Russian rapper jailed after Moscow’s ‘almost naked’ party triggers backlash

A recent “almost naked” party thrown by popular Instagram influencer Anastasia Ivleeva at a Moscow nightclub has set off a firestorm of controversy, unveiling a growing trend towards conservative values in Russia.

Ivleeva’s “almost naked” event featured scantily clad celebrities and took place against the backdrop of Vladimir Putin’s shift towards a more conservative and anti-liberal agenda.

The party, held on December 20th, saw household names in attendance who had remained in the country since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The dress-up ball, themed “almost naked,” showcased stars donned in flesh-coloured mesh, lace, and lingerie.

Notably, one rapper made a bold statement by attending in nothing but a sock, reminiscent of the iconic 1987 Red Hot Chili Peppers album cover.

Footage from the event swiftly circulated on Russian social media, sparking outrage among pro-war commentators and nationalist officials.

In the wake of the party, the rapper Vacio, also known as Nikolai Vasilyev, who had sported the provocative sock outfit, was summoned to court. He faced charges under the notorious “gay propaganda” law and was subsequently sentenced to 15 days in jail.

The repercussions extended beyond legal consequences, as many celebrities who attended the party experienced cancelled concerts and terminated advertising contracts. This has been dubbed the most significant “cancelling” of stars in Russia since the initiation of the war in Ukraine.

Feeling the threat to their careers and even personal freedoms, several celebrities took to public apologies. Filipp Kirkorov, Russia’s pop icon, issued a plea for forgiveness, acknowledging irresponsibility in participating in such events during challenging times. Ksenia Sobchak, a prominent media personality rumoured to be Putin’s goddaughter, expressed regret, recognising the inappropriateness of her attendance and social media sharing during a period of conflict.

The fallout from the party has also led to legal consequences for its organizer, Anastasia Ivleeva. Authorities launched an inspection into tax evasion against Ivleeva, and more than 20 people have signed a class-action lawsuit demanding she pay a substantial amount to a pro-war charity.