Greek-Australian singer Vassy will represent the United States at the revived Intervision contest, Russia’s answer to Eurovision, stepping in for R&B artist B. Howard, who withdrew for personal reasons.
Vassy’s Journey: From Greece to the Global Stage
Born Vasiliki Karagiorgos in Australia to Greek parents from Kozani and Grevena, Vassy embodies a blend of cultures. She became a U.S. citizen during the pandemic, adding another chapter to her global identity.
Over the years, she has collaborated with EDM giants such as David Guetta and Tiësto, and in 2023 she broke barriers by becoming the first woman to win the ICON Award at the Electronic Dance Music Awards.
Intervision: Russia’s Rival to Eurovision
The Intervision contest, which originally existed briefly in the 1960s and 1970s in the Soviet era, has been revived by Moscow as a cultural counterweight to the Eurovision Song Contest. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, and the new competition is widely seen as a response to that exclusion.
Although promoted as a “depoliticized” celebration of music, reports suggest President Vladimir Putin himself appointed senior Kremlin officials to the contest’s board and organizing committee.
The Contest Begins September 20
The competition kicks off at Moscow’s Live Arena on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Performers will include artists from former Soviet states such as Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, as well as from BRICS members including Brazil, India, South Africa, Egypt, and the UAE.
