Christina Aguilera

Background information
Birth name Christina Maria Aguilera
Also known as Xtina, Baby Jane
Born December 18, 1980 (1980-12-18) (age 26)
Flag of United States Staten Island, New York City, New York, United States
Origin Flag of United States Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Genre(s) Pop, dance-pop, Latin pop, R&B
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, producer
Years active 1998–present
Label(s) RCA
Website www.christinaaguilera.com

Christina Maria Aguilera (a Spanish surname, pronounced (IPA) [a.ɣi.ˈle.ɾa];, anglicized to [ć.gi.ˈlɛ(ə).ɹə];[1]), born December 18, 1980, is an American pop singer and songwriter. She was signed to RCA Records after recording "Reflection" for the film Mulan. She came to prominence following her debut album Christina Aguilera (1999), which was a critical and commercial success. A Latin pop album Mi Reflejo, and a Christmas album, My Kind of Christmas, followed during this period and also sold strongly.

Aguilera took creative control over her second studio album Stripped (2002), which received mixed reviews and yet produced substantial sales. During the album's promotion, her overtly sexual image became the subject of intense criticism and ridicule. Her third studio album Back to Basics (2006) included elements of soul, jazz, and blues music. It was released to good sales and positive critical reception. Aguilera's works have earned her numerous awards, most notably five Grammy Awards in sixteen nominations. She has sold over 30 million records worldwide.[2]

She and husband, Jordan Bratman, recently announced they're expecting their first child.


 Biography

 Early life and career

Aguilera was born in Staten Island, New York City, New York, to Fausto Wagner Xavier Aguilera, a U.S. Army sergeant, and Shelly Loraine Fidler, a Spanish teacher. Aguilera's father was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, while her mother is of Irish descent (her maternal grandparents emigrated from County Clare).[3] Her father, Fausto, was stationed at Earnest Harmon Air Force Base in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada and Japan. Aguilera lived with her father and mother until she was 7 years old. When Aguilera's parents divorced, her mother took her, and her younger sister Rachel, to her grandmother's home in Rochester, Pennsylvania, a blue-collar suburb of Pittsburgh. According to both Aguilera and Fidler, her father was very controlling, as well as physically and emotionally abusive. She later wrote about her difficult childhood in the songs, "I'm OK" in Stripped, and "Oh Mother" in Back to Basics.[4] Although her father has written to Christina, she has ruled out any chance to reunite with him.[5] Since then, Fidler has married a paramedic named Jim Kearns, and has changed her name to Shelly Kearns.[6]

Aguilera attended North Allegheny School District, near the Pittsburgh suburb of Wexford, Pennsylvania.

As a child, Aguilera aspired to be a singer. Her musical influences included Etta James,[7] Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston,[8] Nina Simone, and Madonna.[9] She also cites the musical The Sound of Music as an early inspiration for singing and performing.[10] As a child, she was known locally as "the little girl with the big voice", singing in local talent shows and competitions.[11]

According to VH1's Driven, this label eventually backfired on her. When competitors learned they would be up against her in any given week, they immediately backed out, prompting insiders to claim it was "like sending a lamb to the slaughter." Her peers soon became jealous of her and would frequently subject her to ridicule, ostracism, and, in one gym class, attempted assault. Acts of vandalism around her house included the slashing of the tires on the family car. Eventually, the family relocated to another suburb in the Pittsburgh area and, by her own order, swore to secrecy about her talent lest another backlash occur.[12]

On March 15, 1990, she appeared on Star Search singing Etta James' "A Sunday Kind of Love", but lost the competition. Soon after losing on Star Search, she returned home and appeared on Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV's Wake Up with Larry Richert to perform the same song again. People remarked that the then 10-year-old "sounded 20".[12]

Throughout her youth in Pittsburgh, Aguilera sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Pittsburgh Penguins hockey games, Pittsburgh Steelers football and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games. Her first major role in entertainment came in 1993 when she joined the Disney Channel's variety show The New Mickey Mouse Club. Her co-stars included Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Rhona Bennett (who later became a member of En Vogue), Ryan Gosling, Britney Spears, and Keri Russell. According to the documentary Driven, Aguilera's Mickey Mouse Club co-stars called her "the Diva". One of her most notable performances was of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing".[12] When the show was canceled 1994, Aguilera began recording demos in an attempt to get signed to a record label.

At the age of fourteen, Aguilera recorded her first song, "All I Wanna Do", a hit duet with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi.[13]

In 1997, she represented the United States at the "Golden Stag" International Festival with a two-song set which included a Sheryl Crow and Diana Ross.[14]

 1998–2001: Pop music beginnings

In 1998, she sang the High "E" in full voice (E5) on a cover of Whitney Houston's "Run to You" which she recorded with an old tape recorder in her bathroom. She was then selected to record the song "Reflection" for the Disney production of Mulan (1998). Recording "Reflection" led to Aguilera earning a contract with RCA Records during the same week.[15] "Reflection" peaked within the top twenty on the Adult Contemporary Singles Chart, and it was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for "Best Original Song" in 1998.
Audio samples:

* "Genie in a Bottle" (1999) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The first hit single from Christina Aguilera peaking at number-one in most of the countries.
* "I Turn to You" (2000) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The third single from her debut album Christina Aguilera.
* "Come on Over Baby (All I Want is You)" (2000) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The last single from her debut album Christina Aguilera.
* Problems playing the files? See media help.

Under the exclusive representation of Steve Kurtz, Aguilera's self-titled debut album Christina Aguilera was released on August 24, 1999. It reached the top of the Billboard 200 and Canadian album charts, selling 8 million copies in the U.S.and over twelve million copies worldwide.[16]

Her singles "Genie in a Bottle", "What a Girl Wants" and "Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" topped the Billboard Hot 100 during 1999 and 2000, and "I Turn to You" reached #3. Aguilera won the "Best New Artist" award at the 2000 Grammy Awards, and she was nominated for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for "Genie in a Bottle". According to the album's songwriters who appeared on the documentary Driven, Aguilera wanted to display the range and audacity in her voice during the promotion of the album, and performed acoustic sets and appeared on television shows accompanied only by a piano.[12] She ended the year on MTV's 2 Large New Year's Special, as she performed and was MTV's first artist of the millennium.

Later in 2000, Aguilera first emphasized her Latin heritage, following the Latin pop trend of the time, by releasing her first Spanish album, Mi Reflejo on September 12, 2000. This album contained Spanish versions of songs from her English debut as well as new Spanish tracks. It peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Latin album charts, and in 2001 it won Aguilera a Latin Grammy Award for "Best Female Pop Vocal Album". The Album has sold 2.5 million copies worldwide and has been certified Gold(500,000) in the USA and 3x Platinum (600,000* Latin album).[17] under the RIAA's Los Premios de Oro y Platino program. She also won the World Music Award as the best selling Latin artist that year. Aguilera also released a Christmas album on October 24, 2000 called My Kind of Christmas. It peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200, has sold 1.5 million copies worldwide, and has been certified Platinum (1 million) in the USA.[18] Ricky Martin asked her to duet with him on the track "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" from his album Sound Loaded; released in 2001 as the album's second single, it reached the top five in the United Kingdom and Germany, top twenty in the U.S., and top forty in Canada, Switzerland, and Australia.
Audio sample:

* "Lady Marmalade" (2001) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The soundtrack for the Moulin Rouge!.
* Problems playing the files? See media help.

In 2001, Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink were chosen to remake Patti LaBelle's 1975 single "Lady Marmalade" for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack. "Lady Marmalade" hit number one on the Hot 100 for five weeks and reached number one in eleven other countries, and it earned all four performers a Grammy Award for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals". Aguilera's appearance in the music video was compared to that of Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider.[19] The video proved to be hit as it won MTV's Video of the Year in 2001.[20]
Aguilera in the music video for "Lady Marmalade" (2001), a collaboration with Lil' Kim, Mya and P!nk.
Aguilera in the music video for "Lady Marmalade" (2001), a collaboration with Lil' Kim, Mya and P!nk.

That year a single emerged into record stores called "Just Be Free", one of the demos Aguilera recorded when she was around fifteen years old. When RCA Records discovered the single, they advised fans not to purchase it and had German authorities pull the single off shelves.[21]

Months later, Warlock Records was set to release Just Be Free, an album which contains the demo tracks. Aguilera filed a breach of contract and unfair-competition suit against Warlock and the album's producers to block the release.[22] Instead, the two parties came to a settlement to release the album. Aguilera lent out her name, likeness and image for an unspecified amount of damages. Many of the details of the lawsuit remain confidential. When the album was released in August 2001, it had a photograph of Aguilera when she was fifteen years old.[23]

Although Aguilera's debut album was very well-received, she was dissatisfied with the music and image her management had created for her. Due to the bubblegum pop trend at the time and the genre's upward financial trend she was limited.[24] She mentioned plans of her next album to have much more depth, both musically and lyrically.[25] Steve Kurtz's influence in matters of the singer's creative direction, the role of being her exclusive personal manager and overscheduling had in part caused her to seek legal means of terminating their management contract.

In October 2000, Aguilera filed a Breach of Fiduciary Duty lawsuit against Kurtz for improper, undue and inappropriate influence over her professional activities, as well as fraud. According to legal documents, Kurtz did not protect her rights and interests. Instead, he took action that was for his own interest, at the cost of hers. The lawsuit came about when Aguilera discovered Kurtz used more of her commissionable income than he was allotted, and had paid other managers to assist him. She also petitioned the California State Labor Commission to nullify the contract. After terminating Kurtz's services, Irving Azoff was hired as her new manager.[26] The change in management marked a new change in how Aguilera was marketed, as well as what music she would do in the future.

Kurtz countersued later that month for breach of contract, claiming that the singer violated the same agreement she had sued to void. In the lawsuit, he included others close to Aguilera, alleging their intent to sabotage his business relationship with Aguilera. He also singled out Azoff for being in violation of the terms of Kurtz's contract.[26] During this time and working on her second album she revealed that she was betrayed by several friends, where she hit rock bottom. She used this as therapy for her upcoming album saying, "this record saved me from insanity."[27]

 2002–2003: Stripped era

On October 29, 2002, after much delay, Aguilera's second full-length English album, Stripped, was released selling more than 330,000 copies in the first week and peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200. Unlike previous work, the album showcased Aguilera's raunchier side.[28] The majority of Stripped was co-written by Aguilera (who had recently signed a global music publishing deal with BMG Music Publishing), and was influenced by many different subjects and music styles, including rhythm and blues, gospel, soul, balladry, pop rock, hip-hop and jazz.[29][30] The album was very well-received by critics although Aguilera's vocals were overlooked as she began to cultivate a more sexually provocative image.[31][32] After the release of the album, she took part in photoshoots for magazines such as Maxim, Rolling Stone,[33] and CosmoGirl!. Many of these photographs featured her nude or semi-nude. She denied that this change was a matter of publicity, claiming that the image better reflected her true personality than did the image she cultivated back in 1999. It was during this time Aguilera referred to herself as "Xtina," even getting a tattoo of her nickname on the back of her neck and several piercings.[34]
Audio samples:

* "Dirrty" (2002) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The lead single from her album Stripped.
* "Beautiful" (2002) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The most successful single from her album Stripped peaking at number-one in UK and number-two in U.S..
* "Fighter" (2003) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The third single from her album Stripped.
* Problems playing the files? See media help.

Initially, the raunchy image had a negative effect on Aguilera in the U.S., especially after the release of her controversial "Dirrty" music video. While the video for "Dirrty" became a huge hit on MTV, it disappointed on the U.S. singles chart. However, the single was a hit worldwide, reaching number one in the UK and Ireland. The album reached the top five on the UK, U.S. and Canadian album charts, though it was initially considered a "sophomore slump." The second single, "Beautiful", became a huge radio hit and earned her another Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Three more singles from the album ("Fighter", "Can't Hold Us Down" featuring Lil' Kim, "The Voice Within") were released in the following two years and were huge hits helping the album stay on the charts for the next two years - "Infatuation" was only released as single in Spain instead of "The Voice Within". Stripped stayed on the U.S. and UK album charts until well into 2004, and went on to be certified 4x platinum in the U.S., ending up at number ten on Billboard's year-end album chart. Kelly Clarkson's second single "Miss Independent" was co-written by Aguilera, having been half-finished for Stripped. Stripped is certified 4x platinum in the US and has sold over nine million copies worldwide.[35][36]

In June, Aguilera joined Justin Timberlake on the final leg of his international Justified tour, held in the U.S. This portion of the tour became a co-headliner called the Justified & Stripped Tour. In August, an overhead lighting grid collapsed from the ceiling of the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, causing major damage to the sound and video equipment below. Because the collapse occurred hours before the show, only a few stagehands were injured, but a few shows were cancelled or postponed. In the fourth quarter of that year, Aguilera continued to tour internationally without Timberlake, and changed the name of the tour to the Stripped tour. She also dyed her hair black. It was one of the top-grossing tours of that year, and sold out most of its venues. Rolling Stone readers named it the best tour of the year.[37] She became the muse and model for fashion house Versace.[38] She also topped Maxim's Hot 100 list setting record sales for the issue later saying, "We had fun working with certain clothes, or the lack thereof".[39][40]

In light of the tour's success, another U.S. tour was scheduled to begin in mid-2004 with a new theme and featuring Chingy as an opening act. The tour was scrapped because of Aguilera's vocal cord injuries suffered shortly before its opening date. It was later reported by the British tabloid newspaper The Sun that low ticket sales and lack of new material were actually the major contributing factors in the tour's cancellation. Aguilera has since denied the report.[41] In a tribute to Madonna's performance at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards' ceremony, Aguilera performed a kiss with the singer-actress at the 2003 edition of the ceremony in August. The incident occurred during the opening performance of Madonna's songs "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood" with fellow popstar Britney Spears.[42]

 2004–2005: Post-Stripped activities and transition

Aguilera later decided to embrace a more mature image; this move was met with more praise than criticism, with articles using punch lines such as "From Crass to Class".[43] She eventually dyed her hair cherry blonde and recorded a jingle, "Hello", for a Mercedes-Benz ad, becoming the new face of Mercedes-Benz. The single was originally going to be released to advertise 'Mercedes-Benz' but it was never pulled through as she had already started working on new material. Shortly after, she dyed her hair blonde and cut it short, and took on a Marilyn Monroe look; many of her fans believe she is one of the main proponents (along with Dita Von Teese, Gwen Stefani, the Puppini Sisters and Ashley Judd) in bringing back the 1920s-1940s Hollywood glamour look.[44][45]

In the run-up to the 2004 United States presidential election, Aguilera was featured on billboards for the "Only You Can Silence Yourself" online voter registration drive run by the nonpartisan, non-profit campaign "Declare Yourself". In these political advertisements, shot by David LaChapelle, Aguilera was shown with her mouth sewn shut, to symbolize the effects of not voting. She appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss the importance of voting.

In late summer 2004 Aguilera released two singles. The first, "Car Wash", was a remake of the Rose Royce disco song recorded as a collaboration with rapper Missy Elliott for the soundtrack to the film Shark Tale. The second song is also a collaboration, but this time as a second single from one of Nelly's double-release albums, Sweat, titled "Tilt Ya Head Back". Both singles failed commercially in the U.S., but did considerably better in other parts of the world. After much delay, Aguilera's first DVD live-recording from a concert tour, Stripped Live in the UK, was released in November 2004. In late December she officially released a fragrance, Xpose, which has only been available in a few European countries.[46]

Aguilera collaborated with jazz artist Herbie Hancock on a cover of Leon Russell's "A Song for You" recorded for Hancock's album Possibilities, released in August 2005. Aguilera and Hancock were later nominated for the Grammy Award for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals". Aguilera went back to her Mickey Mouse Club roots when she helped open the 50th Anniversary for Disneyland by performing "When You Wish upon a Star", and she also collaborated with Andrea Bocelli on the song "Somos Novios" for his album Amore, released in early 2006. She performed at "Unite of the Stars" charity banquet in Johannesburg, South Africa in late 2005 with stars such as Diana Ross and Westlife in aid of Unite Against Hunger, and she also performed at the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund at the Coca-Cola Dome in November.[47]

 2006–present: Back to Basics

In March 2006, Aguilera signed a contract with European cell phone operator Orange to promote the new Sony Ericsson Walkman phone. She was featured in a Pepsi commercial alongside Lebanese singer Elissa, as well as Korean pop singer Rain in May. The spot aired during the 2006 World Cup.

She posed nude for a Marilyn Monroe-inspired photoshoot in the May 2006 issue of GQ magazine. She also granted the magazine an interview in that issue, in which she expressed disappointment in fellow singer Mariah Carey, saying, "She was never cool to me... to the point that one time we were at a party, and I think she got really drunk, and she had just really derogatory things to say to me." In response, Carey issued a press release saying, "It is sad yet predictable that she would use my name at this time to reinvent past incidents for her promotional gain."[48] Aguilera then released her own statement claiming, "My intentions were not to upset Mariah with any statements that were published or taken out of context. I have all the respect in the world for her."[49]
Audio samples:

* "Ain't No Other Man" (2006) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The lead single from her album Back to Basics.
* "Hurt" (2006) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The second single from her album Back to Basics.
* "Candyman" (2007) (file info) — [Play media] play in browser (beta)
o The third single from her album Back to Basics.
* Problems playing the files? See media help.

Aguilera's third English studio album, Back to Basics, released August 15, 2006, went to #1 in 13 countries. The critically-acclaimed lead single "Ain't No Other Man" was a substantial success, reaching #2 on the United World Chart, #6 in the U.S., and the top 5 in Europe. The single was regarded as a good comeback song, since she was out of the spotlight since Stripped. Aguilera described the double CD as "a throwback to the 20s, 30s, and 40s-style jazz, blues, and feel-good soul music, but with a modern twist."[50] To date, the album is the biggest selling double-album by a female artist.[51] Producers on the album included DJ Premier, Kwamé, Linda Perry, and Mark Ronson. One track, "F.U.S.S.", was written as a response to the animosity between Aguilera and Scott Storch during the recording of Stripped. In the interview with Maxim, she said, "That’s a way of burying my experience with him. We did great work on Stripped... When I tried to work with him again, he made uncalled-for demands. It was disappointing that someone would get affected like that."[52] She received writing credit for every track and was the executive producer for the album, which debuted at number one in the U.S. and the U.K. She was the highest selling female artist of 2006, until Beyonce debuted a couple weeks later with her new solo effort B' Day.[53]. The follow-up singles "Hurt" and "Candyman" have charted top 25 in the U.S. and the U.K. Hurt did considerably well in Europe, becoming the biggest single of her entire career in many European countries and topping the the European Hot100 Chart. Instead Candyman performed well in the Pacific; ranking number 2 in Australia and New Zealand. She co-directed both music videos, the former with Floria Sigismondi who directed her "Fighter" video,[54] and the latter, "Candyman", with director/photographer Matthew Rolston which was inspired by The Andrews Sisters.[55]
Aguilera performing on the Back to Basics Tour.
Aguilera performing on the Back to Basics Tour.

Aside from promoting her own album, Aguilera collaborated with Sean "Diddy" Combs on a track, titled "Tell Me", from his album "Press Play". The single was released in late 2006. The single debuted at number #20 in the UK based on downloads alone, then jumped to number #8 the next week.

She announced her "Back to Basics Tour" with eighteen European dates which began November 17 and ended December 17.[56] Following this, contrary to her previous plans to tour blues and jazz clubs for a more intimate setting, she will tour North America in a 41-date arena tour, which began February 20, 2007 in Houston and ended on May 23 in San Diego.[57] After this, she will tour Asia and Australia, which will begin June 18 in Osaka and will end on August 3 in Auckland. It has not yet been confirmed whether she will continue her tour for Latin America.

She insisted that the jazz club tour would push through sometime after. "We're definitely going to mix it up, change it up, do some things that are not on the record, do some favorite classics of mine."[58]

At the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, Aguilera again won the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Ain't No Other Man". She made a noteworthy performance at the ceremony paying tribute to James Brown with her rendition of his song "It's a Man's Man's Man's World".[59] In January 2007, Aguilera was named the 19th richest woman in entertainment by Forbes, with a net worth of US$60 million.[60] Aguilera announced the signing of an international licensing agreement with Procter & Gamble to create Christina Aguilera fragrances. In May 2007 it was announced that the perfume would be named 'Simply Christina Aguilera' and the shape of the bottle would be Aguilera's body. Ads for it are now out, baring the diva's naked back in a black background with tagline 'Sometimes it's all you need to wear'.[61] Aguilera said, "I love trying new things in my music and in fashion. To have a perfume of my own is the beginning of an exciting adventure."[61]

On June 12, 2007 the John Lennon tribute CD, Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, featuring many notable performers, including Christina Aguilera and her rendition of "Mother" was released to critical acclaim.[1]

 Future/Fourth Album

It has been announced by the Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant that in 2008 Christina will get a star in the Hollywood Walk Of Fame alongside Ricky Martin, Brooks & Dunn, Tim Robbins, Cate Blanchett, Angela Bassett, Howie Mandel and the late George Harrison.

Aguilera says she is already moving on, gathering inspiration for the next album, which she promised would be "completely different from this one."

Aguilera offered no hints what that new style would be, but did make one promise: It will be a single album. "We're going to keep it short and sweet," she said.[62][63][64]


 Acting career

Unlike her contemporaries, Aguilera has never appeared in movies but she has done numerous television appearances and guestings. She made a cameo appearance performing on an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210, and hosted a well-received Saturday Night Live episode in 2004. She's mentioned in an interview that her agenda for 2003 were touring and acting. Given the opportunity, she would like to do the roles which Angelina Jolie usually plays "like in the film Girl Interrupted. Something with substance."[65]

She became a part of the soundtracks for several Hollywood films including Mulan, and the Oscar-winning musical Moulin Rouge! In 2004's Shark Tale, she only voiced a small part in the animated film.

Aguilera is currently being lined up to play the notorious burlesque stripper Tempest Storm in a new film biopic.[66]

 Charity work

Throughout her career, Aguilera has been involved with certain charities. She signed a letter from PETA to the South Korean government asking that the country stop its alleged killing of dogs for food.[67] Her involvement in supporting the Defenders of Wildlife have also added to her donations with charities.

Aguilera is still a major contributor in her hometown of Pittsburgh contributing regularly to the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. According to her official website, she toured the center and donated $200,000 to the shelter. She also has auctioned off front row seats and back stage passes for the Pittsburgh based charity.[68] She has continued her donations and visits to the shelter, and plans to open an additional one.[69] She also supports the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Refuge UK.[70] Since then she has worked with Lifetime Television's 'End violence against women' campaign. Her work there included a public service announcement which aired on the network and during her 2007 tour.[71]

Aguilera contributes in the fight against AIDS, by participating in AIDS Project Los Angeles' Artists Against AIDS "What's Going On?" cover project. In 2004, Aguilera became the new face for cosmetic company M·A·C and spokesperson for M·A·C AIDS Fund. Aguilera appeared in advertisements of the M·A·C's Viva Glam V lipstick and lipgloss. In addition, Aguilera contributed to YouthAIDS by posing for a joint YouthAIDS and Aldo Shoes campaign for "Empowerment Tags" in Canada, the U.S. and the UK. She was featured with one of three ubiquitous slogans, "Speak No Evil?" and stated, "HIV is something that people don’t want to talk about, hear about, or face."[72][73] Singer Elton John hand-picked Aguilera, among others, for his Fashion Rocks concert benefiting his AIDS foundation.[74] The show, which accompanies music and fashion to benefit the fight against AIDS/HIV, is televised annually and aired in September.

In November 2005, all of her wedding gifts were submitted to various charities around the nation in support of Hurricane Katrina victims.[75] In March 2007 it was announced that Aguilera will take part in a charity album (remaking Lennon's "Mother"), proceeds will benefit Amnesty International's efforts to end genocide in Darfur.[76] The album titled "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur" will be released June 12, which features John Lennon covers sung by several artists.[77]

 Personal life

In 2000, Aguilera was rumored to have dated MTV VJ Carson Daly.[78] The relationship was the subject of much discussion after the release of Eminem's song "The Real Slim Shady", in which Eminem satirically suggests that Aguilera had performed fellatio on both Daly and Fred Durst, the lead singer of Limp Bizkit, and had given the rapper himself a venereal disease. Aguilera called the song's innuendo "disgusting" and "untrue."[79] Aguilera and Eminem reportedly resolved the issue three years later backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards.[80]

She dated Puerto Rican-born dancer Jorge Santos for two years until the relationship ended in September 2001.[81]

In late 2002, Aguilera began dating music marketing executive Jordan Bratman. Their engagement was announced in February 2005,[82] and they married on November 19, 2005, in the Napa Valley.[83] The couple celebrated their one year anniversary in Dublin, Ireland where she was on tour at the time. They are expecting their first child.

In March 2007, producer Dallas Austin alleged in a video interview with SOHO Magazine that Aguilera had sex with him and several of his friends. He also alleged details about Bratman, who Dallas referred to as his old best friend.[84] Several days following the incident Dallas admitted that he lied and issued an apology stating, "My statement about Christina Aguilera was a reaction to an incident I care not to discuss in any forum - I do owe an apology to Christina." Aguilera's rep responded with, "She's not commenting on such ridiculous statements, and we are consulting a lawyer to explore her options."[85]

On July 3, 2007, it was announced on E! website that Christina and her husband Jordan Bratman will be expecting a baby.[86][87] The pregnancy was also confirmed by her estranged father.[88]

 Vocal ability

Aguilera, a spinto soprano, known for her strong vocals and powerful voice, has rivaled many of her other contemporaries and has been referred to as the "voice of her generation."[89][90] In the MTV special All Eyes on Christina, John Norris said that Aguilera "has a four-octave vocal range."[91] Aguilera has been noted to possess the ability to hit notes in the whistle register. However, she does not use this as much, and prefers to sing more powerful, mid-range notes. Aguilera also topped COVE's list of 100 Best Pop Vocalist with a score of 50, and MTV's 22 Greatest Voices.[92] A review in an Entertainment Weekly article mentions her "tackling that dog-whistle high note" at the 3:20 mark in the song "Soar".[93] The song is track 14 from the album Stripped.

 Discography

 Studio albums

1. Christina Aguilera (August 24, 1999)
2. Stripped (October 29, 2002)
3. Back to Basics (August 15, 2006)

 Compilations

1. Mi Reflejo (September 12, 2000) (Spanish Language)
2. My Kind of Christmas (October 24, 2000) (Holiday Compilation)

 Unofficial

1. Just Be Free (August 21, 2001)

 Number-one singles
The following singles reached number one in the United World Chart, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany and/or Europe. Their peak positions are shown. For a full singles discography, see Christina Aguilera discography.
Year Single Peak positions[94][95][96][97][98]
WORLD U.S. UK CAN AUS GER
1999 "Genie in a Bottle" 1 1 1 1 2 2
2000 "What a Girl Wants" 1 1 3 5 5 18
"Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" 4 1 8 14 9 23
2001 "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" (with Ricky Martin) 1 13 4 6 8 5
"Lady Marmalade" (with Missy Elliott, P!nk, Lil' Kim and Mya) 1 1 1 17 1 1
2002 "Dirrty" (featuring Redman) 5 48 1 5 4 4
"Beautiful" 1 2 1 1 1 4
Total Number-one hits 5 4 4 2 2 1

 Collaborations and featured singles

* 1995: "All I Wanna Do"(with Keizo Nakanishi)[99]
* 2000: "Si No Te Hubiera Conocido" (with Luis Fonsi)
* 2001: "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" (with Ricky Martin)
* 2001: "Lady Marmalade" (with P!nk, Lil' Kim & Mya)
* 2002: "What's Going On" (featured with others apart of MTV's All-Star Collaboration)
* 2002: "Dirrty" (featuring Redman)
* 2003: "Can't Hold Us Down" (featuring Lil' Kim)
* 2004: "Car Wash" (featuring Missy Elliott)
* 2004: "Tilt Ya Head Back" (with Nelly)
* 2005: "A Song For You" (with Herbie Hancock)
* 2006: "Somos Novios (It's Impossible)" (with Andrea Bocelli)
* 2006: "Tell Me" (with Diddy)

 Filmography

* 1993 - 1995: Mickey Mouse Club —Herself
* 1999: Beverly Hills 90210 —Herself
* 1999: Genie Gets Her Wish —Herself; Autobiographical Presentation.
* 2000: Saturday Night Live - Musical Guest
* 2000: My Reflection — Video Release of ABC Special
* 2003: Saturday Night Live — Musical Guest
* 2004: Stripped Live in the UK — Live DVD
* 2004: Shark Tale — Voice
* 2004: Saturday Night Live — Host
* 2006: Saturday Night Live — Musical Guest
* 2006: Back to Basics & Beyond — Walmart Special Edition DVD
* 2007: Back to Basics Bonus DVD
* 2007: Back To Basics Tour Live In Melbourne

 Awards


Year Category Genre Recording Result
Grammy Awards
2000 Best New Artist General N/A Won
2000 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Pop "Genie In A Bottle" Nomination
2001 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Pop "What A Girl Wants" Nominated
2001 Best Latin Pop Album Latin Mi Reflejo Nominated
2002 Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Pop "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" (with Ricky Martin) Nominated
2002 Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Pop "Lady Marmalade" (with Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink) Won
2003 Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Pop "Dirrty" (featuring Redman) Nominated
2004 Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Pop "Can't Hold Us Down" (featuring Lil' Kim) Nominated
2004 Best Pop Vocal Album Pop Stripped Nominated
2004 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Pop "Beautiful" Won
2006 Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Pop "A Song For You" (with Herbie Hancock) Nominated
2007 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Pop "Ain't No Other Man" Won
2007 Best Pop Vocal Album Pop Back to Basics Nominated
Latin Grammy Awards
2000 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Pop "Genio Atrapado" Nominated
2001 Record of the Year General "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti" Nominated
2001 Best Female Pop Vocal Album Pop Mi Reflejo Won

 References

1. ^ How to pronounce Christina Aguilera at inogolo.com
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6. ^ Helligar, Jeremy; Majewski, Lori (February 3, 2003). "Christina's World". Us Weekly.
7. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (June 28, 2006). Christina Aguilera Can Die Happy — She's Bonded With 'Bad Girl' Idol Etta James". MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
8. ^ Billboard Magazine; Al Gomes (June 19, 2001). Christina performs on the 2001 BET Awards in a special tribute to Whitney Houston. BigNoiseNow. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
9. ^ Newman, Melinda (July 24, 2006). Christina Aguilera takes inspiration from `30s and `40s idols for new album. Monsters & Critics. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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11. ^ Dominguez, Pier (2002). Christina Aguilera: A Star is Made: The Unauthorized parties and in talent competitions, which she usually won. Aguilera soon gained media Biography. Amber Books. ISBN 0-9702224-5-9.
12. ^ a b c d VH1 Driven's Christina Aguilera episode summary. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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18. ^ BigNoiseNow. 'Mi Reflejo' goes gold (January 4, 2002). Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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24. ^ Ananova. Aguilera would like to change her image. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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28. ^ Jenison, David (November 6, 2002). Em's "8 Mile" Outstrips Christina. E! News. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
29. ^ Rubin, Mike (November 28, 2002). Stripped Album Review", Rolling Stone. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
30. ^ Powers, Ann (2002). What a girl wants, apparently, is to be verry, verry dirrty". Blender. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
31. ^ D'Angelo, Joe (October 18, 2002). 'Dirrty' Christina Aguilera Video Thai-ed To Sex Industry". MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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35. ^ Dixon, Arica (September 14, 2006). Going Back to Basics". Rampway Online. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
36. ^ Dirty Girl Cleans Up. Rolling Stone magazine. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
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39. ^ Keith, Bill (March 2007). Ain't no Other Girl. Maxim. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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42. ^ Duerden, Nick (December 2003). The Good, the Bad and the Dirrty. Blender. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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44. ^ Hello magazine (October 20, 2004). Chrirstina turns Hollywood pin-up in latest shoot. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
45. ^ Edwards, Tanya L. (November 4, 2004). Christina, Gwen Stefani, Dita Von Teese Help Bring Back Burlesque. MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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51. ^ Celebrities Making a Difference. LifetimeTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
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54. ^ Stevenson, Jane (February 7, 2007). Aguilera on her Juno nomination: Christina on her Juno nominations. Ottawa Sun. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
55. ^ Moss, Corety (February 21, 2007). Xtina X Three: Aguilera Has Multiple-Personality Disorder In Clip. MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
56. ^ PRNewswire (September 11, 2006). Aguilera announces Euro tour. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
57. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (October 12, 2006). Christina Aguilera's Heading Back On Tour For 41 North American Dates. MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
58. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (August 23, 2006). Christina Clip Got A Boost From Outkast. MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
59. ^ Micallef, Ken (February 11, 2007). Dixie Chicks Make Nice With Five Grammys Grammy.com. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
60. ^ Goldman, Lea; Blakeley, Kiri (February 18, 2007). The 20 Richest Women In Entertainment. Forbes. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
61. ^ a b Finn, Natalie (January 11, 2007). Xtina Makes Scents. E! News. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
62. ^ http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/
63. ^ http://hosted.ap.org/
64. ^ http://www.transworldnews.com/
65. ^ Reiter, Amy (December 9, 2002). Dirrty flicks. Salon.com. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
66. ^ Entertainmentwise (May 22, 2007). Christina Aguilera To Star As Tempest Storm. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
67. ^ Travis, Neal (September 13, 2001). "Terror Attack Blows D.A.'s Timing". New York Post, p. 67. Retrieved on April 21, 2007.
68. ^ Post Gazette (July 15, 2003). Aguilera auction to aid battered women. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
69. ^ MTV News staff (July 27, 2006). Aguilera wants to open domestic-abuse shelter MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
70. ^ Christina Aguilera Charities. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
71. ^ Yahoo! Finance (April 3, 2007). Multi-Grammy Winner Aguilera Takes Campaign on 'Back to Basics' Concert Tour. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
72. ^ Hear No Evil?. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
73. ^ Christina Multimedia. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
74. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (July 6, 2006). Elton Curating Fashion Rocks, Busy With New CD. Billboard. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
75. ^ Watson, Donna (October 21, 2005). Chrissie Presents. Daily Record. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
76. ^ USA Today (March 11, 2007). Aguilera takes part in All-Star charity project.. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
77. ^ Market Wire (April 30, 2007). Artists Unite in Donating Tracks to "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur," to Be Released by Warner Bros. Records June 12. Retrieved on May 13, 2007.
78. ^ Merin, Jennifer (February 11, 2000).Fleshing out the vital details. USA Today. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
79. ^ Takahashi, Corey (May 5, 2000). Fight Clubs. EW. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
80. ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 30, 2002). Eminem Hugs Christina. MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
81. ^ US magazine. Christina Aguilera. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
82. ^ BBC (February 13, 2005). Singer Christina Aguilera to wed. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
83. ^ "Aguilera ties knot", Herald Sun (Melbourne), Nationwide News Pty Limited, November 22, 2005, p. 3. Retrieved on 2007-04-21.
84. ^ Scott, Kevin R. (March 16, 2006). SOHH Soulful: Dallas Austin Calls Out Christina Aguilera & Joss Stone, "All These Bitches Be F*&kin' For Tracks". SOHH. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
85. ^ Eldredge, Richard; Murray, Sonia (March 20, 2007). Dallas Austin's "apology". Access Atlanta. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
86. ^ Froelich, Paula. "Baby Boomlet". New York Post. June 20, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2007.
87. ^ Christina Xpecting EOnline.com Retrieved on July 4, 2007
88. ^ Aguilera's Father Confirms Pregnancy Hollywood.com Retrieved on July 4, 2007
89. ^ Holder, Peter, Jo Casamento. "Genie out of a bottle", The Daily Telegraph (Sydney), March 10, 2000, p. 16. Retrieved on 2007-04-21.
90. ^ Farber, Jim. "Christina glitzes up Garden", New York Daily News, March 24, 2007, p. 16. Retrieved on 2007-04-21.
91. ^ Norris, John (October 4, 2006). All Eyes On Christina Aguilera. MTV. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
92. ^ Cove magazine. The 100 Outstanding Pop Vocalists. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
93. ^ Slezak, Michael (August 15, 2006). The Essential Aguilera. EW. Retrieved on May 25, 2007.
94. ^ Christina Aguilera: Billboard Singles
95. ^ UK Top 40 Hit Database
96. ^ Australian Singles Chart
97. ^ United World Chart
98. ^ World Chart Show
99. ^ "Christina Aguilera Biography".All Music Guide, January 17, 2007.

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