Australian-born singer drops out of Russian-hosted Intervision tune contest after ‘political strain’

An Australian-born singer representing the United States on the Russian-hosted Intervision tune contest has dropped out on the final minute after what organisers claimed was political strain from the Australian authorities.

Vasiliki Karagiorgos, recognized professionally as “Vassy”, was slated to signify the US on Saturday within the Soviet-era tune contest in Moscow, which was revived this 12 months on the decree of President Vladimir Putin after Russia was banned from Eurovision as a result of battle in Ukraine.

But the Australian singer and producer, who was set to carry out within the fifth slot, dropped out after coming below what Russian organisers mentioned was “unprecedented political pressure from the government of Australia”.

The singer instructed the ABC in a press release that she had left Moscow and was “still in shock”, including she was reluctant to offer additional particulars till she spoke with the Australian authorities.

“For now, I’ll take the time to process everything,” she mentioned.

“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.”

The Australian authorities has been approached for remark.

Born in Darwin to Greek immigrant mother and father, Vassy moved to the US within the 2010s, turning into the primary Australian artist to hit primary on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart with the monitor We Are Young.

She returned to Australia in 2022.

In 2023, Vassy turned the primary lady to win an Icon trophy on the Electronic Dance Music Awards in Miami.

Vietnam topped the winner

This 12 months’s Intervision tune contest, which featured acts aimed toward selling “traditional family values”, attracted singers from 23 nations, accounting for greater than half the world’s inhabitants, together with China, India and Brazil.

Vietnam’s Duc Phuc was topped the winner within the early hours of Sunday morning by a jury of representatives from every collaborating nation, scoring a money prize of 30 million roubles ($546,000).

Kyrgyzstan was awarded second place whereas Qatar got here third.

All songs have been carried out in nationwide languages.

Russia’s personal entrant — Shaman, whose actual identify is Yaroslav Dronov — requested the jury to ignore his efficiency resulting from Moscow being the host.

The present was broadcast stay on Russian tv, with organisers saying it was additionally broadcast over the web or on TV in different nations with a mixed inhabitants of greater than 4 billion folks.

Aside from a duo of Russian-language presenters, the presenting staff included a feminine Indian presenter talking in English and a Chinese male presenter talking in Mandarin.

Mr Putin opened the ultimate with a video assertion, saying the world was altering quick and wishing the contestants good luck.

Organisers mentioned Saudi Arabia had agreed to host the competition subsequent 12 months.

ABC/Wires