Key Points
- Moscow's "almost naked" party, held on 20 December by influencer Anastasia Ivleeva, sparked public outrage.
- Television stars, singers and other notable personalities attended the party in underwear or skimpy costumes.
- After criticism from conservative figures and MPs, numerous attendees have since issued public apologies.
A rapper who attended a celebrity party at a Moscow nightclub wearing only a sock has been jailed for 15 days, while other attendees have angered authorities.
Nikolai Vasilyev, a rapper known as Vacio, was among those who went to an "almost naked" party held last week that came as Russia pursues an increasingly conservative social agenda.
He was jailed and fined 200,000 roubles ($3,500) after his outfit - a sock covering his penis - was deemed to be propaganda of "non-traditional sexual relations".
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said that the event had "stained" those who took part, according to Russian news agency Ura.ru.
What happened?
The party, in Moscow's Mutabor nightclub on 20 December, was organised by blogger Anastasia (Nastya) Ivleeva and attended by well-known singers in their underwear or wearing skimpy costumes who have been staples on state TV entertainment programmes for years.
Attendees were required to follow the "almost naked" dress code. Notable guests included musicians, journalists, bloggers and other well-known personalities.
The party, which took place on 20 December in Moscow, was organised by the widely followed Instagram influencer Anastasia Ivleeva. Credit: Instagram
After photos and videos from the party surfaced on social media, activists from the ultra-conservative Forty Forties movement, concerned about potential "LGBT propaganda", filed a complaint demanding an investigation into the event.
Pro-Kremlin bloggers, MPs and activists who support the war in Ukraine have expressed anger, questioning how celebrities could engage in such events while Russian soldiers were risking their lives in Ukraine.
Vladimir Solovyov, a TV presenter and previously referred to as "the most energetic Kremlin propagandist" by the US State Department, wrote on Telegram: "How morally deaf must you be?
"Right now, young boys are fighting on the front. How can you know nothing about the country, about Putin? The Supreme Commander raises a glass for our Victory, and you scoundrels — who are you for?"
On the same day, 22 December, State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein announced that the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Roskomnadzor, had identified signs of "LGBT propaganda" in the party's posts and "has already started removing and blocking this filth".
Big names, loud apologies
Ivleeva, 32, is a Russian TV presenter, actress and blogger. She also hosted a popular Ukrainian travel TV show, Oryol i Reshka, that was broadcast in the Russian language in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and Kazakhstan.
Initially, she responded to criticism with mockery.
"I love that at every one of my parties — well, this is the second loud one, it turns out — people comment that it's debauchery beyond measure," Ivleeva said on 21 December in an audio message on her Telegram channel, which she later deleted.
"They write: 'What are they doing? This is some devilry, satanism.' Even though it's just beautiful people ... in beautiful, semi-nude outfits.
"And at the same time, we look at the West, at the outings of beautiful, slim models, and say, 'Damn, they're so beautiful, they're so cool.' Our beautiful, toned artists come out, and everyone is like, 'Damn, how can this happen, the entertainment industry has stooped so low.'"
The blogger even urged people to write "more comments" and express "more indignation".
When the campaign against the party gained momentum, Ivleeva posted a two-part video apology — wearing a very modest knitted buttoned-up jumper and wiping away tears.
She called it "an honest conversation" with her fans and said that "she totally deserved what happened to her". She added that the situation should serve as an example that some people need because "today you're at the top, but tomorrow you could be at the bottom".
'Walked through the wrong door'
Philipp Kirkorov, 56, is considered Russia's king of pop. He is a five-time winner of the Best Selling Russian Artist title at the World Music Awards ceremonies.
Following Ivleeva's public apology, Kirkorov, who attended the event in a sheer jumpsuit, also issued a video statement, claiming he simply "walked through the wrong door".
Russian singer Philipp Kirkorov was photographed with Ivleeva at the "almost naked" party. In a subsequent video apology, Kirkorov wore a modest black turtleneck jumper. Credit: Instagram/VK
"I didn't know about the nature of the events behind those doors. And I left," he said.
In the video, Kirkorov emphasised several times that he is a "patriot of his country".
Russian singer, songwriter and actor Dima Bilan, 42, received international fame for representing in 2006, finishing second. He won the contest in 2008 in Belgrade, with the song Believe.
He called his appearance at the party "a gentlemanly gesture" and stressed that he wore a polo neck, a big trench coat, trousers and shoes.
Russian Eurovision veteran Dima Bilan said he "couldn’t know in advance what the other guests would be wearing". Credit: VK
"I have always stood up for my country," he added. "By the way, I hosted the latest concert for the special military operation families on 5th October."
Ksenia Sobchak (right) at the Moscow "almost naked" party with Anastasia Ivleeva and singer Gluk'oza (left). Credit: Instagram
She posted her apologetic video on Telegram, saying that she "realised" that attending Ivleeva's party was inappropriate at a time when Russian troops were fighting in Ukraine.
"If anyone was offended by my appearance, I apologise for that. I don’t want to cause hatred and anger toward myself and other artists because of this stupid accident," Sobchak said.
