Russian pop duo Tatu have changed their name to t.E.m.A. and will release their first single under the new name later this month.

Julia Volkova and Elena Katina were forced in to the name change after breaking with manager Ivan Shapovalov, who held the rights to the Tatu name.

Russian daily newspaper Utro said the girls were also planning to admit they were heterosexual to reflect the fact they have “grown up” over the past year.

They also want to be treated as serious musicians.

Their new producer Boris Renskiy says it would be hard for the pair to continue to claim to be lesbians because Julia is pregnant. He said the lesbian idea was merely a gimmick thought up by Shapovalov.

The new song, called “Who, If Not Me” is to be released at the end of this month.

Credit: Ananova