SOCHI — Russia's faux-lesbian pop duo t.A.T.u are to reform for Friday's opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics, organizers have confirmed.
It is a surprise move that appear to counter the country's efforts to marginalize so-called nontraditional lifestyles, after President Vladimir Putin signed a law that forbids their promotion to children.
Rumors that t.A.T.u would feature at the Fisht Olympic Stadium were reported by R-Sport last month, when signer Lena Katina wrote and the swiftly deleted a tweet that read: "They have invited us to appear at the opening of the Olympics in Sochi."
She also described the organization of the event as a "nightmare."
Commenting on their appearance at show, its creative director Konstantin Ernst said the duo's role would be a bit-part at best.
" t.A.T.u are performing at the pre-show, where various popular artists will be on show," Ernst said. " t.A.T.u is one of the few groups that is world famous, although most of the ceremony is built upon classical and symphonic music," he said.
t.A.T.u shot to fame in 2002 with the release of hit single "All The Things She Said" and the accompanying video, which controversially depicted the pair as lesbian schoolgirls.
The duo later revealed the lesbian shtick was put on. They split in 2011 to pursue solo careers.
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