If you can think back five years, you might have a hazy memory of a Russian pop duo called t.A.T.u.
t.A.T.u was made up of two teen girls, Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova. They sang catchy songs, but captured audiences with their "lesbian" antics; making out on stage and posing as a couple.
In 2003, the ruse was exposed. They two weren't actually lesbians. Rather they were just looking for an edge. And in a world where pop stars are a dime a dozen, they (well, more likely their manager) decided to capitalize on the sexualization of lesbians.
You might think it's well past the time to write these two off, but their situation is somewhat unique. Mainly, that's because they come from Russia, a country which has long been hostile to the GLBT community. Homophobia and gay-bashing are common and Moscow's mayor even went so far as to ban gay pride parades in his city.
The pair has come clean about not being gay, but they have also maintained ties to the gay community. For example, they attended banned gay pride parades and events, and have spoken up about gay rights.
As Lena said in a recent interview, "If boys like boys or girls like girls, so what? We're all people – we tried to show people that there's no need to pressurise or ostracise people because of it. The situation is still bad but it has got better."
So what's up next for the group? First they have a new album coming out next month. Following that, they feature in a Mischa Barton movie called, You and I, which tells the story of two girls who fall in love online while bonding over their shared obsession with, you guessed it, t.A.T.u.
Sexualizing lesbians is nothing new. What do you think about it in this situation?
Image (c) Gareth Cattermole
I think these two girls did/do a wonderful job of representing lesbians in situations many will actually find themselves in, just by being gay women. I think they popularized the “OK” that greater society has towards the teen lesbian community ingeneral…and this is great regardless of where it comes from. Lesbians or not… they represent, in their music, a definate facet of lesbian sexuality.
Thanks for the interesting read!
Lawl. It’s funny that they had to come out as straight. I’ve always joked about that, but I never thought it actually could happen. Anyway, TATU has an amazing sound (from what heard All THe Things She Said). I really didn’t notice it was referring to a girl until after I had fallen in love with the song.
i am a lesbian and as much as i see what theyve done for the gay community it is also a little messed up that they would pretend to be something there not. i dont dislike them for it infact im upsest with there music and there music is true i just wished ppl didnt use this kind of stuff to get there edge anyways i love there music that will never change
Wow that is so weird.. I fell in love with my girlfriend trow the Internet while listening to u and I, hehe well it dosent matter i still look up to them even if they Are not lesbians (I’m bi)! But it was shocking when they came out clean though.
AQGJCT You’ve hit the ball out the park! Incredible!
I’ve been listening to t.A.T.u for years now… luckily I know Russian and English. Even though they only pretended to be lesbians (Julia, the brunet, had had a relationship with a girl when she was younger) – they’ve done so much for the gay community… so many gays and lesbians said that t.A.T.u’s songs and their views saved their lives… just means that their lie was a “good” one, a one that saved souls. Besides, their music’s just awesome
Well .. I’ve alwayz loved the TaTu girlz!! They’re obviously talented, they have anazing voices, and the music is awesome !! I fell in love with their songs & never knew they were reffering to lesbians life until I watched the official videos. I think that the whole lie about them being lesbians was only made for 2 reasons. First, to get them famous quickly. Second, to encourage gay people raise their voices up & not be afraid of what they are. This lie did it’s job as well as plannes I suppose, yet not for so long.
It still seems funny to me sometimez when I think of how they both ended as straight or bi with BFs, inspite of all the pretended-fighting they did in the sake of preventing their “love”!!
No matter what, TaTu is a great band & I’ll alwayz love them for their talent <3 !!