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# T.A.T.u.
t.A.T.u. (Russian: Тату, pronounced [tɐˈtu] ⓘ, lit. 'tattoo') are a Russian pop duo consisting of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. The two started out as part of the children's musical group Neposedy before being managed by producer and director Ivan Shapovalov and signing with Russian record label Neformat. t.A.T.u.'s debut album 200 Po Vstrechnoy (2001) was a commercial success in Eastern Europe, and that resulted in the duo signing with Interscope Records to release its English-language counterpart, 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002). The album was certified platinum by the IFPI for one million copies sold in Europe and became the first album by a foreign group to reach number one in Japan. It was also certified gold in the United States and included the international hits "All the Things She Said" and "Not Gonna Get Us". The duo represented Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Ne ver, ne boysya", finishing third. t.A.T.u. is one of the few Russian performers who have achieved international success along with Alla Pugacheva and Anna Netrebko.
t.A.T.u. released their second international album, Dangerous and Moving, alongside its Russian equivalent, Lyudi Invalidy, in 2005, with the group reaching moderate success after parting ways with Shapovalov. The former was promoted with the international hit "All About Us". The duo ventured into other projects, such as creating their own production company T.A. Music and promoting the film inspired by their story, You and I (2008). Their last pair of albums, Vesyolye Ulybki and Waste Management, followed between 2008 and 2009, respectively. t.A.T.u. officially broke up in 2011, with Katina and Volkova pursuing solo careers. They reunited to perform at special occasions, such as the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, in subsequent years.

## History

### 1999: Formation
Before production of t.A.T.u. began, the pair were in a group named Neposedi. Both Lena Katina and Julia Volkova were part of the band, along with members Sergey Lazarev and Vlad Topalov. Katina was also in a band named "Avenue" between 1994 and 1997. It was reported that Volkova was banned from being in Neposedi, amid claims she was misbehaving and disrupting other members in the group, along with being accused of smoking, swearing and drinking. However, Neposedi denied the claims and said that Volkova aged out of the group.
t.A.T.u. were formed in 1999 by Ivan Shapovalov and his friend/business partner Alexander Voitinskiy, who developed plans to create a musical project in Russia. With this idea in mind, Shapovalov and Voitinskiy organized auditions in Moscow in early 1999 for teenage female vocalists. By the end of auditioning, the partners narrowed their search down to ten girls, including the members that finally became t.A.T.u., Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. Katina and Volkova knew each other before the auditions.  Both girls stood out among the others because of their appearance and vocal experience, but the producers decided to start with 14-year-old Katina, who sang "It Must Have Been Love" by Roxette. Katina began recording demos, including "Yugoslavia", a protest song about NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. After the demos were cut, Shapovalov insisted that another girl be added to the project. Thus, in late 1999, 14-year-old Julia Volkova was added to the group to complete the duo. She also started recording not long after Katina's "Yugoslavia" demo was finished.
According to Katina, Shapovalov was inspired to create the duo after the release of the Swedish film Show Me Love which focused on the romance between two school girls. After completing the duo, the producers decided on the name "Тату" (Tatu). Sounding like the English word "tattoo", it is also a shortened version of the Russian phrase "Та  любит ту" (ta lyubit tu), meaning "This [girl] loves that [girl]". For the release of their first English-language album, they decided to go by t.A.T.u., using uppercase letters and periods to distinguish themselves from an already existing Australian band, Tatu.

### 2000–2001:200 Po Vstrechnoy
Over the next year, Katina and Volkova recorded songs with their producers. Voitinskij left the project, and Shapovalov signed Elena Kiper as co-producer and co-writer for their debut album.
The first single was completed in 2000, titled "Ya Soshla S Uma" (later released in English as "All the Things She Said"). The song describes the turmoil in a girl's soul because she is in love with another girl, but is afraid, as society frowns upon this. She asks her parents for forgiveness. Elena Kiper has been credited with the song, explaining that the idea came to her when she fell asleep at her dentist's office and had a dream in which she kissed another woman. She woke up saying out loud, "Я сошла с ума!" (Ya soshla s uma, meaning "I've lost my mind"). Ivan Shapovalov is said to have added the second phrase of the chorus, "Мне нужна она" (Mne nuzhna ona, meaning "I need her").
Their first album, 200 Po Vstrechnoy was released on 21 May 2001. Their second single, "Nas Ne Dogonyat", which was only released in music video form rather than as an official CD single, although a promotional conjoined "Ya Soshla s Uma/Nas Ne Dagonyat" was released in Poland. This was followed by the third single "30 Minut", only available as a music video. The album was eventually released in Japan, where it was certified gold by RIAJ. The group went on tour in 2001, where their routines were described as "precise" and featured routines where the girls had to strip. The tour appeared in countries including Germany, Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Israel.

### 2002–2003:200 km/h in the Wrong Laneand Eurovision
The American music executive Jimmy Iovine asked the English producer Trevor Horn to create English-language versions of Tatu's songs. Horn wrote new lyrics for "All the Things She Said" and "Not Gonna Get Us" and coached t.A.T.u. to sing them in English. He also rerecorded the instruments, as he did not have access to the original multitracks. He described Shapovalov as "awful" and removed him from the sessions after he made the girls cry. Horn said later: "There's no shortcut, you can't bully people." The group was "controlled" by Shapovalov and it was reported that he was "strict" during the process of making the album.
The English version of the album was released in October 2002 as 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane. The first single from the album was "All the Things She Said" which was released in late summer 2002. The song peaked at the top spot in Australia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The music video caused controversy worldwide, due to the members, who were both 15 at the time of the video's production, kissing behind a fence. Some believed the video promoted lesbianism and pedophilia and some branded the group's music as "paedophilic pop".
The group announced their "Show Me Love Tour", which was to commence in the United Kingdom. However, both of their proposed concerts in the UK were cancelled due to poor ticket sales. In July 2002, Blender praised the group by saying "We have seen the future of rock & roll ... to say you've never seen or heard anything quite like it is a colossal understatement." t.A.T.u. were then heralded by The Face magazine as "The hottest popstars in the world right now."
On 25 February 2003 the women mocked NBC's insistence that they neither kiss nor comment on the Iraq war by performing "All the Things She Said" in white "T-shirts that bore the Russian language message Khuy Voyne! (Fuck the war!) across the front, and by blocking their faces with their hands as they kissed during a break in their performance."
The "Fuck the War!" T-shirts were banned on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show and replaced with T-shirts that said "Censored". They still wrote the term on Jimmy Kimmel's hand.
The next single "Not Gonna Get Us" was released in early 2003. Though not as popular as their debut single, it managed to have success in most record charts. The group then released their third single "30 Minutes", which premiered only in Europe. A music video followed after the release. The fourth single, "How Soon Is Now?", was a cover of the song by the Smiths  and came out in May 2003. The same month, Shapovalov was arrested after arranging filming for the group's music video "Show Me Love" in Moscow's Red Square despite his application for filming being refused. Shapovalov also attempted to film near London's Big Ben and various other locations. The footage that was recorded was later used for a music video for the song "Show Me Love", despite the song not being released in any country other than Poland.
Also in May 2003, t.A.T.u. represented Russia at Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Ne ver, ne boysya", where they placed third. After the contest, Russia's Channel One complained that Irish broadcaster RTÉ (Ireland's national television broadcaster) had used a back-up jury, and that it had cost them victory; RTÉ did not use the televoting results after some network problems. A statement by Channel One suggested that there were grounds to believe that the contest results could be much different for Russia. RTÉ responded by publishing the unused results of the Irish televote, which showed that had the jury not been used, Turkey, whose entry was also overlooked by the Irish Jury, would still have won. The group's record label, Universal Music Russia, were originally against the group's participation saying that the Eurovision contest was for "young artists" and said "artists of Tatu's level will not get much out of the participation in it, We [Universal] would much rather prefer the group to work on their new album, and not to participate in contests for rising stars [...]"
The same month, the group postponed their German promo tour due to a late invitation to the 2003 MTV Movie Awards, where they performed. In June, they also cancelled their Riga concert, which led to a lawsuit from Pasadena Group Promotion, asking for $180,000 in damages. At the end of June 2003, t.A.T.u. embarked on a promotional tour in Japan involving a film shoot of a promotional video, an appearance on the Japanese music program Music Station, and a concert. The film shoot application was rejected by the Japanese police due to traffic concerns. Meanwhile, t.A.T.u. had gained widespread negative media coverage in Japan after abruptly leaving Music Station while the show was in mid-broadcast and cancelling their concert on the following day. Their appearance on Music Station led the show's broadcasting station, TV Asahi, to sue Universal Music KK, their Japanese label, and ban future appearances on the show.
On 26 September 2003, the group released a remix compilation, titled Remixes. In November 2003, the CD was released in Russia, with two new tracks and videos. The two new tracks were "Prostiye Dvizheniya", a controversial single that came out in Russia in summer 2002,
and "Ne ver, ne boysya", their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. The DVD compilation Screaming for More was released on 24 November 2003, featuring music videos and behind-the-scenes. Anatomy of t.A.T.u. aired on Russian television on 12 December 2003. The documentary revealed that the girls were not lesbians and chronicled the group as they took part in Eurovision earlier in the year.

### 2004–2006:Dangerous and MovingandLyudi Invalidy
In early 2004, t.A.T.u. legally broke their contract with Ivan Shapovalov and Neformat. In the months before the split, t.A.T.u. and Shapovalov were being filmed for a reality show on STS in Russia titled Podnebesnaya. The show followed the group as they were recording their second album, to little success, with their producer Ivan Shapovalov. The documentary aired on Russian television from January to March 2004.
There were many rumors around the split until the show aired, which depicted the group leaving due to a lack of interest and care from their producer. They also claimed the quality of the music being produced was too low, and that Shapovalov was only interested in creating scandals. Volkova stated, "He [Ivan] spends his time thinking up scandals instead of planning our artistic work. I'm sure our fans would rather hear new songs and new albums than new scandals." Katina then stated, "He made us out to BE lesbians when we were just singing FOR lesbians. We wanted people to understand them and not judge them. That they are as free as anyone else." In one of the final episodes, Volkova mentioned returning to the United States in spring of 2004 to record with new producers. However, she became pregnant soon thereafter, and recording was delayed.
Volkova soon joined Katina and previous producer Sergio Galoyan in the studio. The group was backed by their record label, Universal Music International, in finding adequate songs and production to release a new album. In August 2005, "All About Us" and "Lyudi Invalidy" were announced to be the first singles from the English and Russian albums, respectively. "All About Us" was a worldwide hit, charting in the top ten in the majority of European charts. The group released their second English album on 5 October 2005 titled Dangerous and Moving. Its Russian counterpart was released on 19 October, titled Lyudi Invalidy. The second single was "Friend or Foe". Soon after the video was released, the group's management replaced drummer Roman Ratej with Steve "Boomstick" Wilson, and appointed a new bassist, Domen Vajevec. On 25 March 2006, t.A.T.u. received the award for Best Group at the first edition of the TRL Awards.
On 17 April 2006, t.A.T.u. returned to reality TV in Russia with t.A.T.u. Expedition, which was broadcast on the Russian music channel Muz TV. It chronicled the release of their second album, and the recording of the video for their third single, "Gomenasai", which was released during the airing of the show. The video, as well as the actual song, is quite a departure from t.A.T.u.'s usual style and leaves many of their fans cold. t.A.T.u. performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia on 28 April kicking off their Dangerous and Moving Tour. On 30 August 2006, the official website announced that the girls had left their record company, Universal/Interscope.
On 21 November 2006, the region of the Komi Republic in Russia filed a lawsuit against t.A.T.u. over the album and song "Lyudi Invalidy" due to the title translating to "disabled people". Leonid Vakuev, a human rights representative for the Komi Republic, interpreted the song as being directed towards disabled people and cited words written in the booklet for the album, which said: "[Lyudi Invalidy] do not know what it means to be a human being. They are fakes inside the human form. They do not live, but — function". Katina said, "Of course, we meant moral invalids, people who do not have [a] soul and human feelings." When asked if they had anything against disabled people, she stated that she finds it offensive to refer to people by that term, and added, "We take pictures together and make sure they have priority seats [at concerts]."
In 2006, Russian politician Aleksey Mitrofanov proposed t.A.T.u. to be awarded the Order of Friendship, but the State Duma vetoed his idea. Mitrofanov came to write a novel inspired by the duo, t.A.T.u. Come Back (Russian: ТАТУ КАМ БЭК), which was also adapted into the film You and I.

### 2007–2010:Vesyolye UlybkiandWaste Management
On 17 May 2007, t.A.T.u. issued a statement directed to their gay fans: "When t.A.T.u.'s second album came out, many of our fans of alternative sexual orientation thought that we lied and betrayed them. This is not true! We’ve never done that and we’ve always advocated love without boundaries." On 26 May, they flew out to Moscow to take part in the Moscow Gay Pride demonstration.
On 12 September 2007, the group released the concert DVD "Truth". It was the group's first release since leaving Universal. In late 2007, "Белый Плащик" ("Beliy Plaschik"), the lead single from their upcoming Russian-language album, was released. The project was then known as "Управление Отбросами" (Upravleniye Otbrosami), which translates to "Waste Management". The second single, "220" ("Двести Двадцать", Dvesti Dvadtsat'), made its radio premiere in April 2008, and the music video was released on their official YouTube channel on 5 June 2008. "Beliy Plaschik" and "220" were the main attractions on a special release known as "Hyperion-Plate", the first-ever EP from the duo. The EP was released on 8 May 2008 and featured multimedia content including music, video, ringtones and wallpapers.
At the time of the "Hyperion-Plate" release, Upravleniye Otbrosami was scheduled to hit the stores in June 2008. The EP featured a poster which advertised that date, as well as a coupon redeemable for a discount on the album that expired on 30 June 2008. However, the release schedule abruptly stalled on 5 June 2008, when t.A.T.u.'s manager Boris Renski announced that Julia Volkova was seriously ill. Volkova's illness forced the cancellation of a concert in Santa Clara, CA, and the singer was not seen in public until the wedding of producer Sergey Konov on 5 July 2008. The duo returned to work in late August, when it was reported that t.A.T.u. would be the face of fashion designer Marc Jacobs's fall and winter campaigns in Russia.
On 9 September 2008, a press release appeared on the duo's official website that declared that the forthcoming album would be titled "Веселые Улыбки", Vesyolye Ulybki ("Happy Smiles") instead of Upravleniye Otbrosami ("Waste Management"). The name change reflected sarcastic comments about the state of the Russian music business made by Volkova and Katina in an interview with Moscow's Time Out Magazine. The press release also provided the track list of the album and an early version of its cover art, but still no confirmed release date was given. On 12 September, the album's third single, "You and I" made its debut on Love Radio. The press release disappeared from the site shortly afterward, only to re-appear on 8 October with a change made to the cover art --- where there was once the face of a smiling astronaut on the original design, a black square now appeared.
On 15 October, t.A.T.u.'s website announced that Vesyolye Ulybki would be released on 21 October 2008, beginning with a special event at two Soyuz record stores in Moscow where fans could meet the girls and get their autographs. The album also went on pre-sale at the official t.A.T.u. web shop on 18 October, with a small number of buyers receiving a limited-edition postcard set as a prize. The songs were also made available internationally through the iTunes digital music store. Upon its release, it became apparent that the album essentially had two covers --- the astronaut cover was a slipcase, while the original design used for "Upravleniye Otbrosami" appeared inside. The black square from the press release had been hiding a Mars scene.
On 23 October, t.A.T.u. appeared on Vladimir Polupanov's "The 7 Premieres" to promote their new album. They were also the subjects of an ongoing mini-reality series on the website Russia.ru. On 28 November t.A.T.u. were awarded the Legend of MTV at the MTV Russia Music Awards 2008.
In March 2009, a statement was released on the duo's site and MySpace stating that the duo will no longer be a "full-time" project and that Katina and Volkova were working on solo projects. They also mentioned that the third video will be released on 17 April on MTV Russia. The album's single "Snegopady" was eventually released, along with its music video.
The girls performed a special concert at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 on 10 May. They were also included as an interval act on the 12th at the first semifinals, performing Not Gonna Get Us with the Russian Army Choir.
On 13 July, the group released their single "Snowfalls", taken from the English version of the album, Waste Management. The song was released digitally worldwide, along with its music video. The group's second single for the album, "White Robe", was released by Coqueiro Verde Records online and premiered on t.A.T.u.'s YouTube account. t.A.T.u.'s official website announced that the video was up for voting on MTV Brazil on 10 November 2009. On 3 December, the "White Robe" video reached the number one position on MTV Brazil. It was announced via Twitter that Coqueiro Verde Records would release the album in Brazil on 25 January 2010. The album was eventually released worldwide digitally, and received favorable reception from critics. The album did not sell very well and was reported to have only sold over 1000 copies in the United States, as of January 2010.
The third single off the album was "Sparks", which was the English version of "220". It was released in Brazil and on t.A.T.u.'s official YouTube account on 13 April 2010. On 31 March 2010, a contest was to be launched in which fans will be able to remix their favorite t.A.T.u. songs from the new album. The winning mixes would be included on an upcoming remix album.
Volkova made headlines in Russia with an interview where she expressed her opinion on Katina's solo career, "She has the right to [sing t.A.T.u. songs], but it's so stupid, absolutely stupid. If you do a solo career, it means that you do your own work. Her stuff, that she makes, I think, is silly and very soon her career will wither away and disappear." Katina responded to this interview via her YouTube Page, "I saw Julia's interview. Of course I got upset. But I want to tell everybody that I have a completely opposite attitude towards the whole situation, Julia's project included. I believe she's a very talented person and I sincerely hope that she'll be successful in all the things she plans."
In July, Katina made an appearance on a radio station where she was asked about the future of the duo. She responded by saying, "Life has changed a lot. Julia and I are working on our projects now. I, for one, will be traveling to Los Angeles this Saturday, where I will keep working on my album. And I'm preparing a big show in San Francisco in September, so now we are not planning to reform t.A.T.u., certainly not in the near future. Now we really want to concentrate only on our own projects." Lena Katina and her full band performed her first live major solo show in San Francisco on 17 September 2010.

### 2011: Disbandment
At the end of March 2011, t.A.T.u. management released a press release on their official website declaring t.A.T.u. over. Due to conflicts between the two women, and them both wanting to pursue solo careers, the duo was officially announced as disbanded. They finalised the duo's discography with a double remix album for Waste Management. The management thanked fans for their loyalty over the prior twelve years of the duo's history.
After the split, the group decided to focus on their solo careers, both musically and in film. In August 2011, Katina revealed her debut solo single "Never Forget" which eventually charted at number one on the US Hot Dance Club Songs for a single week. Volkova was also working on her studio album and released two singles; "All Because of You" and "Didn't Wanna Do It", but failed to generate interest on the music charts. The following year she confirmed she would be starring in the dark comedy zombie film 9 1/2 Zombies.

### 2012–2021: Aftermath with Volkova and Katina arguments
On 2 October 2012, Cherrytree Records/Universal Russia announced that they would be issuing a special re-release of t.A.T.u's 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane. The "10th Year Anniversary Edition" featured all new artwork, a never-before-released song from the 2002 sessions, "A Simple Motion", a brand new remix of "All the Things She Said" from producer Fernando Garibay, in addition to newly mastered songs. On 24 October 2012, Cherrytree Records released the official track listing for the album; it was a note addressed to fans handwritten and signed by Katina and Volkova themselves. The album was released on 12 November 2012.
On 11 December 2012, the duo reunited as musical guests on The Voice of Romania. It was their first performance together in three years. The duo t.A.T.u performed "All About Us" and "All the Things She Said" during the show. They also appeared in radio and on another television show before.
After the re-release, the group were interviewed by Bradley Stern on MuuMuse, and was asked about a reunion and relationship together. Volkova stated "We don't keep in touch", while Katina stated "Only when we see each other. We have very different lives in different countries now. We are not in a fight though." As for a reunion, Katina said "I believe that there is always a chance for anything in this life. Maybe…." Volkova stated that, while she is not "ready for it", she said "But this won't stop us from reuniting for joint performances. We’ll see what happens!"
On 25 April 2013, the group performed one private live show at a Russian VIP Club. It was their first concert as a duo since 2008. Despite media reports suggesting a permanent reunion of t.A.T.u., both members later clarified that there are no plans for a full-scale comeback. Volkova told an interviewer that they were not reuniting after all. Katina also stated that her solo career was the number one goal at that time and if t.A.T.u. was going to reunite, it would only be for small things like commercials and concerts.
On 27 September 2013, t.A.T.u. performed a concert in Kyiv, Ukraine. Shortly thereafter they wore their schoolgirls outfits from their first album again for a Snickers Japanese advertisement. Whilst in Japan they also performed "All the Things She Said" live in Tokyo. They also briefly reunited for a series of short concerts and television appearances in Russia between October and December 2013.
The duo performed before the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Sochi, along with piano virtuoso Denis Matsuev and opera soprano Anna Netrebko, who also performed the Olympic anthem.  Media reports expressed confusion at this performance, given that there is a lack of LGBT rights in Russia, especially since the much politicized Russian law banning gay propaganda aimed at minors that is being used to promote family values. The ceremony's director, Konstantin Ernst, said t.A.T.u.'s "Not Gonna Get Us" was chosen because it's one of the few Russian pop songs that international viewers might recognize.
Shortly after performing at the Olympics, the group announced a new single, "Lyubov v Kazhdom Mgnovenii" ("Love in Every Moment"). The song features Russian rapper Ligalize and Canadian musician Mike Tompkins.
On 17 February 2014, Katina posted a video message on her official YouTube channel stating that she would no longer be working with Volkova and that t.A.T.u. was once again no longer a group. However, on 20 February, Volkova posted a video message saying that there is "no big reunion" but t.A.T.u. were having "joint projects". She also criticized Katina's "meaning" behind the video and confirmed that they would be shooting the video for the new single. On 5 March 2014, Volkova posted another video message on her official YouTube channel in response to Katina's video. She stated that despite "reasons of severe trepidation on the part of Lena about [Volkova] and [her] behavior," collaboration between the two was possible, referring to the release of their new single as well as their music video.
On 6 April 2014, the music video to "Love in Every Moment" was released to the Cornetto Ru page on YouTube, in which Katina and Volkova filmed their scenes apart. Towards the end of the video, Volkova is shown interacting with a body double of Katina, with the latter's face obscured.  The song is part of the "A Sight of Cupid" project which contains several short films about love. In the short film "Together Apart" the duo were portrayed as cupids. On 22 May 2014, both singers introduced the film at the Cannes Film Festival. Due to their conflict and in keeping with Katina's wishes to not interact with Volkova, both singers had separate interviews with reporters. Volkova announced during an interview with the Italian press that the film would be the last collaborative work between her and Katina. Despite tensions, a petition dubbed "#tATuComeback" was circulated throughout popular social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, in the hopes that the former duo would resolve their conflicts and return with their long-awaited comeback as they had originally planned.
On 19 May 2016, the duo met publicly again at the 25th anniversary celebration of the children's musical group Neposedy, which both were a part of before the formation of t.A.T.u. There, together with the children, Katina and Volkova unexpectedly performed "Nas Ne Dogonyat" ("Not Gonna Get Us"). However, the artists—appearing distant and detached on stage—maintained a noticeable physical and emotional separation, seemingly ignoring each other throughout the event.
On 8 June 2021, a lengthy interview and documentary about t.A.T.u.'s story titled "ТАТУ: 20 лет спустя! Главная российская группа в мире" was published on YouTube on journalist Ksenia Sobchak's channel. The documentary discussed the formation of the group, its past controversies and Katina's and Volkova's personal and career developments after t.A.T.u. It also included interviews of former t.A.T.u. producer Ivan Shapovalov and Lena Katina's mother. Katina and Volkova were interviewed separately, as Katina rejected a common interview. The interview/documentary was the most trending video on Russian YouTube the day after it was published.

### 2022–present: Return to the stage
Katina announced that t.A.T.u. would return to the stage in 2022. They had participated in the t.A.T.u. tribute concert which was originally supposed to be in 2021. However, due to persistent issues with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they decided to postpone until spring 2022. In September 2022, Katina and Volkova performed together under the name t.A.T.u. at the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk as part of the Ovion Show event. This was followed by another performance at a sporting event at the Gazprom Stadium in Saint-Petersburg in May 2023. In July 2025, they reunited again to perform at the Mriya Resort in Yalta, Crimea, which is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine.

## Artistry and controversies

### Public image
Throughout their career, the group received criticism, particularly after the release of "All the Things She Said". In his AllMusic review of 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane, Stephen Thomas Erlewine labelled the band as an "exceptionally tawdry gimmick". In 2003, after the release of their video of "All the Things She Said", some UK presenters campaigned to ban the video worldwide. Despite subsequent reports that the BBC had banned the video from their pre-watershed programme Top of the Pops, the BBC quickly denied the ban, stating only that they had better footage to show.
Just before the recording of their third studio album Dangerous and Moving, it was announced that Volkova was pregnant. This led to critics accusing the girls of being "fake" lesbians, although Katina and Volkova had said in the past they were not "together" or "in a relationship".
The group have appeared on Forbes's Top 50 Richest Stars of Russia twice, ranking sixth in 2006, with an estimated income of $3.3 million, and thirty-sixth in 2007, with an income of $1.4 million. The group received the FHM Special Award for being the Top 100 Sexiest Woman. Both Katina and Volkova have been ranked on Maxim Russia's Top 100 Sexiest Girls, with Katina at fifty-three and Volkova at fifteen. The group also appeared on the cover of Maxim.

### Cancellations of concerts controversy
Between the years of 2002 and 2004, t.A.T.u. caused controversy for cancelling several concerts and tours around the world. In March 2003, the group announced dates for their "Show Me Love Promo Tour" in the United Kingdom. However the next month, just days before they were due to perform, the group dropped the dates and did not perform at the concert, due to poor ticket sales. BBC News stated that only a fraction of the tickets were sold for the concert and said the stadiums (held in London and Manchester) had capacities of around 10,000. A spokesman from their label, Interscope, did not understand why the cancellation took place.
In May 2003, t.A.T.u.'s management were sued by the promoters EEM Group for the cancellations of the concerts. EEM sued their management for £300,000, claiming they put "unachievable and numerous obstacles" in the way of ticket sales for the shows. They also claimed that Volkova's illness was a reason for the cancellation; however, due to the lack of evidence, the lawsuit was discarded. After the lawsuit, the group also cancelled their Asian promo tour for Japan and China, due to Volkova's sickness, stating that she needed urgent surgery. The same month, the group postponed their German Promo tour, due to a late invitation to the 2003 MTV Movie Awards, where they performed. The following month they also cancelled their Riga concert, which led to a lawsuit from Pasadena Group Promotion, asking $180,000 in damages, as they did not receive any official letters regarding the cancellation.
While promoting their studio album Dangerous and Moving, the group cancelled their appearances in Chile due to poor ticket sales and the withdrawal of one of the Chilean sponsors. One month later, the group cancelled their tour at the last minute, due to inadequate stage preparation and poor ticket sales. In September 2009, several dates in Russia were cancelled due to the 22 July Tupolev Tu-154 plane crash.

#### Music Stationincident
On 27 June 2003, t.A.T.u. made their first appearance on Japanese television through the live music program Music Station as part of their promotional tour, but they abruptly left the show mid-air after the opening credits, following a phone call from Shapovalov to t.A.T.u. informing them his refusal to allow their performance. On 28 June 2003, Shapovalov and t.A.T.u. held a press conference, where Shapovalov had reportedly felt that the outfits that TV Asahi, the broadcasting station of Music Station, had provided for t.A.T.u were too revealing, and he was concerned for their privacy. In addition, he was concerned about the "lack of communication" about the show's format. Shapovalov and t.A.T.u. initially had believed that t.A.T.u. would be the only performer on the episode and felt uncomfortable sharing their air time with other Japanese artists.
Universal Music KK, t.A.T.u.'s Japanese label, issued an apology; Shapovalov and t.A.T.u., on the other hand, refused to apologize. t.A.T.u. also cancelled a Japanese concert in the same month. Japanese media heavily criticized t.A.T.u. over the incident, as well as their behavior during the press conference, which they perceived as disrespectful. TV Asahi, in particular, had already been reportedly unhappy after t.A.T.u. had previously cancelled their appearance on Music Station earlier in April despite that commercials promoting them had already been broadcast. They lodged a complaint against Universal Music KK (t.A.T.u.'s
Japanese label), threatening to ban any artist associated with the label from appearing on the show. They later launched a lawsuit against Universal Music KK in July 2003 for damages and banned t.A.T.u. from future appearances on Music Station. Japanese comedian Tamori, the host of Music Station, stated in 2021 that out of the 34 years he had hosted the show, t.A.T.u.'s refusal to perform was the most memorable to him.
When t.A.T.u. returned in December 2003 for a two-day concert in Tokyo Dome, half of the seats were empty. In 2004, t.A.T.u. released "Gomenasai" as an apology, but it failed to gain traction in Japan. In 2013, through an interview with The Asahi Shimbun, Katina and Volkova stated that Shapovalov had ordered them to leave Music Station to create "controversy" in hopes of them getting more media attention, and, as they were young, they did not fully understand his actions at the time. While the strategy had some success in Russia and Europe, it failed in Japan due to cultural differences. They stated that they regretted the incident and apologized. Following the article's publishing, public opinion of t.A.T.u. began to improve in Japan, and they appeared in a Snickers commercial in the same year.

### Legacy
"All the Things She Said"  was ranked at number 452 in Blender magazine's "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". The song was listed at number 8 on the AOL's Top 100 Pop Songs of the Decade. Rebecca Bary from The New Zealand Herald listed the song at number five on their Top Ten Best Singles of 2003. Bill Lamb from About.com listed the song on his Top 100 Pop Songs of 2003 at number 31 and on his Top 10 Contemporary Girl Group Songs at number ten.
In 2008, the group received the MTV Legend award by MTV Russia. The group is the most successful Russian musical export of all time. Katina stated to Billboard Magazine; "People will remember us for great songs, being free, taking life as it is and not being afraid of anything, [There were] provocative images of two girls kissing each other, but the second thing was the really great music." In 2006, both women were awarded "Woman of the Year" by GQ's Person of the Year Awards, but were not awarded under the band name.

## Productions and T.A. Music
When t.A.T.u. was first formed by Shapovalov, Neformat was created as the group's production company, with Shapovalov and Renski at the head. In 2004, the company was dissolved when t.A.T.u. left Shapovalov.
Since 2005, T.A. Music has been the Moscow-based production company of t.A.T.u. The liner notes that accompanied the release of Dangerous and Moving said that the company was composed of t.A.T.u., Boris Renski, Dasha Mischenko, and Andrey Artischev. After t.A.T.u. broke ties with Universal Music in 2006, it was announced in 2008 that T.A. Music would become the duo's record label, although only currently in the Russian market.  Vesyolye Ulybki was released internationally on iTunes through the T.A. Music label. T.A. Music also now acts as the label and management company for Lena Katina's solo project.

## Members
- Lena Katina – vocals (1999–2011)
- Julia Volkova – vocals (1999–2011)

Backing band members
- Sven Martin – keyboards, synthesizer, programming, piano, backing vocals, musical director (2002–2011)
- Troy MacCubbin – guitars, backing vocals (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
- 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 | TV documentary |
| 2004 | t.A.T.u. v Podnebesnoy    | Themselves | TV series      |
| 2008 | You and I                 | Themselves | Cameo          |
| TBD  | t.A.T.u: Behind the Stars | Themselves | Cameo          |

## Tours
- 200 Po Vstrechnoy Tour (2001–2002)
- Show Me Love Tour (2003)
- Dangerous and Moving Tour (2005–2006)

wikiname: enwiki

title: T.A.T.u.

in_language: en

wikitext:
{{short description|Russian musical duo}}
{{Redirect|Tatu}}
{{redirect-distinguish|T.a.t.y.|Taty (disambiguation){{!}}Taty}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{Infobox musical artist<!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = t.A.T.u.
| image             = TatuGroupPhoto.jpg
| caption           = Volkova (left) and Katina (right) in 2003
| origin            = [[Moscow]], Russia
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/26/arts/rise-of-the-new-europe-in-euro-pop.html|title=Rise of the New Europe in Euro Pop|last=Hong|first=Y. Euny|date=26 May 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106140709/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/26/arts/rise-of-the-new-europe-in-euro-pop.html|archive-date=6 January 2019|access-date=6 January 2019}}</ref>|[[pop rock]]<ref name="t.A.T.u. - Biography & History">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tatu-mn0000001113/biography|title=t.A.T.u. – Biography & History|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref>|[[Europop]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/may/04/artsfeatures|last=Paterson|first=Colin|title=Hideous kinky|date=4 May 2002|work=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106135231/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/may/04/artsfeatures|archive-date=6 January 2019|access-date=6 January 2019}}</ref>|[[electronic music|electronic]]<ref name="t.A.T.u. - Biography & History" /><!--Note: Just merely the most frequent genres. thank you!-->}}
| years_active      = {{flatlist|
*1999–2011
}}
| label             = {{hlist|Neformat|[[Interscope Records|Interscope]]|[[Universal Music Russia]]|Soyuz}}
| associated_acts   = [[Neposedy]]
| past_members      = {{plainlist|
* [[Lena Katina]]
* [[Julia Volkova]]}}
}}

'''t.A.T.u.''' ({{langx|ru|Тату}}, {{IPA|ru|tɐˈtu|pron|Tatu.ogg}}, {{Literal translation|[[tattoo]]}}) are a [[Russian pop]] duo consisting of [[Lena Katina]] and [[Julia Volkova]]. The two started out as part of the children's musical group [[Neposedy]] before being managed by producer and director [[Ivan Shapovalov]] and signing with Russian record label Neformat. t.A.T.u.'s debut album ''[[200 Po Vstrechnoy]]'' (2001) was a commercial success in [[Eastern Europe]], and that resulted in the duo signing with [[Interscope Records]] to release its English-language counterpart, ''[[200 km/h in the Wrong Lane]]'' (2002). The album was certified platinum by the [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]] for one million copies sold in Europe and became the first album by a foreign group to reach number one in Japan.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Although ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' claimed t.A.T.u. as the first non-Japanese act to debut at number one in Japan,<ref>{{cite magazine|date=5 July 2003|title=Hitmakers with a Golden Touch|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3w0EAAAAMBAJ&q=t.a.t.u.+non-japanese&pg=PA52|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Nielsen Holdings|Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]]|volume=115|issue=27|page=52|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> South Korean singer [[BoA]] was the first artist overall to achieve such feat in 2002 with her debut Japanese album ''[[Listen to My Heart (BoA album)|Listen to My Heart]]''—the singer's second Japanese album ''[[Valenti (album)|Valenti]]'' also reached number one on its first week in 2003, one month before t.A.T.u.'s Japanese debut.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2009/03/20/music/no-constrictions-on-boas-ambitions/|first=Robert Michael|last=Poole|title=No constrictions on BoA's ambitions|work=[[The Japan Times]]|date=20 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609020138/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2009/03/20/music/no-constrictions-on-boas-ambitions/|archive-date=9 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=15 February 2003|title=Hits of the World: Japan (Dempa Publications Inc.; 02/05/2003)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AQ8EAAAAMBAJ&q=japan+boa|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=115|issue=7|page=40|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> According to [[Oricon]], t.A.T.u. became the first foreign group to reach number one with their self-titled Japanese debut album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2096758/full/|title=【オリコン】BLACKPINK、アルバム初登場首位デビュー 海外歌手3組目|date=5 September 2017|language=ja|publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228032307/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2096758/full/|archive-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> The album had peaked at number three in its first week on the Oricon Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=22 March 2003|title=Hits of the World: Japan (Dempa Publications Inc.; 03/12/2003)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fw8EAAAAMBAJ&q=japan+200+km%2Fh|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=115|issue=12|page=72|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>}} It was also certified gold in the United States and included the international hits "[[All the Things She Said]]" and "[[Not Gonna Get Us]]". The duo [[Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003|represented Russia]] in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2003]] with the song "[[Ne ver, ne boysya]]", finishing third. t.A.T.u. is one of the few Russian performers who have achieved international success along with [[Alla Pugacheva]] and [[Anna Netrebko]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=8 русских исполнителей, которых слушают за рубежом |url=https://kulturologia.ru/blogs/290921/51257/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Культурология}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Анна Нетребко: «Я рада подчиняться Эрвину» стр.3 |url=https://7days.ru/caravan/2011/10/anna-netrebko-ya-rada-podchinyatsya-ervinu/3.htm |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=7Дней.ру |language=ru}}</ref>

t.A.T.u. released their second international album, ''[[Dangerous and Moving]]'', alongside its Russian equivalent, ''Lyudi Invalidy'', in 2005, with the group reaching moderate success after parting ways with Shapovalov. The former was promoted with the international hit "[[All About Us (t.A.T.u. song)|All About Us]]". The duo ventured into other projects, such as creating their own production company T.A. Music and promoting the film inspired by their story, ''[[You and I (2008 film)|You and I]]'' (2008). Their last pair of albums, ''[[Vesyolye Ulybki]]'' and ''[[Waste Management (album)|Waste Management]]'', followed between 2008 and 2009, respectively. t.A.T.u. officially broke up in 2011, with Katina and Volkova pursuing solo careers.<ref name="Tatuquit">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472212/tatu-calls-it-quits-following-release-of-remix-album|title=T.A.T.u. Calls It Quits Following Release of Remix Album|author=Lipshutz, Jason|date=4 April 2011|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref> They reunited to perform at special occasions, such as [[2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi]], in subsequent years.

==History==

===1999: Formation===
[[File:Tatu wordmark.svg|thumb|The wordmark logo of t.A.T.u.]]
Before production of t.A.T.u. began, the pair were in a group named [[Neposedi]]. Both [[Lena Katina]] and [[Julia Volkova]] were part of the band, along with members [[Sergey Lazarev]] and [[Vlad Topalov]]. Katina was also in a band named "Avenue" between 1994 and 1997.<ref name="askmen"/> It was reported that Volkova was banned from being in Neposedi, amid claims she was misbehaving and disrupting other members in the group, along with being accused of smoking, swearing and drinking.<ref name="askmen"/> However, Neposedi denied the claims and said that Volkova aged out of the group.

t.A.T.u. were formed in 1999 by [[Ivan Shapovalov]] and his friend/business partner Alexander Voitinskiy, who developed plans to create a musical project in Russia. With this idea in mind, Shapovalov and Voitinskiy organized auditions in Moscow in early 1999 for teenage female vocalists. By the end of auditioning, the partners narrowed their search down to ten girls, including the members that finally became t.A.T.u., Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. Katina and Volkova knew each other before the auditions.<ref name="askmen">{{cite web |url=http://au.askmen.com/celebs/women/singer_150/170_tatu.html |title=T.A.T.U. - Askmen |publisher=Au.askmen.com |access-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617074837/http://au.askmen.com/celebs/women/singer_150/170_tatu.html |archive-date=17 June 2013 }}</ref>  Both girls stood out among the others because of their appearance and vocal experience, but the producers decided to start with 14-year-old Katina, who sang "[[It Must Have Been Love]]" by [[Roxette]]. Katina began recording demos, including "Yugoslavia", a protest song about [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sostav.ru/video/files/09yugoslavia.mp3 |title=Voitinsky about Yugoslavia |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ok-magazine.ru/exclusive/item16832.php t. A. T. u.: «Мы и сейчас иногда целуемся!»] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021152116/http://www.ok-magazine.ru/exclusive/item16832.php |date=21 October 2014}} // OK, № 20 (133), 2009</ref> After the demos were cut, Shapovalov insisted that another girl be added to the project. Thus, in late 1999, 14-year-old Julia Volkova was added to the group to complete the duo. She also started recording not long after Katina's "Yugoslavia" demo was finished.

According to Katina, Shapovalov was inspired to create the duo after the release of the Swedish film ''[[Show Me Love (film)|Show Me Love]]'' which focused on the romance between two school girls.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tatumedia.com/post/13311041014/lena-katinas-interview-in-story-caravan |title=T.A.T.u. Media |access-date=10 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211071905/http://tatumedia.com/post/13311041014/lena-katinas-interview-in-story-caravan |archive-date=11 February 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> After completing the duo, the producers decided on the name "Тату" (Tatu). Sounding like the English word "[[tattoo]]", it is also a shortened version of the Russian phrase "'''Та'''  любит '''ту'''" (''ta lyubit tu''), meaning "This [girl] loves that [girl]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/276939 |title=Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121234841/http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/276939 |archive-date=21 January 2008 }}</ref> For the release of their first English-language album, they decided to go by t.A.T.u., using uppercase letters and periods to distinguish themselves from an already existing Australian band, Tatu.

=== 2000–2001: ''200 Po Vstrechnoy'' ===
Over the next year, Katina and Volkova recorded songs with their producers. Voitinskij left the project, and Shapovalov signed [[Elena Kiper]] as co-producer and co-writer for their debut album.

The first single was completed in 2000, titled "Ya Soshla S Uma" (later released in English as "[[All the Things She Said]]"). The song describes the turmoil in a girl's soul because she is in love with another girl, but is afraid, as society frowns upon this. She asks her parents for forgiveness. Elena Kiper has been credited with the song, explaining that the idea came to her when she fell asleep at her dentist's office and had a dream in which she kissed another woman. She woke up saying out loud, "Я сошла с ума!" (Ya soshla s uma, meaning "I've lost my mind"). Ivan Shapovalov is said to have added the second phrase of the chorus, "Мне нужна она" (Mne nuzhna ona, meaning "I need her").

Their first album, ''[[200 Po Vstrechnoy]]'' was released on 21 May 2001. Their second single, "[[Nas Ne Dogonyat]]", which was only released in music video form rather than as an official CD single, although a promotional conjoined "Ya Soshla s Uma/Nas Ne Dagonyat" was released in [[Poland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/tATu-Ya-Soshla-S-Uma-Nas-Nie-Dogoniat/release/1798385 |title=TATU* – Nas Ne Dogonyat / Ya Soshla S Uma (CDr) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> This was followed by the third single "30 Minut", only available as a music video. The album was eventually released in [[Japan]], where it was certified gold by [[Recording Industry Association of Japan|RIAJ]]. The group went on tour in 2001, where their routines were described as "precise" and featured routines where the girls had to [[Striptease|strip]].<ref name="askmen" /> The tour appeared in countries including Germany, [[Bulgaria]], [[Slovakia]], the [[Czech Republic]], and [[Israel]].

===2002–2003: ''200 km/h in the Wrong Lane'' and Eurovision===
The American music executive [[Jimmy Iovine]] asked the English producer [[Trevor Horn]] to create English-language versions of Tatu's songs. Horn wrote new lyrics for "All the Things She Said" and "[[Not Gonna Get Us]]" and coached t.A.T.u. to sing them in English. He also rerecorded the instruments, as he did not have access to the original multitracks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=2019-07-23 |title=Trevor Horn on Grace Jones, smoking with Malcolm McLaren, and why video didn't kill the radio star |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/live/2019/jul/19/trevor-horn-webchat-post-your-questions-now |access-date=2023-04-18 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He described Shapovalov as "awful" and removed him from the sessions after he made the girls cry. Horn said later: "There's no shortcut, you can't bully people."<ref name=":0" /> The group was "controlled" by Shapovalov and it was reported that he was "strict" during the process of making the album.<ref name="askmen" />

The English version of the album was released in October 2002 as ''[[200 km/h in the Wrong Lane]]''. The first single from the album was "All the Things She Said" which was released in late summer 2002. The song peaked at the top spot in Australia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The music video caused controversy worldwide, due to the members, who were both 15 at the time of the video's production, kissing behind a fence. Some believed the video promoted [[lesbian]]ism and [[pedophilia]] and some branded the group's music as "paedophilic pop".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2736367.stm |title=More to Tatu than shock tactics |date=14 February 2003 |work=[[BBC]] |access-date=30 January 2013 |first=Michael |last=Osborn}}</ref>

The group announced their "Show Me Love Tour", which was to commence in the United Kingdom. However, both of their proposed concerts in the UK were cancelled due to poor ticket sales.<ref name="bbctickets">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2989235.stm |title=Tatu drop dates after poor sales |date=30 April 2003 |work=[[BBC]] |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> In July 2002, ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' praised the group by saying "We have seen the future of rock & roll ... to say you've never seen or heard anything quite like it is a colossal understatement."<ref>[http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=219_0_5_0 t.A.T.u. heralded as "the future of rock & roll"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183353/http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=219_0_5_0 |date=3 March 2016 }}. This is an archive to the original. Time of publication: 10 July 2002.</ref> t.A.T.u. were then heralded by ''[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]]'' magazine as "The hottest popstars in the world right now."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=250_0_5_0 |title=Praise for t.A.T.u. from the U.K.s The Face Magazine |quote=This is an archive to the original. Time of publication: 16.12.2002 |access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref>
On 25 February 2003 the women mocked [[NBC]]'s insistence that they neither kiss nor comment on the Iraq war by performing "All the Things She Said" in white "T-shirts that bore the Russian language message [[Khuy Voyne!]] (Fuck the war!) across the front, and by blocking their faces with their hands as they kissed during a break in their performance."<ref>{{cite book|author1=Ivan Raykoff|author2=[[Robert Deam Tobin]]|title=A Song for Europe: Popular Music and Politics in the Eurovision Song Contest|date=2007|publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Eq7nilnv93cC&dq=%22Jay+Leno%22++%22t.a.t.u.%22++kiss+censor&pg=PA111 111]}}</ref>

[[File:T.A.T.u. - Lena Katina (48276090406) (cropped 2).jpg|thumb|left|t.A.T.u. at the [[2003 MTV Movie Awards]]]]

The "Fuck the War!" T-shirts were banned on the ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' show and replaced with T-shirts that said "Censored". They still wrote the term on Jimmy Kimmel's hand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0615586/|title=Jimmy Kimmel Live! Episode dated 26 February 2003|access-date=1 August 2024}}</ref>

The next single "[[Not Gonna Get Us]]" was released in early 2003. Though not as popular as their debut single, it managed to have success in most record charts. The group then released their third single "[[30_Minutes_(song)|30 Minutes]]", which premiered only in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/tATu-30-Minutes/release/141714 |title=t.A.T.u. – 30 Minutes (CD) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> A music video followed after the release. The fourth single, "[[How Soon Is Now?]]", was a cover of the song by [[the Smiths]]  and came out in May 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/tATu-How-Soon-Is-Now/master/89910 |title=t.A.T.u. - How Soon Is Now? |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> The same month, Shapovalov was arrested after arranging filming for the group's music video "[[Show Me Love (t.A.T.u. song)|Show Me Love]]" in Moscow's [[Red Square]] despite his application for filming being refused.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.nme.com/news/music/tatu-3-1382440|title = Tatu Manager arrested during video shoot|website = [[NME]]|date = 16 May 2003|access-date = 1 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://calendar.songfacts.com/may/15/|title=Music History Events May 15|website=Music History Calendar|access-date=1 August 2024}}</ref> Shapovalov also attempted to film near London's [[Big Ben]] and various other locations. The footage that was recorded was later used for a music video for the song "Show Me Love",<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ZGC7pYVpbEQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20070213220609/http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZGC7pYVpbEQ Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGC7pYVpbEQ |title=t. A. T. u.-show me love |publisher=Youtube.com |date=22 July 2006 |access-date=19 January 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> despite the song not being released in any country other than Poland.

Also in May 2003, t.A.T.u. represented Russia at [[Eurovision Song Contest 2003]] with the song "[[Ne ver, ne boysya]]", where they placed third. After the contest, Russia's Channel One complained that Irish broadcaster RTÉ (Ireland's national television broadcaster) had used a back-up jury, and that it had cost them victory; RTÉ did not use the televoting results after some network problems.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/30/russia.arts | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Vote switch 'stole Tatu's Eurovision win' | date=30 May 2003}}</ref> A statement by Channel One suggested that there were grounds to believe that the contest results could be much different for Russia. RTÉ responded by publishing the unused results of the Irish televote, which showed that had the jury not been used, Turkey, whose entry was also overlooked by the Irish Jury, would still have won. The group's record label, Universal Music Russia, were originally against the group's participation saying that the Eurovision contest was for "young artists" and said "artists of Tatu's level will not get much out of the participation in it, We [Universal] would much rather prefer the group to work on their new album, and not to participate in contests for rising stars [...]"<ref>[http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=755_0_5_0 Tatu's Recording Label is ::Against:: Their Participation in EuroVision!] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183149/http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=755_0_5_0 |date=3 March 2016}}. This is an archive to the original. Time of publication: 3 May 2003.</ref>

The same month, the group postponed their German promo tour due to a late invitation to the 2003 [[MTV Movie Awards]], where they performed.<ref name="eng.tatysite.net">{{cite web|url=http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=767_0_5_0 |title=TATU - News - t.A.T.u. Concerts in Germany Cancelled/Delayed |publisher=Eng.tatysite.net |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref> In June, they also cancelled their Riga concert, which led to a lawsuit from Pasadena Group Promotion, asking for $180,000 in damages.<ref>[http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=930_0_5_0 Another lawsuit -- t.A.T.u. cancellations in Riga] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112183342/http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=930_0_5_0 |date=12 November 2013 }}. This is an archive from the original posted by [[The Daily Telegraph]]. Time of publication: 13 June 2003.</ref> At the end of June 2003, t.A.T.u. embarked on a promotional tour in Japan involving a film shoot of a promotional video, an appearance on the Japanese music program ''[[Music Station]]'', and a concert.<ref name="sydney 2003-07-01"/> The film shoot application was rejected by the Japanese police due to traffic concerns.<ref name="sydney 2003-07-01"/><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3025356.stm | title=Japan 'bans Tatu filming' | work=[[BBC News]] | date=2003-06-27 | accessdate=2025-08-19}}</ref> Meanwhile, t.A.T.u. had gained widespread negative media coverage in Japan after abruptly leaving ''Music Station'' while the show was in mid-broadcast and cancelling their concert on the following day.<ref name="irishexaminer 2003-06-30"/><ref name="sydney 2003-07-01"/> Their appearance on ''Music Station'' led the show's broadcasting station, [[TV Asahi]], to sue [[Universal Music Japan|Universal Music KK]], their Japanese label, and ban future appearances on the show.<ref name="sankei 2003-07-02"/>

On 26 September 2003, the group released a remix compilation, titled ''[[t.A.T.u. Remixes|Remixes]]''. In November 2003, the CD was released in Russia, with two new tracks and videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/tATu-Remixes/master/59727 |title=t.A.T.u. - Remixes |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> The two new tracks were "Prostiye Dvizheniya", a controversial single that came out in Russia in summer 2002,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111224200021/http://russiajournal.com/node/13836 Tatu presents a naughty video]}}. This is an archive to the original. Time of publication: 13 June 2002, ''[[The Russia Journal]]''.</ref>
and "Ne ver, ne boysya", their entry for the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] 2003. The DVD compilation ''[[Screaming for More (DVD)|Screaming for More]]'' was released on 24 November 2003, featuring music videos and behind-the-scenes. ''[[Anatomy of t.A.T.u.]]'' aired on Russian television on 12 December 2003. The documentary revealed that the girls were not lesbians and chronicled the group as they took part in Eurovision earlier in the year.

===2004–2006: ''Dangerous and Moving'' and ''Lyudi Invalidy''===
In early 2004, t.A.T.u. legally broke their contract with Ivan Shapovalov and Neformat. In the months before the split, t.A.T.u. and Shapovalov were being filmed for a reality show on [[STS (Russian television network)|STS]] in Russia titled ''[[Podnebesnaya]]''. The show followed the group as they were recording their second album, to little success, with their producer Ivan Shapovalov. The documentary aired on Russian television from January to March 2004.

There were many rumors around the split until the show aired, which depicted the group leaving due to a lack of interest and care from their producer. They also claimed the quality of the music being produced was too low, and that Shapovalov was only interested in creating scandals. Volkova stated, "He [Ivan] spends his time thinking up scandals instead of planning our artistic work. I'm sure our fans would rather hear new songs and new albums than new scandals." Katina then stated, "He made us out to BE lesbians when we were just singing FOR lesbians. We wanted people to understand them and not judge them. That they are as free as anyone else."<ref name=Ananova>{{cite web |author=Ananova Ltd |title=Tatu seeking new name and manager |publisher=ananova.com |year=2003 |url=http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_864931.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220092920/http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_864931.html |archive-date=20 December 2006 }}</ref> In one of the final episodes, Volkova mentioned returning to the United States in spring of 2004 to record with new producers. However, she became pregnant soon thereafter, and recording was delayed.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/tatu-singer-is-pregnant |title=Julia Volkova – Tatu Singer Is Pregnant |magazine=Contactmusic.com |date=16 May 2004 |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Gaudi arena.jpg|thumb|right|t.A.T.u. performing in October 2005]]

Volkova soon joined Katina and previous producer [[Sergio Galoyan]] in the studio. The group was backed by their record label, [[Universal Music International]], in finding adequate songs and production to release a new album. In August 2005, "[[All About Us (t.A.T.u. song)|All About Us]]" and "Lyudi Invalidy" were announced to be the first singles from the English and Russian albums, respectively. "All About Us" was a worldwide hit, charting in the top ten in the majority of European charts. The group released their second English album on 5 October 2005 titled ''[[Dangerous and Moving]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/tATu-Dangerous-And-Moving/master/31191 |title=Dangerous and Moving - t.A.T.u |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> Its Russian counterpart was released on 19 October, titled ''Lyudi Invalidy''. The second single was "[[Friend or Foe (t.A.T.u. song)|Friend or Foe]]". Soon after the video was released, the group's management replaced drummer Roman Ratej with Steve "Boomstick" Wilson, and appointed a new bassist, Domen Vajevec. On 25 March 2006, t.A.T.u. received the award for Best Group at the first edition of the ''[[TRL Awards]]''.

On 17 April 2006, t.A.T.u. returned to reality TV in Russia with ''t.A.T.u. Expedition'', which was broadcast on the Russian music channel Muz TV. It chronicled the release of their second album, and the recording of the video for their third single, "[[Gomenasai (t.A.T.u song)|Gomenasai]]", which was released during the airing of the show. The video, as well as the actual song, is quite a departure from t.A.T.u.'s usual style and leaves many of their fans cold.<ref>Alessandro Paolinelli, "t.A.T.u. story", CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2014. {{ISBN|978-1497327382}}</ref> t.A.T.u. performed in [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia on 28 April kicking off their Dangerous and Moving Tour. On 30 August 2006, the official website announced that the girls had left their record company, Universal/Interscope.

On 21 November 2006, the region of the [[Komi Republic]] in Russia filed a lawsuit against t.A.T.u. over the album and song "Lyudi Invalidy" due to the title translating to "disabled people". Leonid Vakuev, a human rights representative for the Komi Republic, interpreted the song as being directed towards disabled people and cited words written in the booklet for the album, which said: "[Lyudi Invalidy] do not know what it means to be a human being. They are fakes inside the human form. They do not live, but — function". Katina said, "Of course, we meant moral invalids, people who do not have [a] soul and human feelings." When asked if they had anything against disabled people, she stated that she finds it offensive to refer to people by that term, and added, "We take pictures together and make sure they have priority seats [at concerts]."<ref name=BBCRussia>{{cite web | author=Mornings On BBC | title=Katina on Mornings On BBC | publisher=tatu.ru | year=2006 | url=http://www.tatu.ru/en/news.html?id=433&np=2 | access-date=29 December 2006 | archive-date=5 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905102413/http://www.tatu.ru/en/news.html?id=433&np=2 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2006, Russian politician [[Aleksey Mitrofanov]] proposed t.A.T.u. to be awarded the [[Order of Friendship]], but the [[State Duma]] vetoed his idea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravdareport.com/society/showbiz/17-05-2006/80466-tatu-0/|title=TATU girls unfazed by the Duma refusal to award them state decoration|work=PravdaReport|date=17 May 2006}}</ref> Mitrofanov came to write a novel inspired by the duo, ''t.A.T.u. Come Back'' (Russian: ТАТУ КАМ БЭК), which was also adapted into the film ''[[You and I (2011 film)|You and I]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmfestivals.com/blog/cannes/roland_joffe_s_you_and_i_screens_in_cannes?page=12|title=Roland Joffé's "You and I" screens in Cannes - Filmfestivals.com}}</ref>

===2007–2010: ''Vesyolye Ulybki'' and ''Waste Management''===
On 17 May 2007, t.A.T.u. issued a statement directed to their gay fans: "When t.A.T.u.'s second album came out, many of our fans of alternative sexual orientation thought that we lied and betrayed them. This is not true! We’ve never done that and we’ve always advocated love without boundaries."<ref>{{cite web
  | title = We are addressing gay community in Russia and in the rest of the world
  | date = 17 May 2007
  | url = http://www.tatu.ru/news.html?id=515&l=en
  | access-date = 8 February 2008
  | archive-date = 4 September 2021
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210904010854/http://www.tatu.ru/news.html?id=515&l=en
  | url-status = dead
  }}</ref> On 26 May, they flew out to Moscow to take part in the [[Moscow Pride|Moscow Gay Pride]] demonstration.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = t.A.T.u at Moscow Gay-Pride: It was a military operation
  | date = 31 May 2007
  | url = http://www.tatu.ru/en/feedback.html?id=523&page=0
  | access-date = 8 February 2008
  | archive-date = 22 November 2021
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211122190716/http://www.tatu.ru/en/feedback.html?id=523&page=0
  | url-status = dead
  }}</ref>

On 12 September 2007, the group released the concert DVD "Truth". It was the group's first release since leaving Universal. In late 2007, "Белый Плащик" ("Beliy Plaschik"), the lead single from their upcoming Russian-language album, was released. The project was then known as "Управление Отбросами" (''Upravleniye Otbrosami''), which translates to "Waste Management". The second single, "220" ("Двести Двадцать", Dvesti Dvadtsat'), made its radio premiere in April 2008<ref name="RusRadio">{{Cite web |language = ru |url = http://www.rusradio.ru/news/radio/546047/ |title = Эксклюзив на «Русском радио»! «t.A.T.u» — «220» | publisher = [[Russkoye Radio]] |date = 24 April 2008 |access-date = 29 July 2025 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080622104700/http://www.rusradio.ru/news/radio/546047/|archive-date = 22 June 2008 |url-status = dead}}</ref>, and the music video was released on their official YouTube channel on 5 June 2008. "Beliy Plaschik" and "220" were the main attractions on a special release known as "[[Hyperion-Plate]]", the first-ever EP from the duo. The EP was released on 8 May 2008 and featured multimedia content including music, video, ringtones and wallpapers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/tATu-%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D0%9F%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B8%D0%BA-White-Robe/master/199986 |title=t.A.T.u. - Белый Плащик / White Robe at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Julia Volkova Bacardi B-LIVE 2008.jpg|thumb|left|upright|t.A.T.u in 2008]]

At the time of the "[[Hyperion-Plate]]" release, ''Upravleniye Otbrosami'' was scheduled to hit the stores in June 2008. The EP featured a poster which advertised that date, as well as a coupon redeemable for a discount on the album that expired on 30 June 2008. However, the release schedule abruptly stalled on 5 June 2008, when t.A.T.u.'s manager Boris Renski announced that Julia Volkova was seriously ill.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tatu.ru/en/news.html?id=653&page=4 |title=t. A. T. u. Eng News |language=ru |publisher=Tatu.ru |access-date=2 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928040943/http://www.tatu.ru/en/news.html?id=653&page=4 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Volkova's illness forced the cancellation of a concert in [[Santa Clara, California|Santa Clara, CA]], and the singer was not seen in public until the wedding of producer Sergey Konov on 5 July 2008. The duo returned to work in late August, when it was reported that t.A.T.u. would be the face of fashion designer [[Marc Jacobs]]'s fall and winter campaigns in Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/thecut/2008/08/tatu_stars_in_marc_by_marc_jac.html |title=t.A.T.u. Stars in Marc by Marc Jacobs's Russian Campaign |publisher=Nymag.com |date=25 August 2008 |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref>

On 9 September 2008, a press release appeared on the duo's official website that declared that the forthcoming album would be titled "Веселые Улыбки", ''[[Vesyolye Ulybki]]'' ("Happy Smiles") instead of ''Upravleniye Otbrosami'' ("Waste Management"). The name change reflected sarcastic comments about the state of the Russian music business made by Volkova and Katina in an interview with Moscow's Time Out Magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.tatu.ru/Media/2008/09/01/1220278500000.html |title=Там же одни проститутки! / It's full of whores! / Time Out Magazine / t. A. T. u. – t. A. T. u. m.e.d.i.a.b.l.o.g |publisher=Blog.tatu.ru |date=1 September 2008 |access-date=2 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116084633/http://blog.tatu.ru/Media/2008/09/01/1220278500000.html |archive-date=16 January 2009 }}</ref> The press release also provided the track list of the album and an early version of its cover art, but still no confirmed release date was given. On 12 September, the album's third single, "You and I" made its debut on Love Radio. The press release disappeared from the site shortly afterward, only to re-appear on 8 October with a change made to the cover art --- where there was once the face of a smiling astronaut on the original design, a black square now appeared.

On 15 October, t.A.T.u.'s website announced that ''[[Vesyolye Ulybki]]'' would be released on 21 October 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/happy-smiles/294025503 |title=Happy Smiles - t.A.T.u |publisher=[[iTunes]] |date=21 October 2008 |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> beginning with a special event at two Soyuz record stores in Moscow where fans could meet the girls and get their autographs. The album also went on pre-sale at the official t.A.T.u. web shop on 18 October, with a small number of buyers receiving a limited-edition postcard set as a prize. The songs were also made available internationally through the [[iTunes]] digital music store. Upon its release, it became apparent that the album essentially had two covers --- the astronaut cover was a slipcase, while the original design used for "Upravleniye Otbrosami" appeared inside. The black square from the press release had been hiding a [[Mars]] scene.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tatu.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18278&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=760&sid=4cb9858b2cefd521ba5d510631b7046f |title=Tatu :: View topic – New t. A. T. u. album: Veselye Ulybki/Happy Smiles |publisher=Tatu.us |access-date=2 May 2009 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807221449/http://tatu.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18278&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=760&sid=4cb9858b2cefd521ba5d510631b7046f |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 23 October, t.A.T.u. appeared on Vladimir Polupanov's "The 7 Premieres" to promote their new album. They were also the subjects of an ongoing mini-[[reality series]] on the website Russia.ru. On 28 November t.A.T.u. were awarded the Legend of MTV at the [[MTV Russia Music Awards#2008|MTV Russia Music Awards 2008]].

In March 2009, a statement was released on the duo's site and MySpace stating that the duo will no longer be a "full-time" project and that Katina and Volkova were working on solo projects. They also mentioned that the third video will be released on 17 April on MTV Russia. The album's single "[[Snegopady]]" was eventually released, along with its music video.<ref name="insider1">{{cite web|url=http://blog.tatu.ru/Insider/2009/03/21/1237628400000.html |title=Тату форева / t. A. T. u. forever – Insider Said It's True |publisher=Blog.tatu.ru |date=21 March 2009 |access-date=2 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324093648/http://blog.tatu.ru/Insider/2009/03/21/1237628400000.html |archive-date=24 March 2009 }}</ref>

The girls performed a special concert at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009]] on 10 May. They were also included as an interval act on the 12th at the first semifinals, performing [[Not Gonna Get Us]] with the Russian Army Choir.

On 13 July, the group released their single "[[Snowfalls (t.A.T.u song)|Snowfalls]]", taken from the English version of the album, ''[[Waste Management (album)|Waste Management]]''. The song was released digitally worldwide, along with its music video.<ref>[https://music.apple.com/us/album/snowfalls-single/325174760 iTunes - Music - Snowfalls - Single] . [[iTunes Store]].</ref> The group's second single for the album, "White Robe", was released by Coqueiro Verde Records online and premiered on t.A.T.u.'s YouTube account.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmylove.org/news/archives/00000751.html|title=MY WEBLOG}}</ref> t.A.T.u.'s official website announced that the video was up for voting on MTV Brazil on 10 November 2009.<ref>{{in lang|ru}} [http://www.tatu.ru/en/news.html?id=730 t.A.T.u. Eng News] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106222136/http://www.tatu.ru/en/news.html?id=730 |date=6 November 2015 }}. Tatu.ru. Retrieved on 10 February 2011.</ref><ref>{{in lang|ru}} [http://www.tatu.ru/en/news.html?id=732 t.A.T.u. Eng News] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105205943/http://www.tatu.ru/en/news.html?id=732 |date=5 November 2015}}. Tatu.ru. Retrieved on 10 February 2011.</ref> On 3 December, the "White Robe" video reached the number one position on MTV Brazil. It was announced via [[Twitter]] that Coqueiro Verde Records would release the album in Brazil on 25 January 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/tatuchile/status/7851514175 |title=Twitter / tatuchile: Coqueiro Verde Records has |publisher=Twitter.com |date=25 January 2010 |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> The album was eventually released worldwide digitally, and received favorable reception from critics. The album did not sell very well and was reported to have only sold over 1000 copies in the United States, as of January 2010.<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/959544/ask-billboard-taking-peaks-nos-100-1?page=0%2C1 Ask Billboard: "Taking Peaks," Nos. 100-1] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302041430/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/959544/ask-billboard-taking-peaks-nos-100-1?page=0%2C1 |date=2 March 2016}}. 29 January 2010 4:35 PM EST.</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Eurovision+Song+Contest+Moscow+2009+1st+Semi+-2z6jSO2xKTl.jpg|thumbnail|right|t.A.T.u. performing during the show after the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 Semi Finals at Olimpiysky Arena in Moscow, Russia]] -->
[[File:Tatu at VivaComet 2008 (cropped).jpg|thumb|t.A.T.u. performing at the Viva Comet Awards in 2008]]
The third single off the album was "Sparks", which was the English version of "220". It was released in Brazil and on t.A.T.u.'s official YouTube account on 13 April 2010.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/S0sXkdRwCPo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20100713224838/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0sXkdRwCPo Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0sXkdRwCPo&playnext_from=TL&videos=GgD2khriWHw&feature=sub |title=t. A. T. u. Sparks (EN) music video |publisher=Youtube.com |date=13 April 2010 |access-date=19 January 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 31 March 2010, a contest was to be launched in which fans will be able to remix their favorite t.A.T.u. songs from the new album. The winning mixes would be included on an upcoming remix album.<ref name="kroogi.com">[http://www.kroogi.com/home/tatu]{{dead link|date=February 2011}}</ref>

Volkova made headlines in Russia with an interview where she expressed her opinion on Katina's solo career, "She has the right to [sing t.A.T.u. songs], but it's so stupid, absolutely stupid. If you do a solo career, it means that you do your own work. Her stuff, that she makes, I think, is silly and very soon her career will wither away and disappear."<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/nugTJ423i58 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131127181803/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nugTJ423i58 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nugTJ423i58&feature=watch_response |title=Yulia Volkova calls Katina's solo project "silly" ! (Subtitled) |publisher=Youtube.com |date=21 July 2010 |access-date=19 January 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Katina responded to this interview via her YouTube Page, "I saw Julia's interview. Of course I got upset. But I want to tell everybody that I have a completely opposite attitude towards the whole situation, Julia's project included. I believe she's a very talented person and I sincerely hope that she'll be successful in all the things she plans."<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/QFUDW3FdImU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140429024238/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFUDW3FdImU&feature=player_embedded Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFUDW3FdImU |title=Video Blog / Returning to LA |publisher=Youtube.com |date=20 July 2010 |access-date=19 January 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In July, Katina made an appearance on a radio station where she was asked about the future of the duo. She responded by saying, "Life has changed a lot. Julia and I are working on our projects now. I, for one, will be traveling to Los Angeles this Saturday, where I will keep working on my album. And I'm preparing a big show in San Francisco in September, so now we are not planning to reform t.A.T.u., certainly not in the near future. Now we really want to concentrate only on our own projects."<ref>[http://newestatus.blogspot.com/2010/07/interviewlena-katinaradio-expres.html • t. A. T. u. • Newestatus •: Interview:Lena katina(Radio Expres)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708054644/http://newestatus.blogspot.com/2010/07/interviewlena-katinaradio-expres.html |date=8 July 2011 }}</ref> Lena Katina and her full band performed her first live major solo show in San Francisco on 17 September 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.SummerClimax.com/ |title=NovoeRadio – #1 Russian Radio in America – Summer Climax 2010 – Lena Katina / t.A.T.u |publisher=Summerclimax.com |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref>

===2011: Disbandment===
At the end of March 2011, t.A.T.u. management released a press release on their official website declaring t.A.T.u. over. Due to conflicts between the two women, and them both wanting to pursue solo careers, the duo was officially announced as disbanded. They finalised the duo's discography with a double remix album for ''Waste Management''. The management thanked fans for their loyalty over the prior twelve years of the duo's history.<ref>[http://www.tatu.ru/en/ Official Press Release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426022705/http://www.theprophetblog.net/t-a-t-u-s-lena-katina-tops-the-billboard-club-chart|date=26 April 2012 }} on tatu.ru</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/t-a-t-u/id429032922 |title=iTunes Store |publisher=[[iTunes]] |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref>

After the split, the group decided to focus on their solo careers, both musically and in film. In August 2011, Katina revealed her debut solo single "[[Never Forget (Lena Katina song)|Never Forget]]" which eventually charted at number one on the US [[Hot Dance Club Songs]] for a single week.<ref>[http://www.theprophetblog.net/t-a-t-u-s-lena-katina-tops-the-billboard-club-chart/ t.A.T.u.'s Lena Katina tops the Billboard Club Chart | The Prophet Blog] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814045050/http://www.theprophetblog.net/t-a-t-u-s-lena-katina-tops-the-billboard-club-chart/ |date=14 August 2016 }}. Retrieved on 30 January 2013.</ref> Volkova was also working on her studio album and released two singles; "All Because of You" and "[[Didn't Wanna Do It]]", but failed to generate interest on the music charts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/tatuofficial/posts/447134791974773  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/394769700544616/447134791974773 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Great news! We... |publisher=Facebook |access-date=15 November 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JuliaVolkova/status/213231733334736897 |title=Twitter / JuliaVolkova: We've just announced the title |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=15 November 2012}}</ref> The following year she confirmed she would be starring in the [[dark comedy]] zombie film ''9 1/2 Zombies''.

===2012–2021: Aftermath with Volkova and Katina arguments===
On 2 October 2012, Cherrytree Records/Universal Russia announced that they would be issuing a special re-release of t.A.T.u's ''200 km/h in the Wrong Lane.'' The "10th Year Anniversary Edition" featured all new artwork, a never-before-released song from the 2002 sessions, "[[A Simple Motion]]", a brand new remix of "All the Things She Said" from producer Fernando Garibay, in addition to newly mastered songs. On 24 October 2012, Cherrytree Records released the official track listing for the album; it was a note addressed to fans handwritten and signed by Katina and Volkova themselves. The album was released on 12 November 2012.

On 11 December 2012, the duo reunited as musical guests on ''[[Vocea României (season 2)|The Voice of Romania]]''. It was their first performance together in three years. The duo t.A.T.u performed "All About Us" and "All the Things She Said" during the show. They also appeared in radio and on another television show before.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stirileprotv.ro/show-buzz/entertainment/rusoaicele-de-la-t-a-t-u-invitate-speciale-la-vocea-romaniei.html|title=Vocea Romaniei. Rusoaicele de la trupa t.A.T.u. au facut spectacol pe scena. Cine merge mai departe|publisher=[[Pro TV]]|date=12 December 2012|language=ro}}</ref>

After the re-release, the group were interviewed by Bradley Stern on MuuMuse, and was asked about a reunion and relationship together. Volkova stated "We don't keep in touch", while Katina stated "Only when we see each other. We have very different lives in different countries now. We are not in a fight though."<ref name="muumuse">{{cite web |url=http://www.muumuse.com/2012/11/10-years-in-the-wrong-lane-an-interview-with-t-a-t-u.html/ |title= 10 years in the wrong lane: an interview with t.a.t.u.|last1=Stern |first1=Bradley |date=5 November 2012 |work=MuuMuse |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> As for a reunion, Katina said "I believe that there is always a chance for anything in this life. Maybe…." Volkova stated that, while she is not "ready for it", she said "But this won't stop us from reuniting for joint performances. We’ll see what happens!"<ref name="muumuse"/>

On 25 April 2013, the group performed one private live show at a Russian VIP Club.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://juranelson.livejournal.com/2440.html |title=Концерт t.A.T.u. в Kalina Bar 25 апреля, запутанная история. |language=ru |publisher= [[LiveJournal]] |date=21 April 2013 |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> It was their first concert as a duo since 2008. Despite media reports suggesting a permanent reunion of t.A.T.u., both members later clarified that there are no plans for a full-scale comeback. Volkova told an interviewer that they were not reuniting after all. Katina also stated that her solo career was the number one goal at that time and if t.A.T.u. was going to reunite, it would only be for small things like commercials and concerts.

On 27 September 2013, t.A.T.u. performed a concert in Kyiv, Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://viva.ua/ru/starcolumn/poster/20849-tatu-v-kieve-gromkoe-vossoedinenie-legendarnoy-gruppi.html |title=в Киеве: громкое воссоединение легендарной группы! |language=ru |publisher=[[Viva (magazine)|Viva.ua]] |date=7 June 2013 |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> Shortly thereafter they wore their schoolgirls outfits from their first album again for a [[Snickers]] Japanese advertisement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/10/17/video-pop-duo-tatu-featured-in-japanese-snickers-promo |title=VIDEO: Pop Duo t.A.T.u Featured in Japanese Snickers Promo |first=Scott |last=Green |publisher=[[Crunchyroll]] |date=18 October 2013 |access-date=10 October 2022}}</reF> Whilst in Japan they also performed "All the Things She Said" live in Tokyo. They also briefly reunited for a series of short concerts and television appearances in Russia between October and December 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://staroetv.su/articles/ntv-vozrodit-gruppu-tatu-na-odin-vecher-v-specproekte-t-a-t-u-zhizn-kak-pesnya-video |title=НТВ возродит группу ТАТУ на один вечер в спецпроекте «t.A.T.u. Жизнь как песня» (Видео)
 |language=ru |date = 14 November 2013 |access-date = 29 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCm53fDbbTeH_OZ-uviFOeykCLsdNSIEE |title=t.A.T.u. - Reunion 2012/2013 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>

The duo performed before the [[2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony]] of the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] Opening Ceremony in [[Sochi]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/07/opening-ceremony-tatu-winter-games-putin-nbc/5275179/|title=Sochi opening ceremony goes from Tchaikovsky to tATu
 |newspaper=USA Today |date= 7 February 2014 |access-date=7 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/07/tatu-performing-sochi-winter-olympics
|title=Pop duo t.A.T.u. reportedly performing at Sochi Winter Olympic
 |newspaper=The Guardian |date= 7 February 2014 |access-date=7 February 2014}}</ref> along with piano virtuoso [[Denis Matsuev]] and opera soprano [[Anna Netrebko]], who also performed the Olympic anthem.<ref name="Pseudo-lesbians, ballet, in Sochi Olympics opening">{{cite web |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/fake-lesbian-duo-tatu-to-perform-at-sochi-opener-020714 |title=Russia kicks off Sochi Games with hope and hubris |last1=Wilson |first1=Stephen |last2=Krawczynski |first2=Jon |date=7 February 2014 |work=[[Fox Sports]] |access-date=8 February 2014}}</ref>  Media reports expressed confusion at this performance, given that there is a lack of [[LGBT rights in Russia]], especially since the much politicized [[Russian LGBT propaganda law|Russian law banning gay propaganda]] aimed at minors that is being used to promote family values.<ref>CBC Newsworld, CBC Morning News, airdate 7 February 2014 @ circa 8:40am EST</ref> The ceremony's director, Konstantin Ernst, said t.A.T.u.'s "Not Gonna Get Us" was chosen because it's one of the few Russian pop songs that international viewers might recognize.

Shortly after performing at the Olympics, the group announced a new single, "Lyubov v Kazhdom Mgnovenii" ("Love in Every Moment").<ref>{{cite web|title=t.A.T.u. Announces Official Comeback, New Single Due This Friday|website=Popdust|date=2014-02-12|access-date=2024-07-27|url=https://www.popdust.com/tatu-announces-official-comeback-new-single-due-this-friday-1889834072.html|archive-date=2019-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923174805/https://www.popdust.com/tatu-announces-official-comeback-new-single-due-this-friday-1889834072.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song features Russian rapper [[Ligalize]] and Canadian musician [[Mike Tompkins (musician)|Mike Tompkins]].

On 17 February 2014, Katina posted a video message on her official YouTube channel stating that she would no longer be working with Volkova and that t.A.T.u. was once again no longer a group.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/7zYvKwFQWvs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140218071053/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zYvKwFQWvs&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zYvKwFQWvs|title=Обращение Лены Катиной к поклонникам (18.02.14)|date=17 February 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, on 20 February, Volkova posted a video message saying that there is "no big reunion" but t.A.T.u. were having "joint projects". She also criticized Katina's "meaning" behind the video and confirmed that they would be shooting the video for the new single.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/JRpH7balnfw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140701063323/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRpH7balnfw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRpH7balnfw|title=Julia Volkova: Everything is ok between me and Lena Katina.|date=20 February 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 5 March 2014, Volkova posted another video message on her official YouTube channel in response to Katina's video. She stated that despite "reasons of severe trepidation on the part of Lena about [Volkova] and [her] behavior," collaboration between the two was possible, referring to the release of their new single as well as their music video.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/oj842cIthR8 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140706143610/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj842cIthR8 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj842cIthR8|title=Appeal to fans of Julia Volkova (English Subs) 05.03.14|date=5 March 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 6 April 2014, the music video to "Love in Every Moment" was released to the Cornetto Ru page on YouTube, in which Katina and Volkova filmed their scenes apart.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1csGuLoLsrQ| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408030405/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1csGuLoLsrQ| archive-date=2014-04-08 | url-status=dead|title=Юля Волкова & Лена Катина & Лигалайз & Майк Томпкинс - Любовь в каждом мгновении|date=6 April 2014|via=YouTube}}</ref> Towards the end of the video, Volkova is shown interacting with a body double of Katina, with the latter's face obscured.  The song is part of the "A Sight of Cupid" project which contains several short films about love. In the short film "Together Apart" the duo were portrayed as cupids. On 22 May 2014, both singers introduced the film at the Cannes Film Festival. Due to their conflict and in keeping with Katina's wishes to not interact with Volkova, both singers had separate interviews with reporters. Volkova announced during an interview with the Italian press that the film would be the last collaborative work between her and Katina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leggo.it/NEWS/ESTERI/tatu_cannes_sochi_russia_paese_libero_pussy_riot/notizie/703085.shtml|title=Le Tatu a Cannes dopo Sochi: "La Russia è un paese libero. Non ci importa nulla delle Pussy Riot|language=it|access-date=22 May 2014
|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203116/http://www.leggo.it/NEWS/ESTERI/tatu_cannes_sochi_russia_paese_libero_pussy_riot/notizie/703085.shtml|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Despite tensions, a petition dubbed "#tATuComeback" was circulated throughout popular social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, in the hopes that the former duo would resolve their conflicts and return with their long-awaited comeback as they had originally planned.

On 19 May 2016, the duo met publicly again at the 25th anniversary celebration of the children's musical group [[Neposedy]], which both were a part of before the formation of t.A.T.u. There, together with the children, Katina and Volkova unexpectedly performed "Nas Ne Dogonyat" ("Not Gonna Get Us").<ref>[http://neposedi.ru/2016/05/20/neposedy-s-razmahom-otmetili-svoyo-25-letie-v-luzhnikah/ «Непоседы» с размахом отметили своё 25-летие в Лужниках] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603235353/http://neposedi.ru/2016/05/20/neposedy-s-razmahom-otmetili-svoyo-25-letie-v-luzhnikah/ |date=3 June 2016 }}</ref> However, the artists—appearing distant and detached on stage—maintained a noticeable physical and emotional separation, seemingly ignoring each other throughout the event.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=29 July 2025 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807090505/http://ru.hellomagazine.com/zvezdy/novosti-o-zvezdakh/15342-yulya-volkova-i-lena-katina-speli-vmeste-spustya-5-let-posle-raspada-t-a-t-u.html |date=20 May 2016 |language=ru |publisher=[[Hello! (magazine)|Hello! Russia]] |title=Юля Волкова и Лена Катина спели вместе спустя 5 лет после распада t.A.T.u. |url=http://ru.hellomagazine.com/zvezdy/novosti-o-zvezdakh/15342-yulya-volkova-i-lena-katina-speli-vmeste-spustya-5-let-posle-raspada-t-a-t-u.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 8 June 2021, a lengthy interview and documentary about t.A.T.u.'s story titled "ТАТУ: 20 лет спустя! Главная российская группа в мире" was published on YouTube on journalist [[Ksenia Sobchak]]'s channel. The documentary discussed the formation of the group, its past controversies and Katina's and Volkova's personal and career developments after t.A.T.u. It also included interviews of former t.A.T.u. producer Ivan Shapovalov and Lena Katina's mother. Katina and Volkova were interviewed separately, as Katina rejected a common interview. The interview/documentary was the most trending video on Russian YouTube the day after it was published.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/b-lvHKc8_9k Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210608085916/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-lvHKc8_9k Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-lvHKc8_9k|title=ТАТУ: 20 лет спустя! Главная российская группа в мире|date=9 June 2021|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===2022–present: Return to the stage===
[[File:Tatu2022 (cropped).jpg|thumb|t.A.T.u. performing in [[Minsk]], 2022]]
Katina announced that t.A.T.u. would return to the stage in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Emma |title=Nostalgia alert - t.A.T.u are staging a reunion next year |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/06/tatu-reunion-all-the-things-she-said-singer-set-for-2022-comeback-15373190/ |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=Metro |date=6 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> They had participated in the t.A.T.u. tribute concert which was originally supposed to be in 2021. However, due to [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the music industry|persistent issues]] with the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic]], they decided to postpone until spring 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Media |first1=tATu |title=t.A.T.u. "200 Po Vstrechnoi" Tribute Concert |url=https://tatu-media.com/tatu-tribute-concert/ |access-date=29 July 2022 |work=fansite |date=July 6, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In September 2022, Katina and Volkova performed together under the name t.A.T.u. at the [[Dinamo Stadium (Minsk)|Dinamo Stadium]] in Minsk as part of the Ovion Show event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20220905/tatu-1814445300.html|title=Группа "Тату" воссоединилась в Минске для выступления|trans-title=The group t.A.T.u. reunited in Minsk for a performance|website=[[RIA Novosti]]|location=Russia|date=5 September 2022|access-date=6 April 2023|language=ru-RU}}</ref> This was followed by another performance at a sporting event at the Gazprom Stadium in Saint-Petersburg in May 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20230424/tatu-1867329890.html|title=Группа "Тату" воссоединится в мае|trans-title=The group t.A.T.u. will reunite in May|website=[[RIA Novosti]]|location=Russia|date=24 April 2023|access-date=15 May 2023|language=ru-RU}}</ref> In July 2025, they reunited again to perform at the Mriya Resort in Yalta, [[Crimea]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Victoria|last=Razumova|url=https://ura.news/news/1052960200|title=Представители «Тату» не смогли ответить, что группа будет петь в Крыму|trans-title=t.A.T.u.'s representatives could not provide answers about what the band will sing in Crimea|website={{ill|Ura.ru|ru|Ура.ру}}|date=7 July 2025|access-date=9 July 2025|language=ru-RU}}</ref> which is [[International reactions to the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|internationally recognised as part of Ukraine]].

==Artistry and controversies==

===Public image===
[[File:Группа Тату 2.jpg|thumb|right|t.A.T.u. kissing during a concert in [[Moscow]], October 2005]]
Throughout their career, the group received criticism, particularly after the release of "All the Things She Said". In his [[AllMusic]] review of ''200 km/h in the Wrong Lane'', [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] labelled the band as an "exceptionally tawdry gimmick".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://allmusic.com/album/200-kmh-in-the-wrong-lane-r608759 |title=200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane |last=Erlewine| first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |work=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=10 April 2012}}</ref> In 2003, after the release of their video of "All the Things She Said", some UK presenters campaigned to ban the video worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/2718835.stm |title=Controversial duo top UK pop chart |author=BBC Music News |date=2 February 2003 |access-date=10 October 2012 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Despite subsequent reports that the [[BBC]] had banned the video from their pre-[[Watershed (broadcasting)|watershed]] programme ''[[Top of the Pops]]'', the BBC quickly denied the ban, stating only that they had better footage to show.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2723941.stm |title=BBC denies Tatu video ban |author=BBC Music News |date=4 February 2003 |access-date=10 October 2012 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

Just before the recording of their third studio album ''Dangerous and Moving'', it was announced that Volkova was pregnant. This led to critics accusing the girls of being "fake" lesbians, although Katina and Volkova had said in the past they were not "together" or "in a relationship".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/06/14/1055220813616.html |title=Tatu bad to be true |date=14 June 2003 |work=[[The Age]] |access-date=10 April 2012 |location=Melbourne}}</ref>

The group have appeared on ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}}s Top 50 Richest Stars of Russia twice, ranking sixth in 2006, with an estimated income of $3.3 million, and thirty-sixth in 2007, with an income of $1.4 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tatulife.ru/?en/page/news/1526 |title=t.A.T.u. L.I.F.E.: Digest > News |publisher=Tatulife.ru |access-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112192535/http://tatulife.ru/?en%2Fpage%2Fnews%2F1526 |archive-date=12 November 2013 }}</ref> The group received the [[FHM]] Special Award for being the Top 100 Sexiest Woman. Both Katina and Volkova have been ranked on ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' Russia's Top 100 Sexiest Girls, with Katina at fifty-three and Volkova at fifteen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.tatu.ru/Media/images/Maxim_100_best_Lena_web.jpg |title=Maxim Magazine Blog |language=ru |publisher=Blog.tatu.ru |access-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727162716/http://blog.tatu.ru/Media/images/Maxim_100_best_Lena_web.jpg |archive-date=27 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.tatu.ru/Media/images/Maxim_100_best_Julia_web.jpg |title=Maxim Magazine Blog |language=ru |publisher=Blog.tatu.ru |access-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727162644/http://blog.tatu.ru/Media/images/Maxim_100_best_Julia_web.jpg |archive-date=27 July 2011 }}</ref> The group also appeared on the cover of ''Maxim''.<ref name="askmen"/>

===Cancellations of concerts controversy===
Between the years of 2002 and 2004, t.A.T.u. caused controversy for cancelling several concerts and tours around the world. In March 2003, the group announced dates for their "Show Me Love Promo Tour" in the United Kingdom. However the next month, just days before they were due to perform, the group dropped the dates and did not perform at the concert, due to poor ticket sales.<ref name="bbctickets"/> [[BBC News]] stated that only a fraction of the tickets were sold for the concert and said the stadiums (held in [[London]] and [[Manchester]]) had capacities of around 10,000.<ref name="bbctickets"/> A spokesman from their label, Interscope, did not understand why the cancellation took place.

In May 2003, t.A.T.u.'s management were sued by the promoters EEM Group for the cancellations of the concerts. EEM sued their management for £300,000, claiming they put "unachievable and numerous obstacles" in the way of ticket sales for the shows. They also claimed that Volkova's illness was a reason for the cancellation; however, due to the lack of evidence, the lawsuit was discarded.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/tatu/14181 |title=Tatu Sued! |date=1 May 2003 |work=[[NME]] |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref> After the lawsuit, the group also cancelled their Asian promo tour for Japan and China, due to Volkova's sickness, stating that she needed urgent surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=698_0_5_0 |title=TATU - News - The promo-tour in Japan has been cancelled |publisher=Eng.tatysite.net |date=18 April 2003 |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref> The same month, the group postponed their German Promo tour, due to a late invitation to the 2003 [[MTV Movie Awards]], where they performed.<ref name="eng.tatysite.net"/> The following month they also cancelled their Riga concert, which led to a lawsuit from Pasadena Group Promotion, asking $180,000 in damages, as they did not receive any official letters regarding the cancellation.<ref>[http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=930_0_5_0 "Another lawsuit -- t.A.T.u. cancellations in Riga"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112183342/http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=930_0_5_0 |date=12 November 2013 }}. This is an archive from ''The Daily Telegraph''.</ref>

While promoting their studio album ''[[Dangerous and Moving]]'', the group cancelled their appearances in Chile due to poor ticket sales and the withdrawal of one of the Chilean sponsors.<ref>[http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=2093_0_5_0 Tatu's visit in Chile is cancelled] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193258/http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=2093_0_5_0 |date=29 October 2013}}. Archive report at eng.tatysite.net.</ref> One month later, the group cancelled their tour at the last minute, due to inadequate stage preparation and poor ticket sales.<ref>[http://tatu-tour.net/180806.php Archive reported at t.A.T.u. - TOUR.NET] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220118/http://tatu-tour.net/180806.php |date=3 March 2016}}. 18 August 2006.</ref> In September 2009, several dates in Russia were cancelled due to the 22 July [[Tupolev Tu-154 plane crash]].{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

====''Music Station'' incident====

On 27 June 2003, t.A.T.u. made their first appearance on Japanese television through the live music program ''[[Music Station]]'' as part of their promotional tour, but they abruptly left the show mid-air after the opening credits,<ref name="sankei 2003-06-29">{{cite news | url=http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200306/gt2003062901.html | title=タトゥー暴挙にテレ朝キレた…宇多田も出入り禁止か | trans-title=TV Asahi furious over t.A.T.u.'s outrageous actions... will even Utada be banned from appearing? | language=ja | work=[[Sankei Sports]] | date=2003-06-29 | access-date=2025-08-19 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030804032247/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200306/gt2003062901.html | archive-date=2003-08-04}}</ref> following a phone call from Shapovalov to t.A.T.u. informing them his refusal to allow their performance.<ref name="theage 2003-06-28">{{cite news | url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/ta-tu-unreliable-and-not-so-big-in-japan-20030628-gdvyex.html | title=Ta-tu unreliable and not so big in Japan | language=ja | work=[[The Age]] | date=2003-06-28 | access-date=2025-08-19 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602112220/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/ta-tu-unreliable-and-not-so-big-in-japan-20030628-gdvyex.html | archive-date=2022-06-02}}</ref><ref name="sankei 2003-07-02">{{cite news | url=http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200307/gt2003070201.html | title=テレ朝、タトゥーを痛烈批判…騒動で損害賠償請求も | trans-title=TV Asahi scathingly criticizes t.A.T.u.... demands compensation for controversy | language=ja | work=[[Sankei Sports]] | date=2003-07-02 | access-date=2025-08-19 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030804012206/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200307/gt2003070201.html | archive-date=2003-08-04}}</ref> On 28 June 2003, Shapovalov and t.A.T.u. held a press conference, where Shapovalov had reportedly felt that the outfits that [[TV Asahi]], the broadcasting station of ''Music Station'', had provided for t.A.T.u were too revealing, and he was concerned for their privacy.<ref name="theage 2003-06-28"/> In addition, he was concerned about the "lack of communication" about the show's format.<ref name="sankei 2003-07-02"/> Shapovalov and t.A.T.u. initially had believed that t.A.T.u. would be the only performer on the episode and felt uncomfortable sharing their air time with other Japanese artists.<ref name="sankei 2003-06-30">{{cite news | url=http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200307/gt2003070201.html | title=タトゥーふざけるな、ナメきった“釈明会見” | trans-title=Don't mess around, t.A.T.u... the "press conference" was a complete joke | language=ja | work=[[Sankei Sports]] | date=2003-06-30 | access-date=2025-08-19 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704111239/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200306/gt2003063001.html | archive-date=2003-07-04}}</ref>

[[Universal Music Japan|Universal Music KK]], t.A.T.u.'s Japanese label, issued an apology;<ref name="sankei 2003-06-29"/> Shapovalov and t.A.T.u., on the other hand, refused to apologize.<ref name="sydney 2003-07-01">{{cite news | url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/russian-pop-duo-t-a-t-u-panned-in-japan-20030701-gdh0pt.html | title=Russian pop duo t.A.T.u. panned in Japan | work=[[Associated Press]] | via=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date=2003-07-01 | accessdate=2025-08-19 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815174939/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/russian-pop-duo-t-a-t-u-panned-in-japan-20030701-gdh0pt.html | archive-date=2020-08-15}}</ref><ref name="sankei 2003-06-30"/><ref name="irishexaminer 2003-06-30">{{cite news | url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30104353.html | title=TATu hit low note with Japanese | work=[[Irish Examiner]] | date=2003-06-30 | accessdate=2025-08-19}}</ref> t.A.T.u. also cancelled a Japanese concert in the same month.<ref name="sankei 2003-06-30"/><ref name="irishexaminer 2003-06-30"/> Japanese media heavily criticized t.A.T.u. over the incident, as well as their behavior during the press conference, which they perceived as disrespectful.<ref name="sydney 2003-07-01"/><ref name="irishexaminer 2003-06-30"/> TV Asahi, in particular, had already been reportedly unhappy after t.A.T.u. had previously cancelled their appearance on ''Music Station'' earlier in April despite that commercials promoting them had already been broadcast.<ref name="sankei 2003-06-29"/> They lodged a complaint against [[Universal Music Japan|Universal Music KK]] (t.A.T.u.'s
Japanese label), threatening to ban any artist associated with the label from appearing on the show.<ref name="sankei 2003-06-29"/> They later launched a lawsuit against Universal Music KK in July 2003 for damages and banned t.A.T.u. from future appearances on ''Music Station''.<ref name="sankei 2003-07-02"/> Japanese comedian [[Tamori]], the host of ''Music Station'', stated in 2021 that out of the 34 years he had hosted the show, t.A.T.u.'s refusal to perform was the most memorable to him.<ref name="asahi 2021-11-15">{{cite news | first=Kazuhiro | last=Sekine | url=https://globe.asahi.com/article/14481682 | title=ロシアのタトゥー2人が明かしたドタキャンの真相　タモリさん「番組で一番印象的」 | trans-title=Russian duo t.A.T.u. clarifies the truth behind their last-minute cancellation, Tamori: "It's the most memorable moment of the show" | language=ja | work=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] | date=2021-11-15 | accessdate=2025-08-19}}</ref>

When t.A.T.u. returned in December 2003 for a two-day concert in [[Tokyo Dome]], half of the seats were empty.<ref name="asahi 2021-11-15"/> In 2004, t.A.T.u. released "[[Gomenasai (song)|Gomenasai]]" as an apology, but it failed to gain traction in Japan.<ref name="asahi 2021-11-15"/><ref name="asahi 2021-11-15 2">{{cite news | first=Kazuhiro | last=Sekine | url=https://globe.asahi.com/article/14481703 | title=ロシアのタトゥー「ドタキャン、謝りたい」プロデューサーに服従状態、後悔の日々 | trans-title=Russian duo t.A.T.u.: "We want to apologize for the last-minute cancellation"; controlled by their producer, days of regret | language=ja | work=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] | date=2021-11-15 | accessdate=2025-08-19}}</ref> In 2013, through an interview with ''[[The Asahi Shimbun]]'', Katina and Volkova stated that Shapovalov had ordered them to leave ''Music Station'' to create "controversy" in hopes of them getting more media attention, and, as they were young, they did not fully understand his actions at the time.<ref name="asahi 2021-11-15"/><ref name="asahi 2021-11-15 2"/> While the strategy had some success in Russia and Europe, it failed in Japan due to cultural differences.<ref name="asahi 2021-11-15"/><ref name="asahi 2021-11-15 2"/> They stated that they regretted the incident and apologized.<ref name="asahi 2021-11-15"/><ref name="asahi 2021-11-15 2"/> Following the article's publishing, public opinion of t.A.T.u. began to improve in Japan, and they appeared in a [[Snickers]] commercial in the same year.<ref name="oricon 2013-10-17">{{cite news | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2029808/full/ | title=お騒がせデュオ・t.A.T.u、7年ぶり来日に歓喜 ドタキャンから10年で生歌披露  | trans-title=Controversial duo t.A.T.u. celebrates their first appearance in Japan in seven years, sings live 10 years since their last-minute cancellation | language=ja | work=[[Oricon]] | date=2013-10-17 | accessdate=2025-08-19}}</ref><ref name="oricon 2013-10-17 2">{{cite news | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2029808/full/ | title=【動画】t.A.T.u、ドタキャン『Mステ』の再出演懇願「また出たい」 | trans-title=(Video) t.A.T.u. pleads for a re-appearance on ''Music Station'', which they had cancelled at the last minute; "We want to come on the show again" | language=ja | work=[[Oricon]] | date=2013-10-17 | accessdate=2025-08-19}}</ref>

===Legacy===
"All the Things She Said"  was ranked at number 452 in ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' magazine's "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born".<ref>[http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=1761 The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323002146/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=1761 |date=23 March 2009 }}</ref> The song was listed at number 8 on the ''[[AOL]]'''s Top 100 Pop Songs of the Decade.<ref>{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Sara D |url=http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/01/04/top-pop-songs-of-the-decade/ |title=Top Pop Songs of the Decade |publisher=AOL Radio Blog |access-date=9 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411024624/http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/01/04/top-pop-songs-of-the-decade/ |archive-date=11 April 2012 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Rebecca Bary from ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' listed the song at number five on their Top Ten Best Singles of 2003.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=3541264 | work=The New Zealand Herald | title=The best pop singles of 2003 | date=27 December 2003}}</ref> Bill Lamb from ''[[About.com]]'' listed the song on his Top 100 Pop Songs of 2003 at number 31 and on his Top 10 Contemporary Girl Group Songs at number ten.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://top40.about.com/od/top100lists/ss/top100songs2003_7.htm |title=Top 100 Pops Songs of 2003 |publisher=Top40.about.com |access-date=19 January 2013 |archive-date=20 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120104859/http://top40.about.com/od/top100lists/ss/top100songs2003_7.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2008, the group received the MTV Legend award by MTV Russia. The group is the most successful Russian musical export of all time.<ref name="cherrytree">{{cite web |author=Cherrytree on |url=http://www.cherrytreerecords.com/profiles/blogs/cherrytree-to-reissue-200km-h-in-the-wrong-lane-with-unreleased-s |title=Cherrytree to Reissue "200km/h In The Wrong Lane" with Unreleased Song "A Simple Motion" and Special Remixes |publisher=Cherrytree Records |date=2 October 2012 |access-date=19 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008001237/http://www.cherrytreerecords.com/profiles/blogs/cherrytree-to-reissue-200km-h-in-the-wrong-lane-with-unreleased-s |archive-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Katina stated to [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'' Magazine]]; "People will remember us for great songs, being free, taking life as it is and not being afraid of anything, [There were] provocative images of two girls kissing each other, but the second thing was the really great music."<ref>Billboard Magazine. Retrieved on 27 January 2013, [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472212/tatu-calls-it-quits-following-release-of-remix-album T.A.T.u. Calls It Quits Following Release of Remix Album | Billboard] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104210641/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472212/tatu-calls-it-quits-following-release-of-remix-album |date=4 January 2016 }}.</ref> In 2006, both women were awarded "Woman of the Year" by GQ's Person of the Year Awards, but were not awarded under the band name.<ref>[http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=2315_0_5_0 "GQ" Person of the Year on CTC TV channel] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055019/http://eng.tatysite.net/news/archive.php?id=2315_0_5_0 |date=4 March 2016}}. 30 September 2006.</ref>

==Productions and T.A. Music==
When t.A.T.u. was first formed by Shapovalov, ''Neformat'' was created as the group's production company, with Shapovalov and Renski at the head. In 2004, the company was dissolved when t.A.T.u. left Shapovalov.

Since 2005, T.A. Music has been the Moscow-based production company of t.A.T.u. The liner notes that accompanied the release of ''[[Dangerous and Moving]]'' said that the company was composed of t.A.T.u., Boris Renski, Dasha Mischenko, and Andrey Artischev. After t.A.T.u. broke ties with Universal Music in 2006, it was announced in 2008 that T.A. Music would become the duo's record label, although only currently in the Russian market.  ''[[Vesyolye Ulybki]]'' was released internationally on iTunes through the T.A. Music label. T.A. Music also now acts as the label and management company for Lena Katina's solo project.

==Members==
* [[Lena Katina]] – vocals <small>(1999–2011)</small>
* [[Julia Volkova]] – vocals <small>(1999–2011)</small>

'''Backing band members'''
* Sven Martin – keyboards, synthesizer, programming, piano, backing vocals, musical director <small>(2002–2011)</small>
* Troy MacCubbin – guitars, backing vocals <small>(2002–2010)</small>
* Matthew Venslauskas – guitars <small>(2010–2011)</small>
* Roman Ratej – drums <small>(2003–2006)</small>
* [[Steve "Boomstick" Wilson]] – drums <small>(2006–2011)</small>
* Domen Vajevec – bass, keyboard <small>(2006–2011)</small>

==Discography==
{{Main|t.A.T.u. discography}}
<!--Do not sort albums by language; they are all part of t.A.T.u.'s body of work and do not represent different discographies-->
* ''[[200 Po Vstrechnoy]]'' (2001)
* ''[[200 km/h in the Wrong Lane]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Dangerous and Moving]]'' (2005)
* ''Lyudi Invalidy'' (2005)
* ''[[Vesyolye Ulybki]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Waste Management (album)|Waste Management]]'' (2009)

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Anatomy of t.A.T.u.]]''
| rowspan="4"|Themselves
| TV documentary
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Podnebesnaya|t.A.T.u. v Podnebesnoy]]''
| TV series
|-
| 2008
| ''[[You and I (2008 film)|You and I]]''
| [[Cameo appearance|Cameo]]
|-
| TBD
| ''t.A.T.u: Behind the Stars''
| [[Cameo appearance|Cameo]]
|}

==Tours==
* ''[[200 Po Vstrechnoy#Promotion|200 Po Vstrechnoy Tour]]'' (2001–2002)
* ''[[200 km/h in the Wrong Lane#Tour|Show Me Love Tour]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Dangerous and Moving#Dangerous and Moving Tour (2005–2006)|Dangerous and Moving Tour]]'' (2005–2006)

==See also==

* [[Russian pop|Russian pop music]]

* [[List of all-female bands]]

==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|commons=category:T.A.T.u.|n=no|v=no|voy=no|b=no|q=T.A.T.u.|species=no|wikt=no|mw=no|d=Q161723|s=no}}
* {{Discogs artist|t.A.T.u.}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Premier Ministr|Prime Minister]]<br>with "[[Northern Girl (Prime Minister song)|Northern Girl]]"}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest]]|years=[[Eurovision Song Contest 2003|2003]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Yulia Savicheva]]<br>with "[[Believe Me (Yulia Savicheva song)|Believe Me]]"}}
{{s-end}}
{{Tatu}}
{{Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest |state=autocollapse}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2003 |state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tatu}}
[[Category:T.A.T.u.| ]]
[[Category:English-language musical groups from Russia]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-themed musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2011]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Moscow]]
[[Category:Russian dance groups]]
[[Category:Russian girl groups]]
[[Category:Pop girl groups]]
[[Category:Russian pop music groups]]
[[Category:Rock girl groups]]
[[Category:Dance girl groups]]
[[Category:Synth-pop groups]]
[[Category:World Music Awards winners]]
[[Category:Electronic music duos]]
[[Category:All-female electronic bands]]
[[Category:Female musical duos]]
[[Category:Russian musical duos]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Russia]]
[[Category:Pop music duos]]
[[Category:Winners of the Golden Gramophone Award]]
[[Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants]]

title: Background information

Origin: Moscow, Russia

Genres: Pop pop rock Europop electronic

Labels: Neformat Interscope Universal Music Russia Soyuz

title: t.A.T.u.

Studio albums: 200 Po Vstrechnoy 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane Dangerous and Moving Lyudi Invalidy Vesyolye Ulybki Waste Management

Compilations: t.A.T.u. Remixes The Best

Singles: " All the Things She Said " " Not Gonna Get Us " " How Soon Is Now? " " All About Us " " Friend or Foe " " Gomenasai "

Promotional singles: " Show Me Love " " 30 Minutes " " Ne ver, ne boysya " " Loves Me Not "

Other songs: " A Simple Motion "

Video releases: Screaming for More

Filmography: Anatomy of t.A.T.u. Podnebesnaya

Related articles: Discography Awards and nominations Podnebesnaya No. 1 " Khuy Voyne! " You and I Ivan Shapovalov Eurovision Song Contest 2003 Russia Neposedy