by havires

Volkova told Russia's MK newspaper in 2012 that she likes both "boys and girls." As a member of t.A.T.u., she was once known for celebrating inclusion and championing LGBT rights.

"Our slogan is to love and it's not important whom to love," Volkova said in a 2006 interview, per the Independent. "We want to say that a boy can love a boy and a girl can love a girl. If all people would love each other, it would be easier to live in this world. If people are led by hatred and evil, nothing good would happen from this."

As a video of Volkova's comments went viral this week before being removed from YouTube, the 29-year-old singer was roundly slammed by many former fans.

"Good to know one of my idols is a complete homophobe, despite her and [Lena Katina] being a beacon of hope for LGBT in Russia," wrote one YouTuber Thursday after watching a clip of Volkova's comments. "I guess Yulia has become exactly what she preached against."