Lesbian attitudes

Stringent rules were laid out for Katina and Volkova. Their management told the girls only to sign autographs for people related to the group, no one else, and to only give brief answers to the press, if at all.[3] They were forbidden to speak about their sexual activities, living together and their personal lives. Their tight contract they were under dictated what they did, what they said, and even how they felt. Volkova was told Jelena Sergejewna Katina to ignore questions from reporters, frown, and look clearly upset to further the contrast between herself and Katina.

T.A. Music was the label under which Happy Smiles was released internationally nude TATU on iTunes.

The band and its management were criticized for their blatant use of lesbian imagery to create controversy and publicity. For instance, the cover of the January 2003 issue of Maxim magazine Russia showed Volkova topless and wearing a skimpy thong bikini bottom with Elena wearing sportswear lingerie. Volkova was 17; Elena was 18. Other photo shoots included the September 2003 issue of FHM Russia, where both girls were topless and Elena was covering Yulia's breasts with her hands. Questions about their sexuality were evaded by ambiguous statements such as "Don't be afraid to be yourself; don't be afraid to love", or that they did not like labels. Katina once said in an interview that this lesbianism was "no image", while Katina had acknowledged in earlier interviews lesbian schoolgirls that it was an obligation.