06/04/2009: "Bravo magazine interview"
Source: Tatu.ru/forum
Thanks to Barzha (tatu.ru/forum).
Do you remember how did you get for the first time on MTV awards in the United States?
Yulia: We got the most striking impression due to the fact that suddenly the video YSSU reached top of charts and became famous throughout the world. That was cool! And when we came to the states, we hadn’t any hysterics. Because we’ve accustomed to it, I guess.
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Hello, girls! Happy birthday to you! I have recently leafing the BRAVO magazine of 2003 and remembered how it was booming at that time about you. Do you think that you finally had managed to conquer the world?
Yulia: Let the world to judge. We have platinum albums, successful sales in many countries.
Lena: We monitor the sales of our last album. It goes well around the world on the Internet. This is despite the fact that the English version of VU haven’t been released yet.
Do you remember how did you get for the first time on MTV awards in the United States? There were a lot of world stars, and you among of them!
Yulia: We got the most striking impression due to the fact that suddenly the video YSSU reached top of charts and became famous throughout the world. That was cool! And when we came to the states, we hadn’t any hysterics. Because we’ve accustomed to it, I guess.
But, by the way, if you would make your own ceremony of awarding, something like t.A.T.u. Awards, whom would you give your awards of one of our artists?
Yulia: Given my skepticism of Russian show business, it will be very actual (laughs). I have always believed that our girls-artists are singing panties and our boys-artists are malchik-gays. Of course, there are exceptions, such as Sergey Lazarev. He is a very hard-working actor. A man who sings and plays in the theater.
You mean there is no main hit in Russia?
Lena: For us, or at all?
Yulia: (sings) “Soyuz nerushimyh respublik sovetskih” (Soviet union anthem). I can not say that we have some powerful hits. I’m not saying that all is bad. There are some good songs, but they immediately disappear.
OK, but if you would talk about the shame of this year?
Yulia: Yes, all is sludge! But you understand, I did not try to humiliate. Just after I saw the American show-business, where people strongly work, and compared with what is happening in Russia. We have people who invest $ 5000 and then sit as a king, put legs on a table. I mean producers.
Girls, with such point of view about show-buisiness you probably have a lot of enemies?
Yulia: I have no enemies. I communicate with everyone, smile. I can fuck, but kindly. Of course, there are such cases, when I speak with my friends-artists and say: “Our show buisiness is a real piece of shit” - And they offend and answer: “Well thank you, you mean us too?”. People just do not understand that it is the truth of life. I’m not saying that some of them are bad people. I am only talking about the creativity. Let’s say I have a friend Lena Temnikova of “Serebro”. I do not really like the creativity of this group, but as a human, I love her. But for example if we speak about Anastasia Prikhodko, she’s a human not of this world. Such big talent! Her creativity is wonderful. No need to say, you should see yourself.
Lena: I think that we have such show-business, primarily due to the producers, who are aiming the money, not creativity.
Yulia: (interrupts) what the fuck, producing? There’s only masturbating in Russsia, not producing.
By the way, did you support Nastya at Eurovision? Maybe gave her a couple of valuable tips?
Yulia: Yes! I advised her not to worry and remember that she is the best!
Lena: I watched it on TV, I had creep in the skin. Such wonderful energy comes from her! How she could be given so few votes I do not understand.
And what valuable information have you received in 2003 when you were representing Russia at Eurovision?
Yulia: Well, we do not need the advice. We already knew that the participation of t.A.T.u. in this competition was wrong decision. Just we’ve been requested, and we realized to participate. Than we understood that it wasn’t good.
In 2003, in the interview in BRAVO magazine you said that you had terrible worries. Yulia about her low height, and Lena about the extra weight. Now, as I see, the problem is solved.
Lena: (laughs) Well, yes. Yulka about height, me about the weight.
The new complexes have appeared? Or you’re solving the old ones?
Yulia: I can not say that I had mega complexes about height. I am a girl with a low height. I remember when I was going on a subway to school, I was waist-high to everyone. When people were coming out, they were carrying me in their arms, because I could not grasp to railings. (laughs) I am small but I have a huge heart, which is sufficient for all.
Do you remember how the girls suddenly parted with their boyfriends after YSSU video had been shown on TV? You launched the fashion to same-sex love.
Yulia: Actually, it was strange that was such a violent reaction took place. In fact, we did not bring anything new. It existed before us. Our mothers, our grandmothers.
Lena: Yes, even our great-grandmothers abused it!
Yulia: In our country same-sex love had a bad image. You won’t believe, but someone came to us and said: “Thanks for not being afraid to show your feelings!”
Lena: Just since it is in our society, you shouldn’t ignore it! Why do those people need to be humiliated, offended?
By the way, Madonna and Britney Spears, following your example, kissed each other on the stage. Do you feel flattered or not?
Lena: Yes, exactly! It was probably MTV Movie Awards.
Yulia: At that time ATTSS video just had been launched in USA.
Lena: I remember there was a report, when Madonna view photos of various rock and pop stars and there was our photo. She outraged over our photo. And we do not mind - let it be!