Ta-tu unreliable and not so big in Japan (TheAge.Com.Au)Time of publication: 28.06.2003 |
June 28 2003
Tatu flex their charisma for the cameras.
Russian pop duo Tatu's troubles in Japan mounted today after they suddenly refused to perform during a live television show and cancelled another event in an apparent dispute with their record label.
The teenagers, known for their image as a rebellious lesbian couple, stood up a live TV Asahi audience last night despite appearing on the show earlier holding hands, wearing midriff-baring shirts and short plaid skirts.
Universal Music KK, which handles the group's events in Japan, blamed their manager for calling off the performance during the live broadcast of TV Asahi's Music Station show.
"During the show, manager Ivan Shapovalov contacted the members (of Tatu) and refused to allow them to perform," Universal said in a news release.
"We deeply apologise to TV Asahi, its related networks and the program's viewers," it said.
Universal issued another apology after cancelling a second Tatu performance scheduled for this evening, saying "a difference of opinion has arisen between Universal Music and the artists and their management".
Universal officials could not be reached for comment.
Reports said Shapovalov objected to the ultra-skimpy outfits selected for the pair on TV Asahi and worried his duo's privacy might be compromised during the live performance.
Along with the latest trouble, the famous Zojoji Temple in Tokyo said today it refused to allow the couple to use its grounds as the location to film a video.
On Thursday, Tokyo's metropolitican police refused an application by Tatu to shoot a promotional video on the pedestrian-only streets of the Akihabara and Ginza districts, because they were "feared to cause confusion," reports said.
The team, made up of 17-year-old Julia Volkova and 18-year-old Lena Katina, arrived in Japan on Wednesday to much fanfare, but their trip has been plagued by setbacks.
Tatu were temporarily detained when they filmed a promotional video at Red Square in Moscow without a permit last month, according to press reports.
Tatu's name is officially spelled t.A.T.u, an abbreviation of the Russian "Ta lyubit Tu," or "This girl loves that one".
The group's carefully crafted image is of two teenaged lesbians rebelling against the grown-ups' world.
- AFP
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