Russian

T.A.T.u. booed at Eurovision contest (Reuters)

Time of publication: 24.05.2003
RIGA, Lativa -- Controversial pop duo and Russia's Eurovision hopefuls t.A.T.u. were booed at dress rehearsals on Friday, lifting Turkey and Spain's chances of the grabbing the song contest top spot on Saturday night. The girls, whose sexually provocative videos performed in school uniforms have led to them being branded "paedo-pop," halted their number during the first dress rehearsal of the day, while their second attempt also flopped. "Julia has a bad throat," a speaker announced, as partner Lena wandered onstage alone for a second attempt. Her lackluster performance prompted audience boos and whistles. The teenage duo rattled Eurovision organizers in image-conscious Latvia -- which won the contest in neighboring Estonia last year -- by saying they would put on a "sexy act" and shock the 160 million viewers across Europe and beyond. Many suspected the duo would try to ambush the 48th Eurovision Song Contest with a publicity stunt and give the family event an X-rated spin this year, with rumours of a nude performance and lesbian kissing. T.A.T.u.'s "Don't believe, don't fear, don't ask" is a wall of aggressive guitar-based techno -- a sharp contrast to the usual Eurovision diet of soggy ballads and upbeat disco.
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