An Australian is representing the U.S. at Russia’s Eurovision rival. After the announcement, her LGBTQ advocacy briefly vanished from Wikipedia.
American singer Brandon Howard has withdrawn from Russia’s Intervision song contest just days before it begins, with Australian-born dance artist Vassy named as his replacement. Shortly after the announcement, journalists noted that references to her queer rights advocacy had briefly been removed from her Wikipedia page — an apparent attempt to downplay her ties to the issue given Russia’s strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
American singer Brandon Howard, who had been slated to perform at the Intervision singing competition in Moscow — Russia’s answer to Eurovision — has withdrawn from the competition, which begins on Saturday.
According to the contest’s press service, Howard is unable to participate due to “unforeseen family circumstances.”
Shortly after the announcement, organizers revealed that the U.S. will now be represented by the Australian-born singer Vassy. The Intervision Telegram channel describes her as a “global dance music star”:
The first woman to receive the EDMA Icon Award (2023), Vassy has collaborated with Tiësto and David Guetta on chart-topping tracks that have gone multi-platinum in 30 countries. Her hits have racked up millions of streams worldwide. In addition to her music career, she is actively involved in social initiatives, including music education for youth and the promotion of green technologies.
Vassy’s real name is Vassiliki Karagiorgos. According to her Wikipedia page, she is an Australian citizen of Greek descent. In interviews, the singer has mentioned that she served as an ambassador for the NOH8 Campaign, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting LGBTQ+ marriage rights and gender equality.
The independent Russian outlet Novaya Gazeta reported that on September 17, information about Vassy’s work with NOH8 was briefly removed from her Wikipedia page before being restored.
The Russian authorities prohibit the dissemination of content that “promotes non-traditional sexual relationships and/or preferences.” In 2023, the Russian Supreme Court declared the non-existent “international LGBT movement” to be extremist and banned it in the country.