Early life and career
Aguilera was born in Staten Island, 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, and was born in Co. Clare, Ireland. Her father, Fausto, was stationed at Earnest Harmon Air Force Base in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada. 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. Since then, Fidler has married a paramedic named Jim Kearns, and has changed her name to Shelly Kearns. She attended North Allegheny School District, near the Pittsburgh suburb of Wexford, Pennsylvania.
Since Aguilera was a child, she aspired to be a singer. Her musical influences included Etta James,[6] Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston,[7] Nina Simone, and Madonna.[8] As a child, she was known locally as "the little girl with the big voice".[9]
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 and, by her own order, swore to secrecy about her talent lest another backlash occur.[10]
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".[10]
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 Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Rhona Bennett (who later became a member of En Vogue), Ryan Gosling, 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".[10] When the show ended in 1994, Aguilera began recording demos in an attempt to get signed to a record label.
At fourteen, Aguilera recorded her first song, "All I Wanna Do", a hit duet with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi.[11]
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 song.[12]
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.[13] "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.
Under the exclusive representation of Steve Kurtz, Aguilera's self-titled debut album Christina Aguilera was released in the United States 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.[14]
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.[10] 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 2.1 million copies worldwide and has been certified Gold(500,000) in the USA and 3x Platinum (600,000* Latin album).[15] 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 1.3 million copies worldwide, and has been certified Platinum (1 million) in the USA.[16] 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.
In 2001, Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and P!nk 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.[17] The video proved to be hit as it won MTV's Video of the Year in 2001.[18]
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.[19]
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.[20] 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.[21]
Although Aguilera's debut album was very well-received, she was dissatisfied with the music and image her management had created for her. At the time, Aguilera was marketed as a bubblegum pop artist, because of the genre's upward financial trend. However, she publicly mentioned plans of her next album to have much more depth, both musically and lyrically.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]
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.[25] 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.[26][27] The album was very well-received by critics although Aguilera's vocals were overlooked as she began to cultivate a more sexually provocative image.[28][29] After the release of the album, she took part in photoshoots for magazines such as Maxim, Rolling Stone,[30] 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 on the back of her neck and several piercings.[31]
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 huge hit worldwide, reaching number one in several countries. 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 ten million copies worldwide.[32]
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 performance, 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.[33]
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.[34] 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.[35]
During 2003, Aguilera also became the face of the fashion house Versace.[36]
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".[37] 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.[38][39]
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 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.[citation needed]
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.[40]
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."[41] 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."[42][43]
Aguilera also posed for two Maxim covers, first in the December 2002/January 2003 issue and a second time in 2007. Her first cover appearance set a sales record for the magazine. In the latter issue, she is quoted saying "We had fun working with certain clothes, or the lack thereof. I never mind contorting myself for a good cause." and "Some people like to blend in, I on the other hand like to make a scene".[44]
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 3 in the UK. 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."[45] To date the album is the biggest selling double-album by a female artist.[46] 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 an 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."[47] She received writing credit for every track and was the executive producer for the album, which debuted at number one in the U.S.[48] and the UK. The second single "Hurt", went to #4 on the United World Chart, #3 on Euro 200 Singles & Tracks[49] and #19 on the Billboard Charts.[50] The third single, "Candyman", is influenced by pop music from the 1940s and '50s. It is currently in the top 30 in both the U.S and the UK.
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 the single jumped to number #8 the next week.
She announced her "Back to Basics Tour" with eighteen European dates which began on November 17 and ended on December 17.[51] 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 ending on May 5 in Florida.[52]
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.[53] Back to Basics has managed to sell over 3.7 million copies worldwide according to Mediatraffic, and 1.4 million in the United States.
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.[54] In January 2007, Aguilera was named the 19th richest woman in entertainment by Forbes, with a net worth of $60 million/£30 million+.[55] Aguilera announced the signing of an international licensing agreement with Procter & Gamble to create Christina Aguilera fragrances.[56] 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."[56] It has been annouced that Christina will be doing a duet with 'Rain[57] ' during 2007 on his new album.
Acting career
Unlike her contemporaries, Aguilera never appeared in movies but she has done numerous television appearances and guestings. In 2002 when she performed at the Wednesday's taping of the VH1 Big in 2002 Awards, she mentioned in an interview that her agenda for 2003 were touring and acting. Given the opportunity, she likes to do the roles which Angeline Jolie usually plays like in the film Girl Interrupted where she finds Jolie's roles something with substance.
As a singer, she became a part of the soundtracks of some famous films in Hollywood. In 1998, she was given the oppportunity to sing the theme song of the animated feature film Mulan where she sang Reflection. In 2001, she collaborated with Lil' Kim, Mýa and P!nk the song Lady Marmalade for the Academy-award winning film Moulin Rouge!. And in 2004, she collaborted the song Car Wash with Missy Elliottwhere she has previously only voiced a small part in the said animated movie. Although she sang the tracks of these movies, she never tried to act in any films.
In late 2006, she was rumored to be trying to land a part in a big-screen film about 1950s B-movie star Jeanne Carmen. She was hoping to make her acting debut in the said biographical picture. Rumour has it that Aguilera has been added to the long list of ‘actresses’ hoping to make the role of Carmen their own. Jeanne Carmen the best friend of Marilyn Monroe as well as a B-movie actress in the 1950’s, she starred in Untamed Youth and War Drums before leaving Hollywood for good after the death of Monroe.Aguilera, an acting novice will be competing with the likes of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Scarlett Johansson for the role. An article was noted that her edge on the competition for the coveted role was her famous red lips because of too much shade of lipstick.
According to news, Aguilera is set to guest star on CSI: New York in February 2007. She lands a role in the said hit TV show. She will put her fledgling acting skills to the test in the Crime Scene Investigation series. The said episode will feature a storyline about battered women, which is an issue close to Aguilera's heart--she grew up in an abusive home and is a major contributor to a women's shelter in her hometown of Pittsburgh. The episode takes a darker theme since a domestic abuse episode will be featured. Aguilera, on her part, has been an avid campaigner against domestic violence after revealing that her father physically her mother during her childhood. CSI Executive Producer Anthony Zuiker tells TV Guide magazine, "Christina's a fan of the show, and we're excited to have her. The episode will probably explore the topic of battered women." The singer is not expected to play herself. Aguilera's music will also be featured in the episode.
Charity work
Throughout her career, Aguilera has been involved with certain charities. She was the first celebrity to sign a letter from PETA to the South Korean government asking that the country stop its alleged "abuse of dogs killed for food."[cite this quote] 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.[58] She also supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Refuge UK.[59]
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 November 2005, all of her wedding gifts were submitted to various charities around the nation in support of Hurricane Katrina victims.[60] 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 was quoted saying, "HIV is something that people don’t want to talk about, hear about, or face."[61][62]
According to Billboard,[63] singer Elton John hand-picked Aguilera, among others, for his Fashion Rocks concert benefiting his AIDS foundation. The show, which accompanies music and fashion to benefit the fight against AIDS/HIV, is televised annually and aired in September. In March 2007 it was announced that Aguilera will take part in a charity album, proceeds will benefit Amnesty International's efforts to end genocide in Darfur.[64] The album titled Instant Karma will be released in June, the full tracklist has yet to be revealed.[65]
Personal life
During 2000, Aguilera was rumored to have dated MTV VJ Carson Daly.[66] 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."[67] Aguilera and Eminem reportedly resolved the issue three years later backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards.[68]
She dated Puerto Rican-born dancer Jorge Santos for two years until the relationship ended in September 2001.[69] In the 2006 issue of The Advocate magazine[70] she was quoted as saying "I was involved with someone who had a gay past. I don’t know if he’s come to terms with it yet."[71]
In late 2002, Aguilera began dating music marketing executive Jordan Bratman. Their engagement was announced in February 2005,[72] and they married on November 19, 2005, in the Napa Valley.[73][verification needed] The couple celebrated their one year anniversary in Dublin, Ireland.[74]
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. He also alludes to the idea that Bratman was using her for money during 2002, nicknaming her "Crazy."[75] Several days following the incident Dallas 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."[76]
Vocal ability
Aguilera, known for her strong vocals and powerful voice, has rivaled many of her other contemporaries and has been referred to as the 'voice of our generation'.[citation needed] In the MTV special All Eyes on Christina, John Norris said that Aguilera "has a four-octave vocal range."[77] 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. Christina also topped COVE's list of 100 Best Pop Vocalist with a score of 50.[78] A review in an Entertainment Weekly article mentions her "tackling that dog-whistle high note" at the 3:20 mark in the song "Soar", which was the note "F6".[citation needed] The song is from the album Stripped.[79]
She is also known to "warble", which is to sing or whistle with trills, quavers, or melodic embellishment. The formal term for this style of singing is melisma.[citation needed]
