The “almost naked” celebrity party that caused a political scandal in Russia

Russia He already has his own scandal involving celebrities at a party.

What happened in a nightclub Moscow This month has been strange. But what happened next says a lot about the current atmosphere in Russia.

LOOK: What the “omnibus law” that Milei sent to the Argentine Congress consists of (and why this third stage of his reforms is the most profound)

On December 20th, the blogger and television presenter Nastya Ivleeva organized a party. So far everything is normal.

But the subject of that night in at the Mutabor nightclub, in the Russian capital, it was “Almost Naked Party”. Participants had to appear almost naked.

We could say that the dress code that night was exactly the opposite: there was none. The less clothes, the better.

Celebrities and pop stars attended the night. Russian rapper Vacio, whose real name is Nikolai Vasiliev, appeared wearing just zsports shoes and strategically placed socks.

It was a private party. But it became public knowledge when they appeared videos and photos on social media.

Overnight, the piece that covered Vacio became the most famous sock in Russia. And not in a good way.

Videos and photos of the party flooded Russian social media. (REUTERS).

The scandal broke. Bloggers, parliamentarians and Pro-Kremlin activists who support the war in Ukraine were furious: How could celebrities celebrate like this while Russian soldiers were risking their lives in the “special military operation”?

It was a bitter end to the party for many of the participants.

Rapper Vacio was arrested and imprisoned for 15 days for “disturbing public order”. He was also fined 200,000 rubles (about $2,200) for “promoting non-traditional sexual relations.”

The organizer of the “Almost Naked Party”, Nastya Ivleeva faces legal action.

More than 20 people signed a collective action.

They demand pay 1 billion rubles (almost $11 million) to the Defender of the Fatherland Foundationan organization that donates money to soldiers involved in the Kremlin’s “special operation” in Ukraine.

Other revelers also encountered problems in the music industry.

Russia’s veteran Eurovision representative, Dima Bilan, was one of the guests. (JOHNNY NUNEZ/WIREIMAGE).

This talks about cancellation of concert dates and termination of advertising contracts.

The local press also reported that some of the stars are being cut from shows of pre-recorded entertainment that Russian television has prepared for New Year’s Eve.

Suddenly canceled

One by one, the party’s prominent guests took to social media: some to apologize for their presence, others to insist they had done nothing wrong.

“I recognize that I made a mistake” declared megastar Philipp Kirkorov, already fully dressed.

“The last thing I want is for a mistake like this to result in restrictions on my career in Russia, the only country where I exist as an artist and as a citizenany”.

“He was wearing a turtleneck, a big overcoat, pants and shoes,” said pop star Dima Bilan.

“I couldn’t know in advance what the other guests would be wearing.”

Megastar Philipp Kirkorov in a performance. (GET IMAGES).

“They say that Russia knows how to forgive. If so, I would like I ask you, people, for a second chance“, said Nastya Ivleeva in her video message.

“If the answer is no, then I am ready for my public execution. I will not back down. I am ready for any outcome.”

The events of recent days will have surprised these celebrities.

Behind large-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Kremlinthey made a conscious decision to remain in Russia and continue their careers, and often their luxurious lifestyles, in the country.

Public criticism was reserved for pacifist celebrities who left Russia.

That it’s over. But why?

It seems to me that the Russian political system increasingly dependent on scapegoats. You need groups or individuals who you can point the finger at and blame for internal and external problems.

Nastya Ivleeva apologized on social media. (REUTERS).

Until now, these scapegoats have included Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU and NATO.

And everything indicates that now they have Added some Russian celebrities to this list.

Maxim Katz, an exiled Russian opposition activist, summarized the events in a social media post: “In the past, people who attended parties like this had a simple social contract: do what you want, as long as you’re loyal”.

“But now life is not a party. These ostentations contrast with external reality. You can’t celebrate lightly in a country that is at war.”

“For the first time in a long time, the system punished those who supported all its rules, as long as they did not apply them.”

Source: Elcomercio