T.A.T.u.

t.A.T.u.

Company type	Duo
Industry	Music
Founded	1999
Founder	Ivan Shapovalov, Alexander Voitinskiy
Headquarters	Moscow , Russia
Products	Music albums, singles

t.A.T.u. (, , ) is a Russian pop duo composed of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. Initially members of the children's ensemble Neposedy, they were guided by producer Ivan Shapovalov and signed with the Russian label Neformat. Their first album, 200 Po Vstrechnoy (2001), saw commercial triumph in Eastern Europe, which led to a contract with Interscope Records for an English-language release titled 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002). This album earned a platinum certification from the IFPI for selling one million copies across Europe and became the first album by a foreign group to top charts in Japan. It also received gold certifications in both the US and UK, featuring global hits such as "All the Things She Said" and "Not Gonna Get Us". Representing Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Ne ver, ne boysya", they secured third place.

Their sophomore international release, Dangerous and Moving, alongside its Russian version Lyudi Invalidy, came out in 2005, achieving moderate success following their split from Shapovalov. The album included the international single "All About Us". Expanding their brand, t.A.T.u. founded their own production company, T.A. Music, and promoted the film You and I (2008), which drew inspiration from their experiences. Their last albums, Vesyolye Ulybki and Waste Management, were released in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The duo officially parted ways in 2011, both embarking on solo careers.

Since disbanding, t.A.T.u. have reunited sporadically for live performances, notably appearing during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi.

t.A.T.u. is acknowledged as one of the Russian acts to achieve substantial international acclaim, alongside prominent figures such as Alla Pugacheva and Anna Netrebko.

1999: Formation

Prior to forming t.A.T.u., Lena Katina and Julia Volkova were members of Neposedy, a group that also featured future Russian stars like Sergey Lazarev and Vlad Topalov. Between 1994 and 1997, Katina was also part of a band named "Avenue". While some reports suggested Volkova was expelled from Neposedy due to misconduct, the group clarified that she simply aged out of membership.

The concept for t.A.T.u. emerged in 1999 when Ivan Shapovalov and his business associate Alexander Voitinskiy aimed to develop an innovative Russian music project. They conducted auditions in Moscow, selecting ten girls including Katina and Volkova, who were already acquainted. At age 14, Katina began recording demo tracks such as "Yugoslavia", a protest song addressing NATO’s bombing campaign in Yugoslavia. Shortly thereafter, Volkova, also 14 at the time, joined to complete the duo.

Shapovalov drew inspiration from the Swedish film Show Me Love, which depicted a romance between two schoolgirls. The duo’s name "Тату" (Tatu) was devised as a pun on the English word "tattoo" and an abbreviated Russian phrase meaning "This [girl] loves that [girl]."

2000–2002: 200 Po Vstrechnoy

Following Voitinskiy’s departure due to reluctance to back a controversy-driven project, Katina and Volkova continued working with producers under Shapovalov’s direction. Elena Kiper joined as co-producer and co-writer for their debut album.

Their lead single "Ya Soshla S Uma" (later known internationally as "All the Things She Said") was released as a CD maxi single in December 2000. The track explores a girl’s emotional struggle with her feelings for another girl amidst societal disapproval. Kiper attributed the song’s concept to a dream she had, while Shapovalov contributed the memorable chorus line "Mne nuzhna ona" ("I need her"). The single dominated Russian charts for over four months and earned them an MTV Video Music Award among Russian nominees in 2001—marking their first significant accolade.

In May 2001, after signing with Universal Music Russia, they launched their debut album 200 Po Vstrechnoy on May 21. The record achieved notable success throughout Eastern Europe, securing platinum status from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry with sales exceeding one million copies—a remarkable achievement for an Eastern European artist. The second single, "Nas Ne Dogonyat", was released concurrently but only as a music video; a promotional CD was distributed in Poland. The third single "30 Minut" followed in September as another video-only release. A reissued edition of the album appeared in February 2002 featuring an added track "Klouny" plus remixes; it sold over 60,000 copies during its initial week. The original Russian version was later introduced to the Japanese market in September 2003.

Their lyrics, music videos, and live performances suggested a romantic connection between Katina and Volkova. While they occasionally confirmed this narrative during interviews, they often refrained from explicitly defining their sexual orientations.

Between 2001 and 2002, t.A.T.u. toured extensively across countries including Germany, Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Israel. Their shows incorporated precise choreography with elements of striptease. In early summer 2002 they released "Prostye Dvizheniya," a single not featured on their debut album; however, its music video was censored in Russia due to an explicit masturbation scene involving Volkova who was seventeen at that time.

2002–2003: 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane and Eurovision

At the start of 2002, the duo entered into a contract with the American label Interscope Records to launch an English-language version of their first album. Executive Jimmy Iovine brought in producer Trevor Horn to translate tracks such as "All the Things She Said" and "Not Gonna Get Us" into English, necessitating new instrumental recordings due to missing original multitrack sessions. Following disputes, Horn excluded manager Shapovalov from the recording process, characterizing him as "strict" and overly controlling.

By July 2002, Blender had hailed the group as "the future of rock & roll." The English album, named 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane, was released across Europe in October 2002 and achieved global sales exceeding five million copies. Its lead single, "All the Things She Said," reached number one in several countries including Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The provocative music video, depicting the duo kissing at age 15, ignited controversy over alleged promotion of lesbianism and pedophilia, resulting in performance bans and censorship.

The album debuted in North America on 10 December 2002. During promotion in the US and Canada, t.A.T.u. wore pacifist T-shirts protesting the Iraq War, attracting attention for their political message. On 25 February 2003, they openly challenged NBC’s censorship by performing "All the Things She Said" while kissing and displaying anti-war slogans written in Russian. Their later appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! included symbolic acts protesting media restrictions.

Their next single "Not Gonna Get Us" saw moderate success internationally and became their sole number one on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. The third single "30 Minutes" was released only in Europe, followed by a May 2003 cover of "How Soon Is Now?." That same month, Shapovalov was detained for unauthorized filming of their "Show Me Love" video in Moscow’s Red Square; despite limited official release, footage shot at various locations was used for the final video.

Also in May 2003, t.A.T.u. represented Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with "Ne ver, ne boysya," finishing third amid disputes surrounding Ireland’s use of a backup jury instead of public televoting. Initially, their label Universal Music Russia opposed their Eurovision participation, considering it more appropriate for emerging performers. Following Eurovision, t.A.T.u. appeared at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards, performing their popular tracks.

On 26 September 2003, a remix album titled Remixes was issued featuring Russian singles such as "Prostiye Dvizheniya" and "Ne ver, ne boysya." In October, they secured three World Music Awards for Best Pop Group, Best Dance Group, and Best Duo. November saw the release of a DVD compilation Screaming for More, which included music videos alongside behind-the-scenes footage.

The documentary Anatomy of t.A.T.u., directed by Vitaly Mansky, aired on Russian television in December 2003 revealing that much of the duo’s public persona was fabricated and that they were not actually lesbians. It also chronicled their promotional tour across the United States earlier that year.

2004–2006: Dangerous and Moving and Lyudi Invalidy

At the beginning of 2004, t.A.T.u. officially terminated their contract with Ivan Shapovalov and Neformat. Before this separation, the group's recording sessions for their second album with Shapovalov were featured in the STS reality program Podnebesnaya, which exposed underlying conflicts stemming from Shapovalov’s preference for generating controversy rather than prioritizing musical quality. Volkova openly criticized his methods, highlighting the duo’s artistic focus over sensationalism. Katina emphasized that their intent was to convey a message of empathy and acceptance, not to cultivate any particular image. Volkova intended to pursue recording sessions in the United States during spring 2004 but had to delay due to her pregnancy.

Volkova rejoined Katina and former collaborator Sergio Galoyan under the Universal Music International label to create new tracks. In August 2005, the singles "All About Us" and "Lyudi Invalidy" were released as the lead tracks for the English and Russian albums respectively. "All About Us" secured top ten chart positions across various European countries. The English-language album Dangerous and Moving was released on 11 October 2005, followed by the Russian-language Lyudi Invalidy on 19 October. The follow-up single, "Friend or Foe", featured bass contributions from Sting. The management team refreshed the touring band lineup and launched the Dangerous and Moving Tour to support both albums internationally.

On 25 March 2006, t.A.T.u. received the Best Group award at the first-ever TRL Awards. They returned to Russian reality television with t.A.T.u. Expedition on Muz-TV, documenting their album launch and the production of their third single "Gomenasai". This track represented a stylistic departure that elicited mixed reactions from fans. A concert held in Saint Petersburg on 28 April was filmed for a DVD release, which experienced multiple postponements.

On 30 August 2006, t.A.T.u. announced their exit from Universal/Interscope. In September, they issued The Best, a greatest hits collection that served as their final release with the label. The compilation's sole single, "Loves Me Not", received limited promotion across European markets despite having previously appeared on Dangerous and Moving.

On 21 November 2006, authorities in the Komi Republic initiated legal action against t.A.T.u. regarding "Lyudi Invalidy", citing concerns over language perceived as offensive toward people with disabilities. Katina clarified that the term was metaphorical, referring to ethical shortcomings rather than physical disabilities, and stressed their respect for disabled individuals by providing accommodations at concerts.

In 2006, politician Aleksey Mitrofanov proposed awarding t.A.T.u. with the Order of Friendship, but this was ultimately rejected by the State Duma Mitrofanov later wrote a novel inspired by the duo titled t.A.T.u. Come Back, which was adapted into the film You and I.

2007–2010: Vesyolye Ulybki, Waste Management and hiatus

Early in 2007, t.A.T.u. commenced work on their third Russian-language album along with its English counterpart in Germany. By 28 September 2007, all Russian-language recordings were completed. That same month, they released "Truth: Live in St. Petersburg," a concert DVD available exclusively in Japan, marking their first project following departure from Universal.

Towards the end of 2007, the lead single "Beliy Plaschik" was unveiled from their forthcoming Russian album initially titled Upravleniye Otbrosami ("Waste Management"), which was scheduled for release in June 2008. The second single "220" debuted on radio in April 2008; its music video premiered on YouTube in June. Both tracks were included on "Hyperion-Plate", t.A.T.u.'s inaugural EP released in May 2008, featuring multimedia content such as music files, videos, ringtones, and wallpapers.

Also in May 2008, t.A.T.u. attended the 61st Cannes Film Festival to present You and I, directed by Roland Joffé and inspired by Mitrofanov’s novel t.A.T.u. Come Back. The duo made cameo appearances in the film.

On 9 September 2008, the album's title was changed to Vesyolye Ulybki ("Happy Smiles"), reflecting Volkova’s and Katina’s sarcastic commentary on Russia’s music industry climate. The third single "You and I" premiered on Russian radio on 12 September.

The album was released globally via iTunes on 21 October 2008. To support its launch, t.A.T.u. starred in a short reality series broadcast on Russia.ru. On 28 November, they were honored with the Legend of MTV award at the MTV Russia Music Awards.

In March 2009, t.A.T.u. announced an indefinite pause to concentrate on solo endeavors. Nevertheless, they released "Snegopady", the fourth single from Vesyolye Ulybki, accompanied by a music video. They also performed at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, including a collaboration with the Russian Army Choir.

On 13 July 2009, "Snowfalls" was digitally launched worldwide as a single from their English album Waste Management, which had been postponed since 2008. The follow-up single "White Robe" premiered online through Coqueiro Verde Records and YouTube channels. The full album saw digital release globally on 15 December 2009 to generally positive critical reviews but modest commercial success—reportedly selling just over 1,000 copies in the US by January 2010. The third single "Sparks" was distributed in Brazil and uploaded to YouTube in April 2010.

Volkova publicly criticized Katina’s solo work as "silly," while Katina expressed support for Volkova’s solo projects via YouTube communications.

In July 2010, Katina confirmed that there were no immediate plans to reunite t.A.T.u., opting instead to focus on her solo career with scheduled performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco. She held her first significant solo concert in San Francisco in September of that year.

2011: Official Split

In late March 2011, the management of t.A.T.u. officially declared the duo's breakup after a two-year period of inactivity, attributing the decision to internal disagreements and both members’ aspirations to develop solo careers. They wrapped up their musical catalog with a double remix compilation of Waste Management and expressed gratitude to their supporters for twelve years of dedication.

Following the separation, each artist concentrated on individual endeavors. Katina launched her first solo single, "Never Forget," in August 2011, which achieved the top position on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart for one week. Meanwhile, Volkova pursued her own album, releasing singles "All Because of You" and "Didn't Wanna Do It," although these tracks did not gain notable chart success. Additionally, in 2012 she confirmed her role in the dark comedy film Zombie Holidays 3D.

2012–2021: Post-Breakup Relations and Disputes Between Volkova and Katina

On 2 October 2012, Cherrytree Records/Universal Russia announced a special edition reissue of t.A.T.u.'s album 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane to mark its 10th anniversary. This release featured refreshed artwork, an unreleased track titled "A Simple Motion," a remix by Fernando Garibay, and remastered versions of original songs. The album became available on 12 November 2012 and was accompanied by a handwritten message from both Katina and Volkova. On 11 December 2012, the duo briefly reunited as musical guests on The Voice of Romania, performing several of their classic hits.

In interviews following the re-release, Volkova revealed that they did not maintain regular contact, whereas Katina acknowledged their separate lives in different countries but denied any animosity between them. Katina expressed willingness to consider future reunions; Volkova was more hesitant but did not exclude the possibility of joint performances.

On 25 April 2013, t.A.T.u. held a private live concert in Russia—their first since 2008. Despite media rumors about a full reunion, both artists clarified that no comprehensive comeback was planned as they remained focused on solo projects. On 27 September 2013, they performed in Kyiv and appeared together in a Japanese Snickers commercial donning their signature schoolgirl costumes. Later that year, they also performed live in Tokyo and made brief concert and television appearances in Russia.

The duo took part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi alongside Denis Matsuev and Anna Netrebko. Their track "Not Gonna Get Us" was selected for international exposure despite Russia’s contentious stance on LGBT rights at the time.

After the Olympics, t.A.T.u. announced a new single titled "Lyubov v Kazhdom Mgnovenii" ("Love in Every Moment") featuring Russian rapper Ligalize and Canadian artist Mike Tompkins.

On 17 February 2014, Katina declared she would no longer collaborate with Volkova and that t.A.T.u. had disbanded once more. Volkova responded within days by denying a full reunion but confirmed ongoing joint projects and video shoots for the new single. Subsequent remarks acknowledged continued cooperation despite personal conflicts.

The music video for "Love in Every Moment" premiered on 6 April 2014; it was filmed separately according to Katina’s preference amid persistent tensions between the two. This song was part of the "A Sight of Cupid" initiative showcased at the Cannes Film Festival on 22 May 2014, where both artists gave separate interviews. Volkova suggested this would be their final collaboration.

Despite ongoing disputes, fans circulated a "#tATuComeback" petition hoping for reconciliation and a complete reunion.

On 19 May 2016, Katina and Volkova made a public appearance together at the 25th anniversary celebration of children’s group Neposedy, performing "Nas Ne Dogonyat." However, they maintained emotional distance throughout the event.

On 8 June 2021, a documentary titled "ТАТУ: 20 лет спустя! Главная российская группа в мире" premiered on journalist Ksenia Sobchak’s YouTube channel. It explored t.A.T.u.’s origins, controversies, and post-group careers through separate interviews with Katina and Volkova due to ongoing tensions. The documentary quickly became the most viewed Russian video on YouTube within one day of its release.

2022–present: Stage Comeback

Towards the end of 2021, Katina and Volkova revealed plans for t.A.T.u. to return in 2022 with an official tribute concert celebrating the duo. Nevertheless, persistent disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event’s cancellation. Their first reunion performance took place in September 2022 at Minsk's Dinamo Stadium during the Ovion Show, marking their initial appearance together since their separation. This was succeeded by a show in May 2023 at Saint Petersburg's Gazprom Stadium.

In July 2025, t.A.T.u. reunited once more to perform at the Mriya Resort located in Yalta, Crimea. Katina confirmed that previous disputes with Volkova had been resolved and that the duo was planning future endeavors. Shortly thereafter, Interscope Records issued a deluxe version of Dangerous and Moving commemorating its twentieth anniversary, featuring 24 tracks, including several songs performed in Russian. This release was supported by two sold-out concerts in Moscow during October and a six-date tour across Mexico scheduled for December.

On October 24, 2025, the compilation V Podnebesnoy was launched, containing tracks recorded in 2004 with their former producer Ivan Shapovalov that had never been officially published before. Some of these songs had leaked earlier or were re-recorded for their second Russian-language album Lyudi Invalidy. Katina and Volkova stated they had no involvement with this release; meanwhile, Russian media highlighted that Shapovalov retains ownership rights over these recordings.

Public Perception

Following the debut of "All the Things She Said," the group encountered significant criticism. In his review of 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine described t.A.T.u. as an "exceptionally tawdry gimmick." In 2003, some UK television presenters campaigned to ban the music video worldwide. Although reports suggested that the BBC prohibited its broadcast on pre-watershed episodes of Top of the Pops, the BBC denied these claims, explaining they had superior footage to air instead.

Prior to recording their third album Dangerous and Moving, Volkova’s pregnancy led to accusations that the duo’s lesbian image was fabricated, despite their previous denials of a romantic relationship. On May 17, 2007, t.A.T.u. addressed their LGBTQ+ fanbase, reaffirming their support for "love without boundaries." Shortly after, on May 26, they participated in the Moscow Gay Pride parade.

t.A.T.u. appeared twice on Forbes Russia’s Top 50 Richest Celebrities list—ranking sixth in 2006 with estimated earnings of $3.3 million and thirty-sixth in 2007 with $1.4 million. The duo received a Special Award from FHM for Top 100 Sexiest Women; Katina and Volkova were ranked fifty-three and fifteen respectively on Maxim Russia’s Top 100 Sexiest Women list and also graced the cover of Maxim.

Concert Cancellations Controversy

Between 2002 and 2003, t.A.T.u. faced backlash due to multiple cancellations of concerts and tours worldwide. In March 2003, they announced dates for their "Show Me Love Promo Tour" across the UK but withdrew days later citing poor ticket sales. According to BBC News, venues in London and Manchester with capacities near 10,000 experienced low sales figures. Their label Interscope expressed confusion over these abrupt cancellations.

In May 2003, promoters EEM Group filed a £300,000 lawsuit against t.A.T.u.’s management alleging "unachievable obstacles" that hampered ticket sales. Claims attributing cancellations to Volkova’s illness were dismissed due to insufficient proof. The group also cancelled their promotional tour across Asia—including Japan and China—citing Volkova’s urgent surgery as the reason. That same month, they postponed a German promo tour after receiving a late invitation to perform at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.

In June, cancelling their Riga concert resulted in a $180,000 lawsuit from Pasadena Group Promotion. Later that month during a promotional visit to Japan involving a film shoot and an appearance on Music Station, they abruptly left mid-broadcast and cancelled the following day’s concert. This led TV Asahi to sue Universal Music KK (their Japanese label) and ban future appearances by the duo. Katina and Volkova later disclosed that many cancellations were orchestrated by manager Shapovalov as a strategy to generate "negative press," which contributed to his eventual dismissal.

While promoting Dangerous and Moving, t.A.T.u. cancelled shows in Chile due to poor ticket sales and withdrawal of sponsorships. A month later, they abruptly called off their tour citing inadequate stage preparation alongside low ticket demand.

Music Station controversy

On June 27, 2003, t.A.T.u. appeared on Japanese television for the first time during a live broadcast of Music Station. However, they abruptly exited the show after receiving a call from producer Shapovalov, who prohibited their performance. Shapovalov expressed concerns regarding the revealing costumes supplied by TV Asahi and the lack of prior information about the program's format. Both he and the duo anticipated being the exclusive performers and were uncomfortable sharing the stage with other Japanese artists.

Universal Music KK, their label in Japan, issued an apology, yet Shapovalov and t.A.T.u. declined to accept it. They also withdrew from a scheduled concert in Japan that same month. The Japanese press condemned their conduct as disrespectful. TV Asahi, already displeased due to an earlier cancellation in April despite promotional advertisements, filed a complaint against Universal Music KK and threatened to prohibit affiliated artists from appearing on Music Station. In July 2003, they initiated legal action against Universal for damages and barred t.A.T.u. from future participation. Tamori, the show's host and comedian, later described this refusal to perform as the most unforgettable event in his 34 years of hosting.

In December 2003, t.A.T.u.'s two-day concert at Tokyo Dome attracted only 25,059 attendees in a venue with a capacity of 50,000. Their 2006 single "Gomenasai," intended as an apology, did not achieve success in Japan. During a 2013 interview with The Asahi Shimbun, Katina and Volkova disclosed that Shapovalov had deliberately orchestrated the Music Station incident to provoke controversy and attract media attention—an approach they did not fully comprehend at the time. While this tactic elevated their reputation in Russia and Europe, it negatively impacted their standing in Japan, where cultural values emphasize punctuality and reliability.

They publicly expressed remorse and issued apologies. Subsequently, public sentiment improved, resulting in a 2013 appearance in a Snickers commercial and renewed interest within Japan, including requests for their return to Music Station.

Legacy

"All the Things She Said" achieved placement at number 452 on Blender magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" and ranked eighth on AOL's Top 100 Pop Songs of the Decade. It was also recognized among the best singles of 2003 by The New Zealand Herald and included in About.com's Top 100 Pop Songs of 2003 as well as its Top 10 Contemporary Girl Group Songs.

In 2008, t.A.T.u. was honored with the MTV Legend award by MTV Russia, cementing their position as Russia's most successful musical export. Katina informed Billboard Magazine that their legacy is characterized by compelling music combined with themes of freedom and provocative imagery. Individually, both members were named "Woman of the Year" by GQ's Person of the Year Awards in 2006.

Productions and T.A. Music

Originally created under Shapovalov’s production company Neformat, which dissolved in 2004 following t.A.T.u.’s separation from him. From 2005 onward, production has been managed by Moscow-based T.A. Music, comprising members Katina, Volkova, Boris Renski, Dasha Mischenko, and Andrey Artischev. After terminating their contract with Universal Music in 2006, T.A. Music assumed role as their record label, primarily active within Russia. This label released Vesyolye Ulybki internationally through iTunes and also managed Lena Katina’s solo endeavors for some time.

Members

• Lena Katina – vocals (1999–2011)
• Julia Volkova – vocals (1999–2011)

Supporting musicians

• Sven Martin – keyboards, programming, musical director (2002–2011)
• Troy MacCubbin – guitars (2002–2010)
• Matthew Venslauskas – guitars (2010–2011)
• Roman Ratej – drums (2003–2006)
• Steve "Boomstick" Wilson – drums (2006–2011)
• Domen Vajevec – bass, keyboard (2006–2011)

Discography

Main article: t.A.T.u. discography

• 200 Po Vstrechnoy (2001)
• 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002)
• Dangerous and Moving (2005)
• Lyudi Invalidy (2005)
• Vesyolye Ulybki (2008)
• Waste Management (2009)

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2003	Anatomy of t.A.T.u.	Themselves	Television documentary
2004	t.A.T.u. v Podnebesnoy	Themselves	Television series
2006	t.A.T.u. Expedition	Themselves	Television series
2008	You and I	Cameo appearance

Tours

• 200 Po Vstrechnoy Tour (2001–2002)
• Show Me Love Tour (2003)
• Dangerous and Moving Tour (2005–2006)
• Comeback World Tour (2025-2026)

2025
Date	City	Country	Venue
October 24	Moscow	Russia	TAU
October 25
December 1	Mexico City	Mexico	La Maraka
December 2
December 3
December 4
December 5	Monterrey		Foro Urbano
December 6	Guadalajara		Teatro Estudio Cavaret
2026
Date	City	Country	Venue
January 4	St. Petersburg	Russia	Sound
January 5	Moscow		Atmosphere

See also

• Pop music in Russia
• List of all-female bands