t.A.T.u.

Origins and Formation of t.A.T.u.

t.A.T.u. is a Russian pop duo formed in Moscow in 1999 by producer Ivan Shapovalov. Shapovalov and his partner Alexander Voitinskiy auditioned teenage girls to create a provocative music project. They ultimately chose Lena Katina and Julia Volkova, who had been friends in a children’s music group called Neposedy. Both girls were just 14 years old when the project began. The group’s name t.A.T.u. comes from the Russian phrase “Ta lyubit tu,” meaning “this girl loves that girl,” reflecting their initial schoolgirl lesbian image. From the start, Shapovalov crafted t.A.T.u.’s identity to be controversial and attention-grabbing, capitalizing on the fascination with rebellious youth culture and same-sex romance. This unique concept set the stage for the duo’s rapid rise in the Russian pop scene.

Breakthrough Success and International Fame

t.A.T.u. quickly achieved breakthrough success in Eastern Europe with their debut Russian album 200 Po Vstrechnoy in 2001. Its lead single, “Ya Soshla s Uma” (translated as “All the Things She Said”), became a sensation with its catchy pop-rock sound and taboo-defying music video. The video featured the two teenage girls kissing in school uniforms. This grabbed worldwide attention for its shock value. Off this momentum, the duo signed with Interscope Records to target international markets.

In late 2002, t.A.T.u. released the English-language album 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane, produced by Trevor Horn. It included the single “All the Things She Said” which topped the charts in 19 countries including the UK, Australia, and Russia. This made t.A.T.u. the first Russian act to score a number-one hit in the UK. Their follow-up single “Not Gonna Get Us” also became an international hit.

By early 2003, t.A.T.u.’s debut album had sold over a million copies in Europe (certified Platinum by IFPI). It even became the first album by a foreign group to reach #1 in Japan. This worldwide success established t.A.T.u. as the most successful Russian musical export of all time. They were heralded in Western media as the hottest new pop act. The duo was praised by outlets like Blender and The Face magazines for their edgy appeal. At the height of their fame, Katina and Volkova, still in their teens, found themselves performing on global stages and appearing on magazine covers as Russia’s first true international pop stars.

Eurovision 2003: High Expectations and Third Place Finish

In May 2003, t.A.T.u. represented Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Riga, Latvia. The duo entered Eurovision with the song “Ne Ver’, Ne Boysia” (Russian for “Don’t Believe, Don’t Fear”). There was enormous buzz and high expectations that t.A.T.u. might win the contest, given their fame and fan base across Europe. Their performance was closely watched. The EBU even warned the group against any impromptu stunts on stage due to their risqué reputation. Ultimately, t.A.T.u. finished in third place out of 26 countries.

After the contest, Russian broadcaster Channel One controversially complained that an Irish backup jury (used due to televote issues) may have cost t.A.T.u. the win. However, published televote results showed the outcome would have been the same. Turkey was still winning Eurovision 2003. There were also reports that t.A.T.u.’s record label had initially opposed their Eurovision participation. They were arguing the contest was meant for newcomers and not established stars. Despite the debates, t.A.T.u.’s Eurovision appearance became a memorable moment in contest history. Their bold presence drew huge ratings and their song became an anthem for many fans. The duo would later return to the Eurovision stage in 2009 as an interval act in Moscow, performing their hit “Not Gonna Get Us” with the Red Army Choir for a nostalgic nod to their past.

Major Songs, Albums, and Tours

Following Eurovision, t.A.T.u. focused on new music and projects. In 2005, they released their second studio album in English, Dangerous and Moving, along with its Russian-language counterpart Lyudi Invalidy. By this time the duo had split from manager Ivan Shapovalov, partly due to creative conflicts (they felt he prioritized scandal over music). Dangerous and Moving featured the hit single “All About Us,” which became a worldwide top 10 hit and reaffirmed the band’s pop appeal. Other singles from this era included “Friend or Foe” and the ballad “Gomenasai.” t.A.T.u. promoted the album with global tours, performing across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Their stage shows often drew big crowds of devoted fans. In 2006, the duo kicked off a Dangerous and Moving Tour, with concerts from Russia and Eastern Europe to Western Europe and beyond. They also launched their own production company, T.A. Music, giving them more creative control.

Experimental projects

t.A.T.u.’s later career saw experimental projects. In 2008, they ventured into film, starring (as themselves) in You and I, a drama inspired by their story and directed by Roland Joffé. The same year, they released a Russian album Vesyolye Ulybki (Happy Smiles), followed by its English version Waste Management in 2009. These releases were done more independently after the group parted ways with their international label. While these later albums did not match the explosive success of their debut, they cultivated a cult following.

Throughout their career, t.A.T.u. produced three English-language albums and three Russian-language albums, spawning multiple compilation albums and remixes. Among their major songs are signature hits like “All the Things She Said,” “Not Gonna Get Us,” “All About Us,” “Nas Ne Dogonyat” (the Russian version of Not Gonna Get Us), and “30 Minutes,” all of which remain fan favorites. Over the years the duo performed dozens of concerts worldwide. They notably played large festivals and TV events, and even appeared at the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, performing to a stadium of millions. By 2010, t.A.T.u. had sold over 10 million records globally and firmly cemented their place in pop music history as Russian pop ambassadors.

Controversies and Public Image

Controversy was never far from t.A.T.u.’s public image. The group was deliberately marketed as a pair of rebellious teenage girls in love, which sparked heated debate. The music video for “All the Things She Said,” featuring Lena and Julia kissing in the rain behind a barbed-wire fence, was met with both praise and outrage. Some broadcasters in the UK and elsewhere considered banning it, claiming it sexualized underage girls in a shocking way. The BBC later clarified it hadn’t officially banned the video, but the outcry showed how provocative t.A.T.u. was. The duo’s habit of kissing on stage and wearing school uniforms became a hot topic. Conservative groups accused them of immorality, while many young fans saw them as bold trailblazers challenging social norms.

LGBTQ

Behind the scenes, it eventually emerged that the lesbian angle was a calculated stage persona. In a 2003 documentary Anatomy of t.A.T.u., Lena and Julia admitted they were not actually a couple. This led some critics to label them “fake” lesbians, especially after Julia became pregnant in 2004 and the truth of their heterosexual identities became clear. Lena Katina later explained that the group’s original intent was to support LGBTQ people through their songs, but their manager “made us out to be lesbians when we were just singing for lesbians”. She noted they wanted to promote understanding, not just shock value.

Throughout their run, t.A.T.u. walked a fine line between publicity stunt and pop activism, which kept them in headlines. They also faced backlash for canceling several concerts and tours on short notice in the early 2000s, leading to lawsuits from promoters. Despite the controversies, t.A.T.u. won awards (like MTV Russia’s “Legend Award” in 2008) and were repeatedly listed among Russia’s richest and sexiest celebrities. Their provocativeness was part of their brand, and it helped push discussions about media censorship, LGBT representation, and artistic freedom into mainstream conversation.

Breakup and Solo Careers of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova

By 2009, t.A.T.u.’s activity had slowed as both members began eyeing individual projects. The duo went on hiatus that year, and in March 2011 their management announced that t.A.T.u. had officially split up, ending their run as a full-time act. After 12 years together, Lena Katina and Julia Volkova decided to pursue solo careers and new creative directions. Their final releases as t.A.T.u. were a pair of compilation albums and the last studio album Waste Management. The parting was not without personal tensions. Over the years the singers had occasional public spats and periods of not speaking, but both agreed it was time to move on. 

Lena Katina

Lena launched her solo career first. In late 2011, she released her debut solo single “Never Forget,” a dramatic pop song reflecting on leaving the past behind. The song was well received. It reached #1 on MTV Russia’s Top 10 and even won Video of the Year 2011 on MTV Russia. Impressively, “Never Forget” also hit #1 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, showing that Katina could find success on her own. She moved to Los Angeles for a time and worked on English-language music.

In 2014 Lena released her first solo album, This Is Who I Am, featuring a mix of pop-rock and dance songs. The album was later reissued in Spanish as Esta Soy Yo. Over the years Katina has continued recording (her second album Mono came out in 2019) and performing at club concerts and Eurovision fan events. She generally received positive reviews as a solo artist, noted for her strong vocals and more authentic image in contrast to t.A.T.u.’s gimmicks.

Julia Volkova

Julia also embarked on a solo path, though hers was marked by some challenges. In 2011 Volkova signed with Gala Records and debuted with the single “All Because of You,” released in both English and Russian. She followed up in 2012 with a dance-pop track “Didn’t Wanna Do It”. Julia’s distinctive raspy voice remained her signature, but in late 2012 she faced a serious health scare, thyroid cancer, which required surgery and temporarily damaged her vocal cords. She fought to recover her voice and eventually returned to performing.

Volkova attempted to return to the Eurovision Song Contest by competing in Russia’s 2012 Eurovision national selection in duet with Dima Bilan. They did not win the ticket to Baku. Over time, Julia also dabbled in other ventures, including a brief foray into fashion and even Russian politics (she announced a run for office in 2021). However, she courted controversy in 2014 with a homophobic remark on a TV show, a shocking turn given t.A.T.u.’s past image, which drew widespread criticism. Despite ups and downs, Volkova has periodically released music and continues to have a loyal fan following in Russia and abroad.

Reunions and Current Projects

Even after breaking up, Lena and Julia did not completely close the chapter on t.A.T.u. Over the years, the duo has reunited several times for nostalgia-driven performances. In 2012–2013 they briefly came back together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane. Their most high-profile reunion came in February 2014, when t.A.T.u. performed at the Sochi Winter Olympics opening ceremony pre-show in Russia. In front of a massive international audience, they sang their Russian hit “Nas Ne Dogonyat” as a symbol of modern Russian pop culture, receiving loud applause. That same year they released a one-off single together, but personal conflicts behind the scenes soon re-emerged, putting new collaborative music on hold.

After a quiet period, t.A.T.u.’s legacy experienced a revival in the 2020s. In 2022, Lena Katina announced that t.A.T.u. would return to the stage for a special tribute concert. Although initially delayed by the pandemic, the reunion plans excited fans worldwide. In September 2022, Lena and Julia officially reunited on stage at the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk, Belarus, headlining a large music show and performing their classic hits together. This was followed by another joint performance in May 2023 at a sporting event in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The nostalgia for early 2000s pop ensured these events drew enthusiastic crowds. As of mid-2025, t.A.T.u. has continued to make select appearances; notably, they performed an exclusive concert in July 2025 at a resort in Yalta, drawing fans from around the region.