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Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera 2019 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony D23 EXPO 2019 (51440741738) (cropped).jpg
Aguilera in 2019
Born
Christina María Aguilera

(1980-12-18) December 18, 1980 (age 44)
Other names
  • Xtina
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • television personality
Years active 1993–present
Organization
  • Christina Aguilera Fragrances
Works
Spouse(s)
Jordan Bratman
(m. 2005; div. 2011)
Partner(s) Matthew Rutler (eng. 2014)
Children 2
Awards Full list
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Labels
Signature
Christina Aguilera signature.png

Christina María Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and TV star. She is known for her amazing four-octave vocal range and for always changing her musical style. People call her the "Voice of a Generation." She was also named a Disney Legend for her work with The Walt Disney Company.

Christina became famous in 1999 with her first album, Christina Aguilera. It had three number-one songs like "Genie in a Bottle" and "What a Girl Wants." Later, she released Stripped (2002) and Back to Basics (2006). These albums included hits like "Lady Marmalade" and "Beautiful."

In the 2010s, Christina had more hits with songs like "Moves like Jagger" and "Say Something." She also starred in the movie Burlesque (2010) and was a coach on the TV show The Voice. Christina is one of the best-selling music artists ever, selling over 100 million records. She has won five Grammy Awards and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early Life and Growing Up

Christina María Aguilera was born on December 18, 1980, in New York City. Her dad was from Ecuador, and her mom had German, Irish, Welsh, and Dutch family. Christina's dad was in the United States Army, so her family moved a lot. They lived in New Jersey, Texas, and even Japan for a few years.

When she was young, Christina faced bullying at school. She later chose to be homeschooled. In 1987, her parents divorced, and Christina moved with her mom and younger sister, Rachel, to Rochester, near Pittsburgh. Living with her grandma, Christina found her love for music by listening to old soul and blues records.

She started singing in public and entering talent shows. Soon, people in her neighborhood knew her as "the little girl with a big voice." In 1990, she sang on the TV show Star Search. She also sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at many sports games, including the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals.

Career Highlights

Early Career (1993–1998)

In 1991, Christina tried out for The All-New Mickey Mouse Club (MMC). She was too young at first, but a year later, she got a spot. She joined other future stars like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Christina performed songs and comedy sketches on the show.

After MMC ended, Christina wanted to start a music career. She moved to Japan in 1997 and recorded a song with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi. Later, she was chosen to sing "Reflection," the main song for the Disney movie Mulan (1998). This song became popular and helped her get a record deal with RCA Records. She started recording her first album in late 1998.

Becoming a Star (1999–2001)

In May 1999, Christina released her first single, "Genie in a Bottle." It quickly became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was a huge hit worldwide. Her first album, Christina Aguilera, came out in August 1999. It went straight to number one and sold millions of copies. At the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, Christina won the Best New Artist award.

She had more number-one hits from the album, including "What a Girl Wants" and "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)." In 2000, Christina went on her first concert tour. She also released a Spanish-language album, Mi Reflejo, which was very successful and won a Latin Grammy Award. That same year, she released a Christmas album, My Kind of Christmas.

In 2001, Christina sang with Ricky Martin on "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely." She also joined Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Pink on the hit song "Lady Marmalade" from the movie Moulin Rouge!. This song also reached number one and won a Grammy Award.

New Look with Stripped (2002–2004)

In 2002, Christina changed her image and released her fourth album, Stripped. She helped write most of the songs on this album. Stripped was a big success, selling millions of copies around the world. The song "Beautiful" from the album was praised for its message about inner beauty. It became a top hit in many countries.

In 2003, Christina toured with Justin Timberlake on The Justified & Stripped Tour. She also had her own tour, The Stripped Tour, visiting Europe, Asia, and Australia. At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Christina performed with Britney Spears and Madonna, creating a very famous moment.

Back to Basics (2005–2008)

In 2005, Christina adopted a new style inspired by old Hollywood glamour. In 2006, she released "Ain't No Other Man," which was a big hit and won her another Grammy Award. Her fifth album, Back to Basics, came out in August 2006. It was a double album inspired by music from the 1920s to 1950s. The album debuted at number one in the US and many other countries.

Christina Aguilera Sanremo (cropped)
Aguilera performing at the Sanremo Music Festival in 2006.

From 2006 to 2008, Christina went on her Back to Basics Tour. This tour was very successful and earned a lot of money. In 2007, she gave a memorable performance of "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2008, she released the song "Keeps Gettin' Better" for her greatest hits album, which also did well on the charts.

Bionic, Burlesque, and The Voice (2009–2011)

In 2010, Christina released her sixth album, Bionic. It was inspired by electronic music and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. Later that year, Christina starred in her first movie, Burlesque. She played a waitress who becomes a burlesque performer. The movie was popular, and Christina also recorded eight songs for its soundtrack. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the same week the movie came out.

In 2011, Christina became a coach on the TV reality show The Voice. She appeared on several seasons of the show. In late 2011, she sang on the hit song "Moves like Jagger" with Maroon 5. This song topped the charts and became one of her biggest hits, making her one of the few artists to have number-one songs in three different decades.

Lotus and Other Projects (2012–2015)

Christina Aguilera - Breakthrough Prize Scientists, 2014 (cropped)
Aguilera performing "Beautiful" at the Breakthrough Prize Scientist Awards, 2014.

In 2012, Christina released her seventh album, Lotus. She described it as a "rebirth" after some personal challenges. The album reached number 7 on the Billboard 200. In 2013, she featured on Pitbull's song "Feel This Moment" and Alejandro Fernández's "Hoy Tengo Ganas de Ti," both becoming international hits.

Later in 2013, Christina teamed up with A Great Big World for the song "Say Something." This song was a huge success, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy Award. In 2015, Christina appeared in the TV series Nashville and contributed songs to its soundtrack.

Liberation and Residencies (2016–Present)

In 2016, Christina won The Voice with her contestant Alisan Porter. She also released the song "Change" and "Telepathy" for a Netflix series, which topped the Dance Club Songs chart. In 2017, she voiced a character in The Emoji Movie.

In 2018, Christina released her eighth album, Liberation. It included R&B and hip-hop sounds. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200. To promote the album, she went on The Liberation Tour, her first tour in 10 years. She also starred in the movie Zoe that year.

In 2019, Christina started her first concert residency, Christina Aguilera: The Xperience, in Las Vegas. She also went on The X Tour in Europe and Latin America. She recorded songs for The Addams Family movie and the live-action remake of Mulan (2020), including a new version of "Reflection."

In 2021, Christina performed at the Hollywood Bowl and for Disney World's 50th Anniversary. She received the People's Music Icon award in 2021. In 2022, she released her ninth album, Aguilera, which honored different Latin music styles. This album won a Latin Grammy Award. In 2023, she started her second residency, Christina Aguilera at Voltaire, in Las Vegas.

Artistry and Voice

Influences

Aguilera cited Whitney Houston and Etta James (left) and (right) among her main influences in the music, having performed some of their songs during her early years

Christina says her biggest musical influence is Etta James. She also looks up to Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Cher. Christina grew up listening to Spanish music from her parents, which inspired her to sing in Spanish. For her album Back to Basics, she was influenced by artists like Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin. She also admires artists like Andy Warhol and Banksy.

Voice

Christina Aguilera is known for her powerful voice. She is a soprano and has a four-octave vocal range, meaning she can sing very low and very high notes. She can even reach the whistle register, which is the highest part of the human voice.

Critics have praised her voice for its flexibility and strong tones. She often uses melisma, which means singing many notes on one syllable. This style has led to comparisons with singers like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. While her voice is amazing, some critics have said she sometimes uses too many vocal runs or "oversings." However, her strong voice is a big part of why she is so successful.

Musical Style

Christina's music is mostly pop, contemporary R&B, soul, and hip-hop. She loves to try new things and experiment with her voice. Early in her career, she sang teen pop and dance-pop songs. Her album Mi Reflejo also included many Latin music styles.

Later, she moved more into R&B and hip-hop. Stripped mixed these genres with rock, neo-soul, and gospel. Back to Basics blended old-school music with modern beats. She also sings many powerful power ballads. Christina has explored different sounds, from "galactic pop" on Bionic to Mexican ranchera music on Aguilera.

Cultural Impact

Christina Aguilera 2019 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony D23 EXPO 2019 (51440742003) (cropped 2)
Aguilera at the D23 Expo where she was honoured as a Disney Legend in 2019

Christina Aguilera is seen as a pop icon and a fashion icon. She is known for her constant artistic changes. She was named one of the most successful artists of the 2000s by Billboard. Christina is also recognized for her connection to The Walt Disney Company, becoming a Disney Legend in 2019.

She played a big part in the "Latin explosion" in music during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Her album Mi Reflejo became one of the best-selling Latin pop albums ever. Christina has always honored her Ecuadorian background in her career. Many artists around the world have been influenced and inspired by her.

Achievements

Christina Aguilera has won many awards. She won her first Grammy Award at age 19. She has a total of five Grammy Awards and two Latin Grammy Awards. She has also won MTV Video Music Awards, People's Choice Awards, and a Guinness World Record. Christina is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 100 million records sold. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Other Activities

Business Ventures

Christina Aguilera (at premiere of "To John With Love", September 2010)
Aguilera attending a fundraising event promoted by Montblanc in 2010

Christina Aguilera is also a businesswoman. She has her own products and invests in different companies. In 2008, she became part-owner of the LAX nightclub in Las Vegas. She also co-founded MX Productions & Investments, which invests in companies like Pinterest and Lyft. Christina also joined the ownership group of Angel City FC, a women's soccer team.

In 2007, she started Christina Aguilera Fragrances, selling perfumes and other beauty products. Her fragrances have been very popular and won awards. She also launched her own clothing line in Brazil. Christina has worked with many brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Mercedes-Benz for advertising campaigns.

Helping Others

Secretary Clinton With David Novak and Christina Aguilera (cropped)
Aguilera in 2012 with Hillary Clinton and David Novak at the World Food Programme USA Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Christina Aguilera is known for her charity work. She has supported people in difficult situations and helped families in need. She has donated money to centers that help women and children. In 2019, she received an award for her efforts against domestic violence.

In 2009, Christina became a global spokesperson for the World Food Program, a part of the United Nations. She visited countries like Ecuador, Guatemala, and Rwanda to help fight hunger. She has helped raise over $148 million for hunger relief. For her work, she received the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards and the George McGovern Leadership Awards. She also helped raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy. Christina has also advocated for animal welfare and supported equal rights for all people.

Personal Life

Christina Aguilera married music executive Jordan Bratman in 2005. They had a son named Max Liron Bratman in 2008. They later divorced in 2011. In 2010, Christina started dating Matthew Rutler, a production assistant she met while filming Burlesque. They got engaged in 2014 and welcomed their daughter, Summer Rain Rutler, that same year. Christina and her family live in Santa Monica Mountains.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Christina Aguilera (1999)
  • Mi Reflejo (2000)
  • My Kind of Christmas (2000)
  • Stripped (2002)
  • Back to Basics (2006)
  • Bionic (2010)
  • Lotus (2012)
  • Liberation (2018)
  • Aguilera (2022)

Filmography

Theater

  • Burlesque (2024); producer, co-composer and lyricist

Tours and Residencies

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Christina Aguilera para niños

  • Honorific nicknames in popular music
  • List of best-selling music artists
  • List of artists who reached number one in the United States
  • List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
  • List of highest paid American television stars
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