Remember when t.A.T.u made headlines for their provocative music videos and shocking antics? It’s been a long time since the BBC was accused of banning the Russian girl group’s raunchy video, but their story is far from over.
Even though the iconic Top of the Pops show is no longer airing, the duo is still going strong, rocking the stage at recent reunion concerts in Minsk and St. Petersburg.
Let’s take a look at where they’ve been and how they’ve remained as bold and provocative as ever.
t.A.T.u’s Bold Beginnings and the BBC Scandal
t.A.T.u, the Russian pop duo consisting of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova, first captured the world’s attention in the early 2000s, particularly with their hit song All The Things She Said.
The accompanying music video, which stirred up major controversy, featured the pair dressed as schoolgirls, passionately kissing in the rain while onlookers watched impassively.
The video caused an uproar, and the BBC quickly found itself in the spotlight, accused of banning the video from its pre-watershed airings.
However, the BBC denied these claims, stating they simply had other content available at the time.
ITV also refused to air the clip, deeming it unsuitable for children.
Despite the backlash, the video helped catapult t.A.T.u into the global spotlight.
The duo built a reputation for their provocative image, which they later admitted was a marketing gimmick—playing into a lesbian persona for shock value.
They pushed boundaries, which made them a staple in the media.
The Peak of t.A.T.u’s Career and Publicity Stunts
Their rise to fame wasn’t just about the music.
The duo was a fixture in the media, constantly in the public eye. t.A.T.u performed at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Russia and finishing in third place. They also made headlines with a range of publicity stunts, including wearing T-shirts with “f**k the war” written in Russian on The Tonight Show in 2003, and even attempting to run for president in Russia in 2004.
Their hit single All The Things She Said shot to number one on the UK charts and achieved similar success across Europe and Asia.
However, their success didn’t last forever.
After a series of less impactful singles, t.A.T.u disbanded in 2011. It seemed like their time had passed, but the duo’s story didn’t end there.
A Controversial Comeback and Russian Politics
In May 2023, t.A.T.u made a surprising return, performing at Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg.
This comeback was particularly noteworthy because it happened amidst a crackdown on LGBT rights in Russia, as authorities sought to expunge any traces of LGBT-related content.
Despite attempts to cancel the duo for spreading “LGBT propaganda,” they sang their iconic song Not Gonna Get Us in front of thousands of Russian fans, sending a powerful message: “Nothing can stop this, ‘Not now, I love you,’ ‘They’re not gonna get us.’”
Their performance took place just before a match between Zenit St. Petersburg and Spartak Moscow, a game in which Zenit won 3-2, securing their fifth consecutive Russian Premier League title.
Life Beyond t.A.T.u: Lena’s Personal Journey
Since the band’s breakup, Lena Katina has focused on her personal life and solo career.
She married millionaire businessman Dmitry Spiridonov in 2022, her second marriage, after her first with Sasha Kuzmanović ended in 2019.
Lena shares a son, Aleksandr, with her ex-husband and had another son with Dmitry in 2023. Aside from t.A.T.u, Lena has released three studio albums and even topped the U.S. Billboard club chart with her 2011 single Never Forget.
She’s managed to keep her personal life relatively private, opting for a quiet wedding without media attention.
Yulia’s Controversial Views and Political Ventures
Yulia Volkova, on the other hand, has faced her share of controversy.
She first made headlines in 2004 when she revealed her pregnancy with then-boyfriend Pavel Sidorov, who was already married.
After their split, she went on to have two more children, including a son, Samir, with businessman Parviz Yasinov.
In 2013, Yulia shocked fans by announcing her conversion to Islam, only to later revert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
She also caused a stir in 2014 during an appearance on Lie Detector, where she stated she would condemn her son if he came out as gay.
Despite her controversial stance, she expressed no issue with lesbians, claiming that “two girls together” were “aesthetically much nicer” than two men.
In 2021, Yulia ventured into politics, running as a candidate for Russia’s conservative party, United Russia, although she lost the election.
The Legacy of t.A.T.u
Even with the political and personal controversies surrounding them, t.A.T.u’s impact on the pop music scene and global pop culture remains undeniable.
Their shock tactics, bold stances, and unforgettable music videos made them a defining act of the early 2000s.
Now, even as their style and views evolve, the duo continues to make waves, proving that their journey is far from over.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn