Vasiliki Karagiorgos, known as Vassy, has withdrawn from the Intervision song contest in Moscow, where she was set to represent the United States. Organizers claim her decision came after significant political pressure from the Australian government.

Vassy was scheduled to perform on Saturday in the revived Soviet-era contest, which was reinstated by President Vladimir Putin after Russia's exclusion from Eurovision due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Australian singer and producer was to take the fifth performance slot but left Moscow unexpectedly.

In a statement to the ABC, Vassy expressed her shock at the situation. "For now, I'll take the time to process everything," she said. "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." She indicated that she would provide more details after consulting with the Australian government.

Born in Darwin to Greek immigrant parents, Vassy moved to the United States in the 2010s. She made history as the first Australian artist to reach number one on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart with her hit "We Are Young." After returning to Australia in 2022, she became the first woman to win an Icon trophy at the Electronic Dance Music Awards in Miami in 2023.

The Intervision song contest featured participants from 23 countries, promoting what organizers described as "traditional family values." Vietnam's Duc Phuc won the contest, receiving a cash prize of 30 million roubles (approximately $546,000). Kyrgyzstan secured second place, while Qatar took third. All performances were conducted in the respective national languages.

Shaman, Russia's own contestant, requested the jury to disregard his performance due to the host country's involvement. The event was broadcast live on Russian television and streamed online, reaching an audience of over 4 billion people worldwide. The presenting team included a mix of Russian, Indian, and Chinese hosts.

In a video statement, President Putin opened the final, acknowledging the rapid changes in the world and wishing the contestants good luck. Organizers announced that Saudi Arabia will host the contest next year.