Australian government pressures singer to exit Intervision – organizers

Canberra reportedly pushed pop star Vassy to drop out of the competition

Australia has pressured pop star Vassy to withdraw from the Intervision song contest in Moscow at the last moment, the organizers said.

Born Vasiliki Karagiorgos, the singer, who holds both Australian and US citizenship, was slated to represent the US in the televised competition on Saturday.

“For reasons beyond the control of the organizers and the US delegation, and due to unprecedented political pressure from the Australian government, singer Vassy will not be able to perform in the contest’s final show,” the organizers announced on the website just hours before the event.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW