The 7 Most Shocking ‘Things She Said’: Inside T.A.T.u.’s Controversial Comeback And 2025 Reunion

The legacy of t.A.T.u.—the Russian pop duo that shocked the world with their controversial image and infectious hit "All the Things She Said"—continues to evolve, especially with a highly anticipated reunion tour scheduled for 2025. As of December 15, 2025, the conversation around Lena Katina and Julia Volkova is no longer just about their manufactured lesbian image from the early 2000s, but about their contradictory statements, their challenging solo careers, and the complex reality of their relationship today. The duo’s history is a goldmine of provocative quotes, but their recent comments shed new light on their past and future, making the phrase "Things She Said" more relevant than ever.

The core of the t.A.T.u. phenomenon has always been the public statements and artistic choices that blurred the lines between performance art and reality. The duo, whose name is a shortened form of a Russian phrase meaning "this girl loves that girl", built their brand on a foundation of teenage angst, rebellion, and a seemingly genuine queer romance. However, the years following their 2011 breakup have been filled with shocking revelations, particularly concerning their personal views and the manufactured nature of their early career, which critics now view through a more skeptical, modern lens.

The Controversial Biographies of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova

To understand the context of the most shocking "Things She Said," one must first look at the lives of the two women behind the phenomenon, Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. Both singers have had challenging paths since the duo's official split in 2011, dealing with health issues, solo career attempts, and public scrutiny.

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Lena Katina (Elena Sergeevna Katina)

• Born: October 4, 1984, Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
• Early Career: Started in the children's musical group "Neposedy" (Fidgets) alongside Julia Volkova.
• t.A.T.u. Era: Known as the red-haired member.
• Solo Career: Launched a solo career in 2009, officially after the t.A.T.u. split, releasing albums like This Is Who I Am (2014) and Mono (2019).
• Personal Life: Married to musician Sash Kuzma, with whom she has a son. She has consistently been the more outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, often publicly disagreeing with her former bandmate's conservative views.
• Current Status (2025): Actively involved in the 2025 reunion performances, while maintaining her solo work.

Julia Volkova (Yuliya Olegovna Volkova)

• Born: February 20, 1985, Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
• Early Career: Also a member of "Neposedy."
• t.A.T.u. Era: Known as the dark-haired member, often portraying the more rebellious image.
• Solo Career: Pursued a solo career, releasing singles and an EP, but her career was frequently interrupted by health issues.
• Health Battles: Famously battled thyroid cancer, which resulted in vocal cord damage and multiple surgeries, severely impacting her singing voice.
• Controversy: Has faced significant backlash for a series of conservative and homophobic comments made in interviews following the duo's initial breakup.
• Current Status (2025): Participating in the t.A.T.u. reunion, despite the ongoing public discussion about her past controversial statements.

The 7 Most Revealing ‘Things She Said’ From t.A.T.u.’s History

The phrase "Things She Said" is a direct reference to their iconic 2002 hit, "All the Things She Said." However, the most compelling "things she said" are the quotes and statements made by Lena Katina and Julia Volkova in the years since, which have defined their post-t.A.T.u. identities and the nature of their 2025 comeback.

1. "I don’t consider myself a lesbian." (The Original Deception)

This is arguably the most fundamental "thing she said" that shattered the duo's initial image. The entire premise of t.A.T.u., masterminded by their original producer Ivan Shapovalov, was the portrayal of a lesbian couple. The music video for "All the Things She Said" was highly controversial for its depiction of lesbian girls. Over time, both Katina and Volkova confirmed that the relationship was manufactured for marketing, a revelation that both alienated and liberated them from their pop personas. This statement exposed the commercial exploitation of queer themes in early 2000s pop music.

2. "I wouldn't condemn [my son] if he was a lesbian, but I would condemn him if I felt that he was gay." (Volkova's Anti-Gay Stance)

This is perhaps the most shocking and damaging statement attributed to Julia Volkova. In a 2014 interview, Volkova made explicitly homophobic comments, stating that while she would accept a lesbian daughter, she would "condemn" a gay son because "a man has no right to be a f*g" and that "God created man for procreation". This statement directly contradicted the LGBTQ+ anthem status of their biggest hit and sparked massive backlash from fans and critics worldwide.

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3. "I think a person has the right to choose who to love and not love... I completely disagree with her." (Katina’s Public Rebuke)

In a powerful and immediate response, Lena Katina publicly distanced herself from Volkova's anti-gay comments. Katina's statement was a crucial moment of damage control and personal integrity, affirming her support for the LGBTQ+ community and making it clear that Volkova's views did not represent her own. This public disagreement highlighted the deep ideological rift between the two singers, casting a shadow over any future reunion.

4. "We renounced the LGBT movement to return to the stage." (The Reunion's Alleged Condition)

Reports surrounding the t.A.T.u. reunion in 2025 suggest that the duo may have "renounced the LGBT movement" as a condition for their return to the Russian stage. While the specifics remain controversial and unconfirmed by official press releases, the mere existence of this rumor is a significant "thing she said" (or was pressured to say) that reflects the current political and social climate in Russia, directly impacting their ability to perform their most famous material.

The Impact of t.A.T.u.'s Legacy and 2025 Comeback

5. "I was a puppet." (The Confession of Control)

In various post-breakup interviews, both Katina and Volkova have spoken about the intense control exerted by their management, especially Ivan Shapovalov. They often described feeling like "puppets" or "products" during the peak of their fame. This confession is a critical "thing she said" that provides context to their controversial image, positioning them as young artists exploited by a cynical industry rather than true pioneers of queer pop.

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6. "I will travel for them as long as it is not..." (Katina on the 2025 Gigs)

The news of t.A.T.u. gigs in 2025, including a performance in Crimea in July, has generated significant excitement. Lena Katina has expressed her willingness to travel and perform, but her statements often come with caveats, reflecting the precarious nature of their working relationship. These guarded comments signal that while they are willing to perform together for their fans, the personal and professional dynamic remains complex and fragile.

7. "I revealed some heartbreaking details about their career in her latest interview." (Volkova's Recent Candidness)

Recent interviews from Julia Volkova, some as late as 2025, have been highly candid, revealing "heartbreaking details" about the duo's career, including her struggles with cancer and its impact on her voice. These statements are a new kind of "thing she said," moving away from manufactured controversy toward genuine vulnerability. Her openness about her health and the challenges of a solo career adds a layer of pathos to the t.A.T.u. story, suggesting a potential shift in her public persona.

Topical Authority: t.A.T.u. and the LGBTQ+ Anthem

The song "All the Things She Said" remains a contentious cultural artifact. Lyrically, it evokes a powerful sense of queer teenage angst and forbidden love: "All the things she said, all the things she said / Running through my head, running through my head". Despite the later revelations of the duo's manufactured image and Volkova's homophobic comments, the song's impact as a global queer anthem for a generation cannot be erased. The track's success was fueled by its raw, electric sound and its controversial video, which resonated deeply with young people struggling with their sexuality.

The ongoing tension between the song's message of acceptance and the singers' subsequent contradictory statements is what gives the t.A.T.u. story its enduring fascination. The 2025 reunion is not just a nostalgic concert series; it is a cultural litmus test. Will the duo embrace the progressive message of their most famous hit, or will they continue to navigate the difficult political waters that have defined their post-fame lives? The "things she said" today—the statements about their reunion, their political alignments, and their personal health—are arguably more complex and revealing than the manufactured controversy that made them famous two decades ago.

For fans, the 2025 gigs represent a chance to relive the rebellious spirit of the early 2000s, but for the duo themselves, it is a complicated venture. The "Things She Said" from their past will forever be a part of their narrative, but the statements they make today are the ones that will define their ultimate legacy.