Christina Aguilera

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christina María Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is an American pop/R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. After appearing on local talent shows and the Disney Channel's The New Mickey Mouse Club, 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 commercial success spawning three number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. A Latin pop album, Mi Reflejo (2001), and several collaborations followed which garnered Aguilera worldwide success, but she was displeased with the lack of input in her music and image.

After parting from her management, Aguilera took creative control over her second studio album

(2002),

[7]

which received mixed reviews and produced substantial sales. The second single, "", was a commercial success and sustained the album's sales amidst controversy over Aguilera's sexual image.

[8]

[9]

[10]

Aguilera's third studio album

Back to Basics

(2006), included elements of , , and music, and was released to positive critical reception. She will release her album,

Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade of Hits

scheduled for release on November 11, 2008.

[11]

Aguilera is currently in the studio working on her forthcoming album.

Aside from being known for her vocal ability, and ever-changing image, musically, she includes themes of dealing with public scrutiny, her childhood, and female empowerment.

[13]

Apart from her work in music, she has also dedicated much of her time as a for charities, human rights and world issues. Aguilera's work has earned her numerous awards including five amongst eighteen nominations. She has become one of the most successful recording artists of the decade, selling more than 37 million worldwide.

[14]

Contents 1 Music career 1.1 Early life and career 1.2 1998-2001: Pop music beginnings and Christina Aguilera 1.3 2002–2003: Stripped era 1.4 2004–2007: Artistic development 1.5 2008-present: Keeps Gettin' Better and fourth album 2 Musicianship 2.1 Vocal ability 2.2 Influences 3 Film and television 4 Products and endorsement 5 Philanthropy 6 Personal life 6.1 1999-2003 6.2 2004-2008 7 Discography 8 Filmography 9 Awards 10 References 11 External links

Music career

Early life and career Aguilera was born in Staten Island , New York , to Fausto Wagner Xavier Aguilera, a Sergeant in the U.S. Army at the time and Shelly Loraine Fidler, a teacher of Spanish language . Aguilera's father was born in Guayaquil , Ecuador , while her mother is of Irish [15] descent (Christina's maternal grandmother emigrated from County Clare .) [16] 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 seven 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 suburb outside of Pittsburgh . According to both Aguilera and Fidler, her father was very controlling, as well as physically and emotionally abusive . [17] She later wrote about her difficult childhood in the songs "I'm OK" in Stripped, and "Oh Mother" in Back to Basics. Although her father has written to Aguilera, she has ruled out any chance to reunite with him. [18] Since then, Fidler has married a paramedic named Jim Kearns, and changed her name. [19] As a child, Aguilera aspired to be a singer. She was known locally as "the little girl with the big voice," singing in local talent shows and competitions. [20] [21] According to VH1 's Driven, whenever competitors learned they would be up against her in any given week, they would immediately withdraw, 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 (this time, Wexford ) and took to secrecy about Aguilera's talent lest another backlash occur. [22] 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. People remarked that the then ten-year-old "sounded 20." [22] Throughout her youth in Pittsburgh, Aguilera sang " The Star-Spangled Banner " before Pittsburgh Penguins hockey , 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 , Britney Spears , Ryan Gosling , and Keri Russell , the show lasted another year until its cancellation. According to the documentary Driven, Aguilera's co-stars called her "the Diva ". One of her most notable performances was of Whitney Houston's " I Have Nothing ". [22] At the age of fourteen, Aguilera recorded her first song, "All I Wanna Do", a hit duet with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi. [23] In 1997, she represented the United States at the "Golden Stag" International Festival with a two-song set. [24]

1998-2001: Pop music beginnings and Christina Aguilera

In 1998, Aguilera sang the High "E" in full voice (

) on a cover of Whitney Houston's "" which she recorded with a in her bathroom. She was then selected to record the song "" for the production of

Mulan

(1998). Recording "Reflection" led to Aguilera earning a contract with the same week.

[25]

"Reflection" peaked within the top twenty on the , and it was nominated for a for "" in 1998.

Under the exclusive representation of Steve Kurtz, Aguilera's self-titled debut album

was released on August 24, 1999. It reached the top of the and album charts, selling eight million copies in the U.S.

[18]

and over twelve million copies worldwide.

[26]

The album is also included in the Top 100 Albums of All Time list of The (RIAA) based on US sales.

[27]

Her singles "

", "" and "" topped the during 1999 and 2000, and "" reached #3. According to the album's songwriters, 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.

[22]

She ended the year on MTV's New Year's Special, as she performed and was 's first artist of the millennium. At the Aguilera received a nomination for "Genie in a Bottle" and despite earlier predictions, she won the award for .

[28]

Later in 2000, Aguilera first emphasized her

heritage 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. Though some criticized Aguilera for trying to cash in on the boom at the time. The album still managed to peak at #27 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Latin album charts. In 2001, it won Aguilera a for . The album went Gold in the US and sold 3 million worldwide.

[29]

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, and has been certified Platinum in the US.

[30]

asked Aguilera to duet with him on the track "" from his album

Sound Loaded

; released in 2001 as the album's second single, which reached #1 on the World Chart.

In 2001, Aguilera,

, , and were chosen to remake 's 1975 single "" for the film

Moulin Rouge!

and its . The single produced 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 . Aguilera's appearance in the was compared to that of frontman .

[31]

The video won two MTV Video Music Awards including in 2001, where Aguilera accepted the award saying, "I guess the big hair paid off."

[32]

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.

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.

[34]

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.

[35]

Although Aguilera's debut album was very well received, she was dissatisfied with the music and image her management had created for her. Aguilera was marketed as a

singer because of the genre's upward financial trend.

[36]

She mentioned plans of her next album to have much more depth, both musically and lyrically.

[37]

Aguilera's views of 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.

[38]

In October 2000, Aguilera filed a Breach of Fiduciary Duty

against Kurtz for improper, undue and inappropriate influence over her professional activities, as well as . 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 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, was hired as her new manager.

[38]

Kurtz countersued later that month for

, 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 her. He also singled out Azoff for being in violation of the terms of Kurtz's contract.

[39]

During this time, while she was also working on her second album, she later revealed that she was betrayed by several friends, and hit rock bottom. She used her then-upcoming album as therapy, saying "this record saved me from insanity."

[40]

2002–2003: Stripped era

On October 29, 2002, after much delay, Aguilera's second full-length English album,

, 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.

[41]

The majority of Stripped was co-written by Aguilera (who had recently signed a global music publishing contract with ), and was influenced by many different subjects and music styles, including , , , , , and . The majority of the album was produced by and singer-songwriter who produced her more personal records. and singer also contributed a track each.

[42]

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Upon initial release, the album was very well-received by critics, although Aguilera's vocals were overlooked as she began to cultivate a more sexually provocative image.

[44]

After the release of the album, she took part in photoshoots for magazines, many of these photographs featured her nude or semi-nude. Her cover for

Rolling Stone

,

[45]

featured the singer only wearing boots and a well-placed . It was during this time Aguilera referred to herself as "Xtina", even getting a of her nickname on the back of her neck and several piercings.

[46]

Initially, the raunchy image had a negative effect on Aguilera in the U.S., especially after the release of her controversial "

" music video.

[47]

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. While the video for "Dirrty" became very popular 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 U.K., U.S. and Canadian album charts, though it was initially considered a "". The second single, "" received critical praise, the influenced ballad reached number one in several countries and peaked at #2 in the US. "Beautiful" earned Aguilera the Grammy for . Three more singles ("", "" featuring , "") were released in the following two years and were hits that helped the album stay on the charts for the next two years. Stripped stayed on the U.S. and UK album charts well into 2004, and went on to be certified four-times platinum in the U.S. with over nine million copies sold worldwide.

[48]

It appeared at number ten on year-end album chart. 's second single "" was co-written by Aguilera, having been half-finished for Stripped.

Aguilera joined

that June 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 "". In August, an overhead lighting grid collapsed from the ceiling of the in , , 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 "". 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.

[49]

She was a special guest performer with the 's dance troupe and appeared on a

Maxim

spread alongside them.

[50]

Her second Maxim cover that year set record sales for the issue, by the end of the year she topped the annual Hot 100 list later saying, "We had fun working with certain clothes, or the lack thereof."

[51]

After much delay, Aguilera's first live-recording from a concert tour,

Stripped Live in the UK

, was released in November 2004.

In light of the tour's success, another U.S. tour was scheduled to begin in mid-2004 with a new theme. The tour however was scrapped because of the vocal cord injuries Aguilera suffered shortly before the tour's opening date. In a tribute to Madonna's performance at the inaugural

, 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 "" and "" with fellow popstar .

[18]

2004–2007: Artistic development

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."

She eventually dyed her hair cherry blonde and recorded a jingle, "", for a ad. Shortly after, she dyed her hair blonde and cut it short, and took on a look; many of her fans believe she is one of the main proponents (along with , , and ) in bringing back the 1920s-1940s glamour look.

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In late summer 2004, Aguilera released two singles. The first, "

", was a remake of the song recorded as a collaboration with rapper for the soundtrack to the film

Shark Tale

. The second song was also a collaboration, but this time as a second single from one of 's double-release albums,

Sweat

, titled "". Both singles failed commercially in the U.S., but did considerably better in other parts of the world.

Aguilera collaborated with

artist on a cover of 's "" recorded for Hancock's album

Possibilities

, released in August 2005. Aguilera and Hancock were later nominated for the Grammy Award for . She helped open the for performing "", and she also collaborated with on the song "" for his album

Amore

.

Aguilera's third English studio album,

, released August 15, 2006, debuted at #1 in the U.S., the U.K. and eleven other countries. Aguilera described the as "a throwback to the 20s, 30s, and 40s-style jazz, , and feel-good soul music, but with a modern twist."

[55]

The critically-acclaimed lead single "" was a substantial success, reaching #2 on the United World Chart, #6 in the U.S., and #2 in U.K. Producers on the album included , , Linda Perry, and . One track, "F.U.S.S.", was written as a response to the animosity between Aguilera and her former producer . In an interview she said, "That’s a way of burying my experience with him. When I tried to work with him again, he made uncalled-for demands. It was disappointing that someone would get affected like that."

[56]

She received writing credit for the album and was the . The follow-up singles did very well in different regions, "" in Europe and "" in the . She co-directed both music videos, the former with who directed her "Fighter" video,

[57]

and the latter, "Candyman", with director/photographer which was inspired by .

[58]

Back to Basics was certified platinum in the US[

dead link

] and has sold over 4 million copies worldwide as of 2007.

[59]

In late 2006 Aguilera collaborated with

on a track, titled "", from his album

Press Play

. She also began the "" in Europe

[60]

followed by a 41-date North American tour in early 2007.

[61]

After this, she toured Asia and Australia, where it was supposed to end on August 3, however she canceled her dates in and her final two in due to an illness.

[62]

Her extravagant arena tour included , and sets and 10 piece costumes designed by .

[63]

It was the most successful US tour by a female in 2007.

[64]

In early 2008, she released her concert DVD

Back to Basics: Live and Down Under

.

At the

, 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 with her rendition of his song "".

[65]

In January 2007, she was named the 19th richest woman in entertainment by

Forbes

, with a net worth of 60 million.

[66]

Aguilera performed "

" with on his special Tony Bennett: An American Classic and on

Saturday Night Live

. They performed at the where both specials received Emmys. "Steppin' Out" was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the .

2008-present: Keeps Gettin' Better and fourth album

To commemorate Aguilera's ten years in the music industry, she will release,

on November 11, 2008 exclusively at stores.

[67]

The will include her four number one singles, as well as other songs released from her previous three albums. The album's lead single, "" was premiered at the . It was released to radio on September 23, and has charted at #25 on the chart.

[68]

She described her

as "short, sweet and completely different" from Back to Basics.

[69]

In a July 2008 interview Aguilera revealed several details about her album saying, "I can tell you that this record is all about fun. I'll be referencing , 's art. So it will [sound] fun and fast-paced, and visually, it will be full of color". She also added, "there's also going to be a modern element to it that comes from my love of ".

[70]

singer-songwriter , will contribute her songwriting skills for Aguilera's album saying, "I'm going to write with Christina in mid-September - It might not work, she might not like any of the stuff I write, and it may not make the cut, but I'm pretty excited about it."

[71]

She was featured on the soundtrack to the film

Shine a Light

from a live recording of her performance with the . The was released on April 1, 2008.

Musicianship

Vocal ability

Aguilera, a

, is known for her prominent singing style, strong vocals, and powerful voice. She has also been noted for her ability to sing in the . She has rivaled many of her other contemporaries and has been referred to as the "voice of her generation" and a singer.

[72]

[73]

In the special All Eyes on Christina, said that Aguilera "has a ".

[74]

Aguilera also topped COVE's list of the 100 Best Pop Vocalists with a score of 50

[75]

and came fifth in MTV's 22 Greatest Voices in Music.

[76]

A review in an

Entertainment Weekly

article mentions her "tackling that dog-whistle high note" at the 3:20 mark in the song "Soar" from her album

Stripped

.

[77]

Her rendition of "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" at the ranked 3rd in the Grammy's Greatest Moments List behind 's performance of "". In an interview Dion described Aguilera as "probably the best vocalist in the world."

[78]

During the work on

Back to Basics

, DJ Premier explained, "She really represents true music and true singing. She can belt out notes. She has true lungs."

[79]

Since her debut in 1999 Aguilera has been compared to the likes of

and .

[80]

A review in the

Los Angeles Times

compared Aguilera's vocal stylings to , , and adding, "Aguilera’s Streisand-esque tendencies are a good thing; they’re helping her figure out how to become the “great singer” she’s been dubbed since she released her first single, the wise-beyond-its-years "", at 18."

[81]

Although praised for her vocals, Aguilera has been labeled for in her songs and concerts.

[82]

Longtime producer and writer, Linda Perry, commented on working on the record, "", saying, "I tried to keep it straight. I told her to get rid of the finger waves. Every time she'd start going into "hoo-ha," I'd stop the tape. I'm like, 'You're doing it again.'" Perry ended up using the first take saying, "She had a hard time accepting that as the final track. It's not a perfect vocal -- it's very raw. She knows her voice really well, and she knows what's going on. She can hear things that nobody else would catch."

[83]

Influences

One of Aguilera's major influences and idol is blues singer

, whose classic song, "" has been covered by Aguilera throughout her career. Aguilera says, "Etta is my all-time favorite singer. I've said it for the last seven years — since I had my first debut record out — in every interview. I mean, all of Etta's old songs, countless songs I could name, I grew up listening to."

[84]

The majority of her album, Back to Basics, pays tribute to James and other singers who many originated from the . In her early years she listened to , blues, and soul music.

[85]

A review in

The Guardian

declared, "Practically everything recorded before Aguilera was born blurs into one amorphous genre, which she categorises, somewhat inadequately, as "fun music".

[86]

Her other musical influences include Aretha Franklin,

[87]

Whitney Houston,

[88]

,

[89]

and .

[90]

Aguilera cites the musical

and its lead actress, as an early inspiration for singing and performing.

[91]

She mentioned the "Golden age of " as another inspiration in which she says, "I'm referencing , , , , ".

[92]

Film and television

In 1991 Aguilera auditioned for a role on

, however she didn't meet the age requirements. Two years later she joined the cast performing musical numbers and sketch comedy until the show's cancellation in 1994.

[93]

Since then Aguilera has done numerous appearances, in 1999 she made a cameo appearance performing on an episode of

Beverly Hills, 90210

. She hosted a

Saturday Night Live

episode in 2004, which included a skit where she portrayed revealing to everyone she was a man the entire time.

[94]

In regards to acting in film, she's mentioned in several interviews that she intends to pursue edgy acting roles similar to .

[95]

She voiced a small singing part in the animated film

Shark Tale

playing a in the film's closing musical number. The film's stars included, among others, Jolie herself.

[96]

In 2008 she appeared in the

documentary

Shine A Light

which chronicles a two day concert in New York City's . The film features Aguilera performing "" alongside . Shine A Light premiered at the on February 7

[97]

and was released worldwide on April 4, 2008.

[98]

She will appear as herself in the upcoming film,

Get Him to the Greek

.

[99]

Products and endorsement

In 2000, Aguilera was the face for make-up line Fetish where she worked in choosing colors and packaging for the line, she ended her contract the following year.

Throughout her career Aguilera has endorsed several brands, including , , , and soft drink giants in 2001, and in 2006.

[101]

She became the and model for fashion house appearing in a campaign for the 2003 fall line.

[102]

In 2004 Aguilera earned £200,000 (about $500,000)

[103]

for opening the summer sale at London's store which took in record breaking profits during the four week period.

[104]

Aguilera signed a contract with European operator to promote the new phone during the .

In 2008 jewelry designer Stephen Webster and close friend of Aguilera released "Shattered", a collection of

pieces available exclusively through and . Aguilera who inspired the collection was featured as a heroine saying, "Working together on this campaign and collection has been an incredible experience. I am honored to be a part of it all."

[105]

[106]

Aguilera released two fragances throughout

, the first one Xpose, was released in late 2004 and sold relatively well.

[107]

[108]

Through Aguilera released her signature fragrance, Simply Christina in 2007.

[109]

In Christmas 2007, the fragrance became the number one perfume in the UK,

[110]

and where it topped sales for the year.

[111]

The perfume won as the people’s choice for favorite celebrity fragrance at the annual UK 2008.

[112]

She released her third fragrance, Inspire, accompanied with a body care collection, on September 1, 2008.

[114]

The perfume hit shelves in the US, , , and Northern and Eastern Europe. It is Aguilera's first fragrance released outside of Europe.

[115]

Her worldwide ad campaign included a television ad shot by and was released in the US through department stores. The release coincided with Macy's 150th anniversary which featured Aguilera in commemorative photos.

[116]

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Philanthropy

Throughout her career, Aguilera has been involved with certain

. She signed a letter from to the government asking that the country stop its alleged killing of dogs for food.

[118]

She also supports , , National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations,

[119]

Women's Cancer Research Fund,

[120]

and Cedars-Sinai Women’s Cancer Research Institute.

[121]

She has also worked alongside nonprofit organization saying, "Every individual has the power to inspire young people across the country."

[122]

She was featured in the campaign for photographer, Brie Childers with the goal of helping women of all ages, races and lifestyles feel beautiful and confident about themselves and the body and skin they were born with. Proceeds from benefit several women's charities nationwide.

[123]

Aguilera is still a major contributor in her hometown of Pittsburgh contributing regularly to the

. 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.

[124]

She has continued her donations and visits to the shelter, and plans to open an additional one.

[125]

She also supports the and .

[126]

Since then she has worked with 's 'End violence against women' campaign. Her work there included a which aired on the network and during her .

[127]

Aguilera is a supporter of the

community. She was honored at the Awards for using gay and transgender images in her music video for "Beautiful". When accepting the award Aguilera said, "My video captures the reality that gay and transgender people are beautiful, even though prejudice and discrimination against them still exists."

[128]

In 2005 she appeared on a compilation album titled,

Love Rocks

, proceeds benefit the , an organization dedicated to fighting for equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

Aguilera contributes in the fight against

, by participating in AIDS Project Los Angeles' Artists Against AIDS "" cover project. In 2004, Aguilera became the new face for cosmetic company and spokesperson for M·A·C AIDS Fund. Aguilera appeared in advertisements of the M·A·C's Viva Glam V lipstick and lipgloss, and was featured on

Vanity Fair

in recognition of her campaign work.

[129]

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."

[130]

[131]

Singer featured Aguilera in his charity book titled "Four Inches" benefiting the .

[132]

Elton also hand-picked Aguilera, for his annual "" charity concert which accompanies music and fashion to benefit the fight against AIDS/.

[133]

In the run-up to the

, Aguilera was featured on billboards for the "Only You Can Silence Yourself" online voter registration drive run by the , non-profit campaign "". In these political advertisements, shot by , 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 2007 Aguilera became the spokesperson for "" where she urged young people to vote in the .

[134]

In partnership with "Rock the Vote", she appeared in a public service announcement which aired in summer 2008.

[135]

The advert showed Aguilera with her son, Max Bratman, wrapped in an , while singing "".

[136]

In November 2005, all of her wedding gifts were submitted to various charities around the nation in support of

victims.

[137]

That year she also performed at "Unite of the Stars" concert in aid of Unite Against Hunger in , and at the Children's Fund at the Coca-Cola Dome.

[138]

In March 2007 Aguilera took part in a charity album (remaking 's ""), proceeds benefit 's efforts to end in . The album titled,

Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

, was released June 12, 2007, featuring covers sung by several artists.

[139]

In 2008 she will headline London's charity concert in . The international concert helps raise awareness for finding substantial issues facing the continent.

[140]

Personal life

1999-2003

In late 1999, Aguilera was rumored to have dated MTV

.

[141]

The relationship was the subject of much discussion after the release of 's song "", in which Eminem satirically suggests that Aguilera had performed on both Daly and , the lead singer of , and had given the himself a . Aguilera called the song's innuendo "disgusting" and "untrue."

[142]

Aguilera and Eminem reportedly resolved the issue three years later backstage at the .

[143]

Aguilera appeared twice on

's list in 2000 and 2002. It was during this time Aguilera's image was ridiculed for her heavy make-up and outfits during award shows and public events. Aguilera insisted she doesn't mind the criticism and was merely making a statement.

[144]

While seeing one of her music videos, Aguilera's grandma was disappointed saying, "I nearly died when I saw she was wearing so little. I rang her mom and said, 'Oh my God, what is Christina doing?' I feel sad for her really -- she is so young. I totally understand why people criticize her."

[145]

She dated

dancer , he appeared on her tour and music videos throughout 2000. They dated for nearly two years until the relationship ended in September 2001. He remained her dancer well into 2002.

[146]

She was reportedly linked to producer who had contributed tracks to her then upcoming Stripped album but were never included, Aguilera never confirmed the relationship.

[147]

In 2003, Aguilera was in several public feuds with other musicians including

who had worked with her on "Lady Marmalade", the singer mocked Aguilera on stage by using a blow-up doll during her tour.

[148]

also remarked that Aguilera was, "one of the most disgusting human beings in the world."

[149]

Later that year at the where Aguilera was hosting, Osbourne commented on the red carpet calling her a "cow," Aguilera was later seen throwing at a picture of Kelly during the telecast.

[150]

Several years later however Aguilera purchased The Osbourne house from and which seemed to have ended their feud.

[151]

2004-2008

Aguilera began dating music marketing executive

in 2002. Their engagement was announced in February 2005,

[152]

and they married on November 19, 2005, in a estate.

[153]

In an interview with , Aguilera revealed that she and Bratman enjoy being on Sundays, saying, "You have to keep marriage alive, spice it up".

[154]

[155]

The story received so much attention that following the news supermodel told Degeneres that she and her husband would consider doing the same ritual.

[156]

In May 2006, she posed nude for a Marilyn Monroe-inspired photoshoot in

where she re-created several photographs done by Monroe and spoke about her marriage to Bratman. In the issue she also expressed disappointment in fellow singer , saying that Carey "was never cool to me," and that "one time we were at a party, I think she got really drunk, and had really derogatory things to say to me." Carey then released a statement saying, "It is sad yet predictable that she would use my name at this time to reinvent past incidents for promotional gain." Aguilera responded saying, "My intentions were not to upset Mariah with any statements published or taken out of context. I have all the respect in the world for her."

[157]

On September 9, 2007,

claimed that the singer was . Aguilera, however, had not yet publicly confirmed her pregnancy at the time.

[158]

Aguilera later confirmed this on November 4 in an interview with

Glamour

magazine.

[159]

On January 12, 2008, Aguilera gave birth to her son, Max Liron Bratman, at in , .

[160]

His name translates to "Our Greatest Song" in .

[161]

Aguilera was reportedly paid $1.5 million by People magazine for her baby pictures, which according to Forbes places fifth on the list of the most expensive celebrity baby photos.

[162]

Discography

Main article:

Christina Aguilera discography

Studio albums 1999: Christina Aguilera 2002: Stripped 2006: Back to Basics 2009: Fourth studio album

Other albums 2000: Mi Reflejo ( Spanish album ) 2000: My Kind of Christmas ( Christmas album ) 2001: Just Be Free (Unofficial album) 2008: Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade of Hits ( greatest hits album)

DVDs 1999: Genie Gets Her Wish 2001: My Reflection 2004: Stripped Live in the UK 2008: Back To Basics: Live And Down Under

Tours 2000: Sears & Levis US Tour 2001: The Latin America Tour 2003: Justified and Stripped Tour / Stripped World Tour 2006 - 2007: Back to Basics Tour

Filmography

• 1993 – 1995:
  Mickey Mouse Club
  — Herself
• 1999:
  Beverly Hills 90210
  — Herself
• 2000:
  Saturday Night Live
  — Musical guest
• 2003: Saturday Night Live — Musical guest
• 2004:
  Shark Tale
  — Voice
• 2004: Saturday Night Live — Host
• 2006: Saturday Night Live — Musical guest
• 2008:
  Shine a Light
  — Musical guest

Awards

Further information:

List of Christina Aguilera awards

Year	Category	Genre	Recording	Result
Grammy Awards
2000	Best New Artist	General	Christina Aguilera	Won
	Best Female Pop Vocal Performance	Pop	"Genie In A Bottle"	Nominated
2001	Best Female Pop Vocal Performance	Pop	"What A Girl Wants"	Nominated
	Best Pop Vocal Album	Latin	Mi Reflejo	Nominated
2002	Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals	Pop	"Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" (with Ricky Martin )	Nominated
	Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals	Pop	"Lady Marmalade" (with Lil' Kim , Mýa 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
	Best Pop Vocal Album	Pop	Stripped	Nominated
	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
	Best Pop Vocal Album	Pop	Back to Basics	Nominated
2008	Best Female Pop Vocal Performance	Pop	"Candyman"	Nominated
	Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals	Pop	"Steppin' Out" (with Tony Bennett )	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
	Best Female Pop Vocal Album	Pop	Mi Reflejo	Won

References

External links

• Official US website
• Official UK website
• [4]
• Official "Back to Basics" Tour Site
• Christina Aguilera
  at
  Discogs
• Christina Aguilera
  at the
  Internet Movie Database
• Christina Aguilera
  at
  People.com

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Lauryn Hill	Grammy Award for Best New Artist 2000	Succeeded by Shelby Lynne
Preceded by Shakira for Ojos Así	Latin Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album, Female 2001 for Mi Reflejo	Succeeded by Rosario Flores for Muchas Flores
Preceded by B. B. King & Dr. John for Is You Is, or Is You Ain't (My Baby)	Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals 2002 for Lady Marmalade	Succeeded by Santana & Michelle Branch for The Game of Love
Preceded by Norah Jones for Don't Know Why	Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance 2004 for Beautiful	Succeeded by Norah Jones for Sunrise
Preceded by Kelly Clarkson for Since U Been Gone	Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance 2007 for Ain't No Other Man	Succeeded by Amy Winehouse for " Rehab "

Preceded by Sean "Diddy" Combs

MTV Europe Music Awards host 2003

Succeeded by Xzibit

v  •  d  •  e Christina Aguilera Studio albums Christina Aguilera ( 1999 ) · Stripped ( 2002 ) · Back to Basics ( 2006 ) · TBA ( 2009 ) Other albums Mi Reflejo ( 2000 ) · My Kind of Christmas ( 2000 ) · Just Be Free ( 2001 ) · Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade of Hits ( 2008 ) Singles " Genie in a Bottle " · " What a Girl Wants " · " I Turn to You " · " Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You) " · " Dirrty " · " Beautiful " · " Fighter " · " Can't Hold Us Down " · " The Voice Within " · " Ain't No Other Man " · " Hurt " · " Candyman " · " Slow Down Baby " · " Oh Mother " · " Keeps Gettin' Better " Other songs " Reflection " · " The Christmas Song " · " Christmas Time " · " Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti " · " Falsas Esperanzas " · " Hello (Follow Your Own Star) " · " Save Me From Myself " Collaboration singles " All I Wanna Do " · " Nobody Wants to Be Lonely " · " Lady Marmalade " · " What's Going On " · "El Último Adiós (The Last Goodbye) · " Car Wash " · " Tilt Ya Head Back " · " A Song for You " · " Somos Novios (It's Impossible) " · " Tell Me " DVDs Genie Gets Her Wish  · My Reflection  · Stripped Live in the U.K.  · Back to Basics: Live and Down Under Tours Sears & Levis US Tour  · The Latin America Tour  · Justified and Stripped Tour  · Stripped World Tour  · Back to Basics Tour Perfume Xpose  · Christina Aguilera  · Inspire Related articles Discography  · Awards  · RCA Records  · Ecuadorian American

Persondata
NAME	Aguilera, Christina
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Aguilera, Christina Maria
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American singer and songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH	December 18, 1980
PLACE OF BIRTH	New York City , New York , United States
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH