Home » Archives » May 2009 » OK! magazine interview

05/15/2009: "OK! magazine interview"

Source: Tatu.ru/forum

Thanks to Ocean Soul (tatu.ru/forum).

And now after 10 years, what do you remember most often?
Lena: I remember the very beginning. That was perfect time, not much work. We were living with each other. Yul'ka in my place, and I in her place. We were wandering with friends through the city till 4 am and then we would lie to our parents that we were in the studio.
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Do you already know when and how celebrate your anniversary?

Lena: Frankly speaking no. But we gonna celebrate it, that’s correct. I think it will be in the autumn.

Yulia: Actually, there’s no much variants. Or it will be concert or simply a party. On which we’ll invite all of our friends and most active fans. It will be clearer later.

And now after 10 years, what do you remember most often?

Lena: I remember the very beginning. That was perfect time, not much work. We were living with each other. Yul’ka in my place, and I in her place. We were wandering with friends through the city till 4 am and then we would lie to our parents that we were in the studio. We would walk with company through the center of Moscow and then me and Yulia would go in my place. We’d silently open the door so that we won’t wake up my mom and we wouldn’t turn on the lights. And then Volkova would say ’’I want to eat’’ and then I’d answer “So where’s the problem, go to the kitchen and eat’’ . I never thought she’d destroy all what contents of the fridge. Even my mom’s sandwiches she prepared for the work. She ate 10 pieces! So skinny and so voracious! Simply awful!

Yulia: I also remember those times. We would be happy as kids every day! We’d constantly go to visit someone, we’d meet new people and had fun. I remember we once returned from somewhere in the morning, sat in the yard of Lenka’s place and started to sing out loud the song “Oy to ne vecher, to ne vecher, mne malim malo spalos’’ Woke everyone up.

I remember the period when your studio was in the hotel “Pekin’’. This was the most authentic house of narkomans. Shapovalov’s acquaintances kept coming without an end. They smoked something, sniffed something…

Yulia: Well, show business is in general unhealthy enviroment. There are few sober and adequate people. Is this something new for you?

No, and how did you manage to get through this?

Yulia: You just have to arrange your priorities. For example I always wanted to look good, for me it was important. Looking at all those still young people looking as if they were 40 years old because of their lifestyle. I realized I don’t want to turn into this with time. Of course, in life everything’s interesting to try, but you should be able to stop yourself in time.

And did you try something?

Yulia: Just an experiment, nothing more.

Lena: In fact, whatever happened to us during this 10 years is mostly positive. I remember awfully stressful period when we had so many public appearances, sometimes even 3 in a day. We didn’t manage to wash or to eat before getting in another plane, we’d be wildly tired. But now it’s nice to remember even that. Actually, if I could go back in that time I wouldn’t change anything. Not even one situation. Because now I’m more than happy! Something like that just doesn’t exist!

Of those with whom you started – Ivan Shapovalov, Aleksandr Voitinskiy, Lena Kiper, are you seeing now any of them?

Yulia: Unfortunately no. Tho we’ve seen Vanya not long ago, last autumn. He came to Bacardi Party on which me and Lena performed. I think he didn’t come by accident. He probably wanted to see how’s t.A.T.u. today. I’ve noticed him from the scene, although he was quite far and I told him ’’Hello’’ on the microphone. But then we didn’t even talk.

Lena: And the rest we hadn’t seen for 100 years already! Time changes, we change.

Shortly, what has changed within each of you?

Yulia: First what comes on my mind: I became mother. It was a revoloution of consciousness. As before I live only for myself, lived exclusively with emotions. I’m a very impulsive person. And after the birth of the baby, I started to think about every step I make. And I wasn’t always late anymore (Laughing). Even though I can’t get rid of this habit. Even if I’m late for an hour, I say I’ll be there in 10 minutes.

Lena: My character changed completely. Not that someone told me this – I just feel it. I became much more rigid, tough. What is called, no longer a girl.

No one calls you by your patronymic?

Lena: Thanks God no! For everyone I’m still simply Lena and Volkova – simply Yulya. Even Yulia’s children call me Lena.

As I get it, you’re not doing concerts now?

Yulia: We do, but not often.

Maybe time of t.A.T.u. is already gone?

Yulia: I don’t think so. Our time is not gone, it just became different. No more such noise, dramas, but people still want to see and to hear us.

What are you doing all this time in USA, if there are no scheduled concerts?

Lena: I, for example had an eye surgery in San Francisco. I was tired of blinking all the time. Now I’m passing the rehabilitation period.

And you feel good?

Lena: Excellent! Even though my eyes are not still used to everything and they easily get tired, especially in bright light. But I often wear protective glasses. But now I can finally see everything! Faces of people, colours, leaves on the trees. And most of all I’m happy I can watch TV now. Before I literally had to touch screen with my face to see something.

And the surgery was painful?

Lena: Not at all. It was terrible. I had to look at one spot all the time. And the spot was strange: changed colours, then became very sharp… And then suddenly – bang! Comes complete darkness. I have lost my sight – even for a few seconds. I was so scared that I couldn’t breath. But then everything turned out to be fine as it supposed to be.

Yulia, what are you doing in USA now?

Yulia: I’m doing my solo album. I met various producers, choosing songs, even trying to write something. And I want immediately say: Despite this what me and Lena want to do for our solo projects, t.A.T.u. will continue to exist only in light – mode.

Lena: Yulia and I decided that we won’t stand in one place all the time, you should develop. And it’s interesting to see for what things you’re capable when you’re alone. Together is always easier.

Do you already know what will be the style of your new songs?

Lena: I still don’t know.

Yulia: Me neither, the only thing I can say is that it won’t be pop-music, I don’t like all those dances, R’n’B. I still can listen to it, but to do it – no. Boring. On the scene I want action.

When Lena comes to America, she lives in the house of Boris Renskiy, and you Yulia, where do you usually live with Parviz?

Yulia: Right now we live at our common friends’ place. Actually Parviz is in Moscow with children now. In the beginning I wanted to stay in the hotel, but then decided to call friends and ask him to receive me. I hate to be alone, especially in the hotels. I need to communicate. And next time when I come here I hope to live in my own home already. Now we’re actively pursuing the issue of its purchase. In summer I’m planning to move in L.A. finally.

And what means this “finally’’?

Yulia: That means forever. To live there.

Are you serious?

Yulia: Yes. First time I visited USA in 2005 and I really liked it. Even then I had thought it would be nice to live there. And now that thought became stronger.

And what’s there in America, that you can’t find in Russia?

Yulia: Here everything is different. Here is better to raise children, because everything is adapted for it. It’s much safer. It’s better to work with music. All the leading producers and musicians live in the States, and I’m already tired of flying here and there all the time. And in addition to it, here’s the summer all the year. And I can’t live without the sun. I’m very tired of Moscow’s greyness, of those endless parties. Some empty – fast life. And in general it is high time for me to change background.

You’re not afraid that many fans in Russia won’t understand you?

Yulia: No. I don’t even pay attention what somebody will think of me. Normal people, especially those who have children will understand me. And I’m not interested in those who are not normal.

Do you think that during these 10 years the attitude to the idea of “freelove’’ which group t.A.T.u. promoted has changed?

Yulia: Unfortunately nothing has changed. Two years ago me and Lena went to the gay-parade and watched these unfortuante boys beaten to the blood. Cops on the one side, and skinheads on the other. I do not understand how you can maim people just because of the fact that they have a different orientation. That’s simple a savagery. It seems to me that even in undeveloped African countries such things don’t happen. Honestly, that scene strongly influenced me. I had a big desire to leave quickly.

Lena, you’re also planning to leave Russia?

Lena: No way. In that sense, I’m a patriot. I certainly like to be in America, but to live there, no. In Moscow is my mom, dad, sister, friends and close people. If they also go with me, I’d even think about it, but that’s impossible, I have too many friends (Laughing).

Good, you can already afford yourself to choose where to live. By the way, how much you’ve earned in these 10 years of career?

Lena: Honestly, I’ve no idea. I don’t know how much and which accounts is all I have. I made 2 major purchases, an apartment in Moscow, but still there is money. And if I need something I’ll call to check how much money I have and and how to get them.

Yulia: I also don’t know. If I want to buy something I just withdraw the money from the card, but when and how much is there, I don’t know.

On the Internet, there can be found a record of your first press- conference, where you kissed in front of cameras? And when was the last time such kiss happened?

Lena: I don’t remember, we don’t celebrate such days (Laughing). But even now we sometimes kiss, out of the scene. For example when we’re relaxing somewhere together. And then Yulia already has husband, children…

And you’re not going to get married?

Lena: In near future no, on the other hand, “if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans’’ Banal phrase, but no one changed it yet.

And do you have a boyfriend?

Lena: Let’s just forget this question.

Replies: 58 Comments

on Tuesday, May 19th, Kayla said

guys, I agree with what you said, but listen. this is what t.A.T.u. does!! they raise controversy!!! even though we might not agree with them, they are still kinda being their selves. mabey. i dont know. i just feel like defending my favorite band, even though i agree with what most of you had to say.

on Tuesday, May 19th, Brandon said

Yeah, I could appear on another episode, claiming that Yulia gave me a STD... >_>

Anyway, I just noticed that the official site finally posted this article on their media blog.

on Monday, May 18th, liz said

sofia, me too. but this year, they haven't been doing it :(. i hope next year!

on Monday, May 18th, Sofia said

...

I want Jerry beads :3

on Monday, May 18th, liz said

i just thought of this:
here's the plot line: yulia comes on the show, tells lena that she's been sleeping with her boyfriend brandon, and they start fighting. then brandon comes out, and tell lena that yulia seduced him, but she doesn't buy it. parviz then comes out and confronts brandon for sleeping with her. brandon hits the Moonlight Drive on him. then yulia drops a bombshell that she's pregnant, and confesses that she's cheating on both of them with vladimir kozlov, and that he's the father. vladimir comes out, call yulia a slut, then beats up on both brandon and parviz, until Brandon strikes the Morrison pose to activate the slow motion effect. While everything is in slo-mo, Brandon puts a steel chair in Parviz' hands and moves him in front of Kozlov. Kozlov headbutts the chair, sending it crashing into Parviz' face, and knocking out both of them. yulia makes another confession. she's been cheating on all three of the guys with lena. lena admits it to brandon, and she apologizes. to end the story, Brandon flashes his abs to the girls, making Lena realize that Brandon is the sexiest man alive, and she would be a fool to let such a sexy beast go. Also, realizing that Brandon is the only real man in the studio(or on Earth for that matter), this also causes yulia to choose Brandon over both parviz AND vladimir. The three of them then proceed to the Palace of Wisdom, where they have a threesome. then Liz flashes for her jerry beads during the question segment! and jerry talks about the final thoughts of the episode. THE END.

on Monday, May 18th, liz said

well, yeah.

on Monday, May 18th, Diamond said

*tries not to laugh* Liz that is sooo mean!

on Monday, May 18th, liz said

brandon, i really like the editing to it. makes it more like an ACTUAL springer episode. but i don't like the ending. you should of taken home lena solo. yulia's been with so many men that if i was a guy, i wouldn't touch that.

on Monday, May 18th, Brandon said

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

here's the plot line: yulia comes on the show, tells lena that she's been sleeping with her boyfriend brandon, and they start fighting. then brandon comes out, and tell lena that yulia seduced him, but she doesn't buy it. parviz then comes out and confronts brandon for sleeping with her. brandon hits the Moonlight Drive on him. then yulia drops a bombshell that she's pregnant, and confesses that she's cheating on both of them with vladimir kozlov, and that he's the father. vladimir comes out, call yulia a slut, then beats up on both brandon and parviz, until Brandon strikes the Morrison pose to activate the slow motion effect. While everything is in slo-mo, Brandon puts a steel chair in Parviz' hands and moves him in front of Kozlov. Kozlov headbutts the chair, sending it crashing into Parviz' face, and knocking out both of them. to end the story, Brandon flashes his abs to the girls, making Lena realize that Brandon is the sexiest man alive, and she would be a fool to let such a sexy beast go. Also, realizing that Brandon is the only real man in the studio(or on Earth for that matter), this also causes yulia to choose Brandon over both parviz AND vladimir. The three of them then proceed to the Palace of Wisdom, where they have a threesome. then Liz flashes for her jerry beads during the question segment! THE END.

I fixed it! >_>

on Sunday, May 17th, Sam said

hahaha man that would be the best episode of jerry springer ever! :p

on Sunday, May 17th, liz said

diamond, you can be the female todd. he always get made fun of, and he's the person who tell the audience what to do before the show is taped. i've went there last year.

on Sunday, May 17th, Diamond said

I will probably be that person to ring the bell and make that ding ding sound to tell people its time to fight and mmake the sound effects

on Sunday, May 17th, liz said

here's the plot line: yulia comes on the show, tells lena that she's been sleeping with her boyfriend brandon, and they start fighting. then brandon comes out, and tell lena that yulia seduced him, but she doesn't buy it. parviz then comes out and confronts brandon for sleeping with her. brandon beats the shit out of him. then yulia drops a bombshell that she's pregnant, and confesses that she's cheating on both of them with vladimir kozlov, and that he's the father. vladimir comes out, call yulia a slut, then beats up on both brandon and parviz. to end the story, lena doesn't take brandon back, yulia choose parviz over vladimir, claiming it was just a one time thing. then i flash for my jerry beads during the question segment!

if anyone wants to add more to this, feel free!

on Sunday, May 17th, sofia said

Oh god. That would be hilarious. Surprise behind the scenes guest is Lena, and they fight! Yulia ends up pregnant afterwards.

on Sunday, May 17th, liz said

sofia and me, she should be on jerry springer. today's topic "i'm a russian pop star who gets knocked up by two married men, and hates my fans" i'll watch it. jerry! jerry! jerry! lol!

on Sunday, May 17th, Sofia said

Me- Yeah, that's what I thought I had heard. I don't think that's cool. Stealing husbands is not okay D:

I'm really thinking different of Yulia, now. She stopped inspiring me a while ago, and now I think I'm done. We'll just have to see. For now- I'm a fan of t.a.t.u. and Lena.

on Sunday, May 17th, Me said

Sofia: Both the father of her first child and Parviz already had wives and children when Yulia came along. Parviz actually just had a baby with Masha Weber when Yulia got preggers... and the guy before Parviz was also married.

on Sunday, May 17th, Sofia said

courtney- yeah, I sort of decided that for myself, too. After stumbling on that sentence I felt that I was really not any more a fan of Yulia. What for? Oh, she's not 'interested' in me. I guess she doesn't care about her fan base any more.

Not cool, Yulia. Not cool.

Might I add: having two children out of wedlock is in no way normal. (And wasn't the father of the first child already married?)

on Sunday, May 17th, Diamond said

Liz: The wives may come. But the guys are leaving with us.

Can someone tell me what yulia meant by "normal" people? Why is everyone taking it to offense?

on Sunday, May 17th, liz said

diamond: our double date will go smoothly as plan, until we get caught by stephanie, rebecca, and the show cheaters.

courtney: i love you too!

on Sunday, May 17th, Courtney said

"anywho, in the part of the interview, yulia says and i quote: "normal people, especially those who have children, will understand me." she doesn't spend time with her kids, yet will say that. i hate to say this, but she should never became a mother in the first place!"

I LOVE YOU, LIZ. I agree! Yulia saying that "normal" crap made me lmao! Normal? SHE is the antithesis of "normal", her BRAIN is not normal.

See why I say "We need tests to to see if people should be allowed to procreate and have kids because of people like her"? She should not have never become a mother in the first place: USE SOME KIND OF PROTECTION. SHE KNOWS HOW, SHE JUST THOUGHT SHE WOULDN'T GET PREGNANT... Because she's immature with a teenager's brain and a woman's body. BAD BAD combination.

I'm OFFICIALLY a t.A.T.u. music fan and only a LENA fan for a long time to come or until Yulia comes to her senses, which I highly doubt with her head being so damn big like a hot air balloon.

on Sunday, May 17th, Diamond said

Liz, I smell a double date!

Anyway, yeah about yulia before her second child came. I would have thought differently. If you go to youtube actually and type in "closer to the stars" the latest one added. In 2006 or 2007 she was talking about her daughter and how she does everything to take care of her and everythign. She sounded like a good mother. What happened? I don't wanna question her. Its just I remember reading she said if she comes to U.S.A her parents come too. So what? they watch the kids. Not just that, but it seems like I'm confused. Is she coming to raise her children better? or for the parties?
like is she saying she's coming because russia is better to raise her kids? but there parties are bad?
or America is better to raise kids, and russia hasboring parties?

on Sunday, May 17th, liz said

diamond, triple h is all yours. shawn michaels is my husband (i wish)!

anywho, in the part of the interview, yulia says and i quote: "normal people, especially those who have children, will understand me." she doesn't spend time with her kids, yet will say that. i hate to say this, but she should never became a mother in the first place!

on Sunday, May 17th, Diamond said

To Brandon: HOO RAH!!!

To Liz: you degenerate (hhh is my husband)

I hope tatu are still close too, But I'm doubting it. But the only way we would really know anything is if they dd another of those reality tv things. And I wish they would.

on Sunday, May 17th, tatu 101 said

Aww im worried i dunno how this is gonna go Yulia moving away i hope they still hav a close friendship...ahh tatu go back 2tha old days PLEASE =( i miis them
it made me a lil happy when Lena said they still kiss sometimes =)
Anyways i wish them the best and who knows what might happen dwn tha track we can only hope 4the best outcome
tatu 4ever!!!

on Sunday, May 17th, Brandon said

Of course, the $4,000 doesn't include what I would need for a fur coat...or a gym membership, so I could get John Morrison's abs.
Honestly, how could Lena resist me if I had abs like that?

I must do whatever it takes! My goddess awaits!

*does Morrison pose in slow motion*

*hair randomly blows in the wind*

on Saturday, May 16th, liz said

*does the dx crotch chop*

forgot to do this :)

on Saturday, May 16th, liz said

as of right now, i'm no longer a fan of yulia's!

in the words of the almighty DX, i have two words for her: SUCK IT!

on Saturday, May 16th, Sofia said

Amanda- Yeah, that was really weird. I didn't see that the first time. I must admit, it did sort of... hurt.

t.a.t.u. is in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM, 'NORMAL' and this is what I love. I am not normal! I am proud to say this, and I know a lot of other fans would too.

Mike- Absolutely. T.a.t.u. has always stood for the un-normal! (literally xD)I can't help but feel a tad betrayed, just now.

on Saturday, May 16th, Mike said

Yulia is a total betch now, apparently she doesn't like anyone who isn't normal now :p Wasn't that something tatu were always for? people being themselves no matter how different they might have been. There goes almost 10 years of support for everyone out there who ever felt different down the toilet :p

on Saturday, May 16th, Amanda said

Sofia, yes, you have read correctly. Honestly, I was offended by this comment made by Yulia.

on Saturday, May 16th, Sofia said

Woah, woah, woah.

Yulia: No. I don’t even pay attention what somebody will think of me. Normal people, especially those who have children will understand me. --->And I’m not interested in those who are not normal.

Did I just read that right?! WTF

on Saturday, May 16th, Katie said

That actualy makes a lot of sense. Like they were so different that it caused them to push eachother away without realizing it. But then again,they kinda balanced eachother out.Like a ying and yang sorta thing. Or kind of an opposites attract thing,but in a friend way.But there are always a lot of opinons and ideas about what happened with them and none of us will know for sure unless Lena or Yulia say something about it,but that probably won't happen so I guess we'll never really know.

on Saturday, May 16th, Sam said

Courtney is probably right, Yulia and Lena really dont seem to have much in common, so I can see why they wouldn't have a problem being apart.

on Saturday, May 16th, Courtney said

I think what really made them lose closeness was because they are two polar opposites... I'm sure they fought and argued like crazy behind the scenes... Yulia had a hot temper and Lena was the non-confrontational one and it seemed that Yulia loved confrontation. Usually two people who are so different from each other have a very different set of friends who probably never mingle because of their opposite likes and dislikes of things.

Yulia liked to party and run wild with men and Lena liked to socially drink and kinda stay at home or with friends and keep to herself about her relationships.

Their disagreements throughout the years got bigger and bigger the more time they spent together because they kinda just got tired of the other's habits. And the more time they spent apart from each other without the confrontation everyday the more they started to like it.

Just my opinion.

on Saturday, May 16th, Katie said

True about how it wouldn't be much different than before with them not seeing eachother,but now the sometimes that they would be hanging out are gone. I know that they aren't as close as they used to be,but I feel like there was something that might have happened(not Parviz or Yulia's kids) to cause them to loose their closeness

on Saturday, May 16th, Kayla said

I definetly think ill move out to LA when I go to college. It will increase my chances of seeing yulia!!! ♥ This interview made me sad somehow. It feels like t.A.T.u will never be the same. =[

on Saturday, May 16th, Alice said

I agree.
i miss the old tatu.
Hugs and kisses, the love stuff.

I like ALL of their music, but its what they do FOR the music is whats the problem.

I agree with Genesis...
Damn parvis. ;-;

on Saturday, May 16th, Courtney said

now that Yulia is moving to LA. So will it really be that much different from their situation now?**(sorry, forgot to add that last part to the end of my comment before I posted it.)

on Saturday, May 16th, Courtney said

Haven't they said in interviews before that they have separate groups of friends they hang out with and when not working they only see each other sometimes? Since t.A.T.u. is going on a "break" I don't think this will be very different from them hardly ever hanging out when in Moscow when they aren't working together.

on Saturday, May 16th, Katie said

Awww they still kiss sometimes :) but I have a weird feeling about Yulia being able to leave Russia and Lena all behind without having a problem with it at all,or atleast it seems like she has no problem with it

on Saturday, May 16th, Sam said

I agree with Diamond, i like the fact that they still kiss sometimes :). I miss the old tatu.

on Saturday, May 16th, coco said

"Looking at all those still young people looking as if they were 40 years old because of their lifestyle."

Yes, after all there are SO many other ways to look like you´re 40, such as collagen injections and heavy make-up.

on Saturday, May 16th, Diamond said

Thats what I was thinking. I guess we know who one of Brandons fave wrestler is. I can't lie thats a good phrase to use.

I know this is naive but I'm happy to hear they do kiss just not infront of people. Theres a part of me that knows old tatu is gone, yet wishes ti would come back.

on Saturday, May 16th, jenn said

You go Brandon! Sadly, I do not have $4,000. :(

on Saturday, May 16th, liz said

brandon, are you taking a page out of john morrison's book?

anywho, lena is always allowed in the palace of wisdom. yulia, not so much!

on Saturday, May 16th, Brandon said

Is Lena hinting that she's single?

There's only one thing to do! Being the Shaman of Sexy, I shall go to her, and make her fall in love with me!

Now if someone can spare me $4000, I'll be on my way...to Lena's heart! >_>

on Friday, May 15th, Courtney said

Of course Parviz has a lot to do with it.... Look who she was BEFORE him, and look who she is NOW WITH him.. I see a BIG difference. I also think Parviz had a hand in suggesting her more "plastic LA look". Just my opinion. I am more interested in Lena now anyways... Yulia to be is just a diva now, in my opinion.

on Friday, May 15th, Angelica said

aw, i miss the old days<3
lena and yulia are gonna be seperated, i dont like the sound of that at all :(

on Friday, May 15th, Genesis said

i cant help but think that all of this...is parvis' fault --

on Friday, May 15th, cath said

awww... i miss the old days, i just hope that they are happy now, wow i love them so much

on Friday, May 15th, Diamond said

I LOVED this interview.

I just don't understand the last question.

on Friday, May 15th, Robbert said

i totallly need to go move back to LA. I need to move out of boom-f**ked egypt (virginia) and need to move back to CA. I miss it so bad and being able to be THAT close to Yulka just makes me scream like im being killed. lol. i would like meet with her everyday and tell her how good of a decision it was to move to LA. Lets just hope its soon.!!

on Friday, May 15th, jenn said

There's always a special place for someone!

on Friday, May 15th, Me said

I guess Yulia's lips were just her first step in becoming an L.A. citizen. L.A. is full of fake peeps; she will fit in just fine.

on Friday, May 15th, Faiza said

O_O wow Yulia moving to LA...I'm worried... Lena is staying in Moscow so they are not living together anymore :( I hope their friendship still lasts! and lol is Yulia going to learn english? :P if she's gonna live in LA lol. I wonder... my parents want to move to LA away from toronto I live in right now X_X but i wanted to stay in toronto...now I'm rethinking...

on Friday, May 15th, Amanda said

Jenn, lol, we should totally move to Los Angeles. We can visit Yulia on a regular basis, as the Russian fans have in the past!

on Friday, May 15th, jenn said

HA! The ending was perfect.

That was a really cool interview. So, who's moving to L.A. with me?