The duo was a hit in the 2000s. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty

Julia Volkova and Lena Katina – now both 40 – first gained international recognition in the early 2000s with their provocative image, famously performing in school uniforms while portraying a lesbian couple.

Their debut single, ‘All The Things She Said’, topped charts worldwide and sparked widespread debate.

At the height of their fame, British TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan campaigned against the music video, which depicted the duo kissing in the rain, per News.com.au.

ITV also refused to air the clip on CD:UK, stating: “It is not really suitable for children.”

Despite the controversy at the time, the video has since amassed over 453 million views on YouTube.

The pair caused controversy, particularly in Russia, as they often shared a kiss. Credit: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty

Despite their past success, t.A.T.u.’s legacy faces increasing scrutiny in modern Russia, where laws banning so-called LGBT “propaganda” have intensified under President Vladimir Putin.

While the duo was once invited to perform at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Russian authorities are now seeking to erase their influence.

Pro-Putin MP Tatiana Butskaya has called for a complete ban on t.A.T.u. content, arguing the group’s image encouraged same-sex relationships, per The Sun.

“Never in my life in our childhood did it occur to me that a girl could be with a girl, until t.A.T.u popped up,” she said. Butskaya has also made controversial comparisons between homosexuality, liver disease, and tooth decay.

Despite the political backlash, t.A.T.u. retains a devoted fan base.

Volkova recently performed at her 40th birthday celebration, singing the band’s biggest hits to a cheering audience. Fans remain hopeful for another reunion following their 2023 performance at the Winline Match Tour in Saint Petersburg.

Volkova, who has twice battled thyroid cancer, is reported to have spent around £22,500 (AU$45,500) on facial plastic surgery, according to surgeon Denis Agapov.

The singer has been open about undergoing cosmetic procedures, including breast enlargement and Botox.

“Initially, I was just interested in how it was. It’s fashionable. Everyone does it, and I want to do it too,” she previously stated.

However, she dismissed criticism of her appearance, adding: “It’s not like I don’t accept myself.”

Katina, now a mother of two, shares a nine-year-old son with her first husband, Slovenian rock singer Sasho Kuzmanovich, and a one-year-old child with her current husband, millionaire Dmitry Spiridonov.

Time certainly flies! And I feel very old…