s family connections, noting she is the daughter of Zhanna Shevtsova, president of the Traditsiya Foundation, a Russian government-funded organization promoting Russian culture.
The familial association has drawn criticism due to Russia’s ongoing military invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022 and has resulted in widespread casualties and displacement. In response to the backlash, Anastasia Shevtsova posted a statement on Instagram denying any political affiliations or involvement with the conflict. She emphasized her personal connection to the tragedy, sharing, “My family members live in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The current tragedy affects me personally and deeply. I would never wish harm, violence, or suffering upon anyone.”
The Moment features Charli xcx portraying an exaggerated version of herself navigating sudden fame during her Brat album era. The film premiered in U.S. theaters on January 30 and had its international premiere at Berlinale in mid-February.
Alongside promoting The Moment globally, Charli has also released a companion album for Wuthering Heights, Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, which came out on February 13.
During the Berlinale premiere, Charli confirmed that The Moment represents the conclusion of her current artistic era, marking a significant milestone in her career.
