Overview

• Australian-born singer Vassy withdrew at the last minute from the Kremlin-backed Intervision Song Contest, where she had been slated to represent the United States.
• She told the ABC she had left Moscow and was in shock, saying she would not share details until speaking with the Australian government.
• Event organizers alleged “unprecedented political pressure” from Australia and claimed an official note was sent to the artist on 20 September.
• An Australian federal government spokesperson said there was no engagement with Intervision in relation to Vassy’s participation.
• The contest concluded in Moscow with Vietnam’s Duc Phuc announced as the winner of the Russia-revived alternative to Eurovision.