Caught with their pants down One year later, many of the Russian elites canceled over an ‘almost naked’ party have either lost their careers or embraced Putin
One year ago, Russian blogger and TV presenter Nastya Ivleeva hosted a controversial party in Moscow with an “almost naked” dress code, inviting top celebrities (and, on the event’s less-exclusive second night, ordinary people) to carouse in minimal clothing. The event immediately sparked outrage, particularly among pro-war bloggers and censorship activists like Yekaterina Mizulina. Ivleeva initially embraced the backlash, claiming to enjoy getting hate for the event: “God, I love it so much. May it never end.”
In the days that followed, however, the uproar snowballed into a legal disaster and PR crisis for Ivleeva. On December 26, a group of 22 people filed a class-action lawsuit demanding she donate one billion rubles (around $11 million) to an organization supporting Russian soldiers in Ukraine. A separate lawsuit sought 200 million rubles ($2,254,000) from Ivleeva and each of four party guests for “moral damages.” The mobile operator MTS and Tinkoff Bank both ended their advertising contracts with Ivleeva, and Russian tax authorities launched an investigation against her for alleged underpayment.
The fallout from the party affected not just its host but its attendees as well. Here’s how the public shaming orchestrated by Russia’s pro-war establishment led to major changes in the lives of some of the figures involved in the “almost naked” party.
Nastya Ivleeva
Before the party
Before December 2023, Ivleeva was a successful TV host with a popular YouTube channel, lucrative sponsorship deals with major brands, and acting roles. In 2021, she was named the richest blogger in Russia.
After the party
Immediately after the “almost naked” party, Ivleeva lost brand deals and stopped posting on YouTube. Even after posting a video apologizing for hosting the party, she was fined 100,000 rubles (around $1,120).
In the months that followed, Ivleeva became a vocal supporter of President Putin and the invasion of Ukraine. In March 2024, she visited occupied Ukrainian territory, a move many Russian public figures have used to demonstrate their repentance for actions deemed anti-government in recent years.
In early May, Ivleeva appeared in a “patriotic” interview with YouTuber Luka Yebkov, where she denied supporting opposition leader Alexey Navalny and claimed that “new life is being born from the ruins” in war-torn Mariupol. When asked what she would say to Putin if given the chance, Ivleeva responded, “What can I help you with?”
On December 19, 2024, Ivleeva wrote on Telegram that she had watched Putin’s year-end press conference and hadn’t missed “a single word.”
Vacio (Nikolai Vasiliev)
Before the party
Nikolai Vasiliev, better known by his stage name Vacio, had released four albums and collaborated with well-known artists, including Belarusian rapper LSP and Boris Grebenshchikov, the legendary frontman of the rock band Aquarium. Vacio’s music was often provocative, but he seemed to enjoy generating controversy.
After the party
After the “almost naked” party, Vacio was sentenced to 25 days in jail for disorderly conduct and received a military summons upon his release. In response, he attempted to reshape his image. In a January 10 Telegram post, he claimed to be “not a rapper but a professional musician who graduated from jazz school.”
For a time, Vacio appeared to be actively preparing to join the army, and he even praised Vladimir Putin for his “diplomacy.”
However, in May 2024, Vacio left Russia suddenly and with no public explanation. He has since stopped posting on social media.
Filipp Korkorov
Before the party
Singer Filipp Korkorov was a regular fixture on Russian New Year’s Eve TV specials, large-scale concerts, and Moscow social events. He was consistently featured on lists of the country’s wealthiest artists.
After the party
In the wake of the “almost naked” party, Kirkorov was filmed speaking with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov about why he had attended. The following day, he posted a video apologizing (and offering excuses) for participating. Despite these damage control efforts, however, Kirkorov was removed from the lineup of several New Year’s shows.
In February, after a ritual visit to the occupied Donbas region in Ukraine, Kirkorov was allowed to host the Golden Gramophone music awards in St. Petersburg. He later participated in the celebrity game show Stars: Duel and starred in the comedy film Brothers.
In his most recent comments on the “almost naked” party, Kirkorov blamed Ivleeva for the entire debacle, calling her a “bitch.”
Igor Mishin
Before the party
At the time of the “almost naked” party, Igor Mishin was serving as the general producer of Kion, the video streaming service of Russian mobile network MTS.
After the party
A lawsuit was filed against Mishin and MTS for “moral damage,” but it was later dismissed. Nonetheless, a source told Meduza that Mishin was given an ultimatum: either apologize for attending the party, or resign from his post at MTS.
On November 21, 2024, law enforcement raided Mishin’s home, though the exact reason remains unclear. Shortly after, Mishin resigned from Kion, purportedly “by mutual agreement.”
In a private Facebook post in late November, he wrote that he had decided to “end his career.”
Mutabor nightclub
Before the party
Mutabor was one of the most popular event venues in Moscow throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, hosting techno parties, festivals, and concerts by both Russian and international artists.
After the party
After the “almost naked” party, the club was raided by law enforcement, investigated by Russia’s federal censorship agency, and temporarily shut down.
In January, as an act of “atonement” for the party, the owners of the club gifted fragments of relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker to a Moscow church.
In March, Mutabor changed its name to Arma. However, this wasn’t enough to avoid the authorities’ ire. In late November, Moscow police raided the club “as part of the fight against LGBT propaganda,” according to Russian state media. Twelve people were reportedly arrested on disorderly conduct charges, and two were later fined.
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