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"You can take it or leave it, but I'm not going to change, not for anyone." - Christina Aguilera
| Christina Aguilera Mini Biography |
 Before her twenty-first birthday, Christina Aguilera claimed multiple platinum records, three Grammy Awards, and record sales well over twenty million copies. A former child actor on the Disney series The New Mickey Mouse Club, Aguilera made her first recording as a fourteen-year-old on a duet with Japanese singer KeizoNakanishi.
While the song was successful in Japan, Aguilera returned to the life of a high school student in Pennsylvania before gaining a recording contract with RCA Records in 1998. Her first single, "Genie in a Bottle," sold over two million copies in 1999 and its Spanish-language version, "Genio Atrapado," helped Aguilera become a rare crossover success from the pop mainstream to the Latino market. Her first album, Christina Aguilera, was also an immediate hit and eventually sold over eight million copies in the United States alone. Capping off an astounding debut, Aguilera took home the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1999, beating out competition that included her former Mickey Mouse Club cast mate Britney Spears. Christina Maria Aguilera was born on December 18, 1980 in Staten Island, New York. Her father, Fausto Aguilera, was born in Ecuador but had immigrated to the United States and pursued a career in the military. Her mother, the former Shelley Fidler, was a talented violinist who toured with the Youth Symphony Orchestra as a teenager. During her early years, the Aguilera family followed her father's assignments to Florida, Texas, New Jersey, and Japan. After having another daughter, Rachel, the Aguileras separated around 1986. The following year, Shelley Aguilera moved with her daughters back to her hometown of Wexford, a suburb northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After her mother remarried, Aguilera's family included siblings Casey, Robert Michael, and Stephanie. For several years after the divorce, Aguilera had very little contact with her father.
While growing up in Wexford, Aguilera began entering talent contests; with a voice that was unusually mature for her age, she usually won first prize. In 1988 she entered a regional talent audition for the syndicated show hosted by Ed McMahon, Star Search. Aguilera made it through the audition with a rendition of "The Greatest Love of All," which she performed on the show. Although she failed to win in her appearance on Star Search, the experience helped Aguilera build confidence in her performing abilities. For the next couple of years she was a regular performer of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.
Aguilera's next big break came in 1990 when auditions for the cast of The New Mickey Mouse Club were announced. The show was a popular series on the Disney Network and included such future adult stars as Kerri Russell and Britney Spears, as well as Justin Timberlake and J. C. Chasez of N'Sync. In her initial audition, producers of the show judged Aguilera to be too young for the series; two years later, however, they called her to join the cast. Aguilera traveled to Orlando, Florida, with her mother to join the cast during her summer break from school in 1993. She returned the following year to complete what turned out to be the final year of The New Mickey Mouse Club in 1994.
While her two years on The New Mickey Mouse Club provided Aguilera with invaluable acting, dancing, and singing experience, it caused turmoil when she returned to school. After a number of incidents spurred on by classmates jealous of her new fame, Aguilera was forced to transfer to a new junior high school in Pittsburgh. She experienced similar problems during high school and was relieved when she was able to complete her secondary education with a tutor while recording her debut album, Christina Aguilera, in 1998
"When you're new to recording and you get signed to a label, people decide what you're going to be, but you're so excited to be doing it, period. Then you realize, 'Man, I don't know if this is what I really want.' Now I'm getting to do my own material and let people know that there's an artist behind the singer." - Christina Aguilera
Aguilera who is a soprano, has rivaled many of her other contemporaries and has been referred to as the "voice of her generation" and a blue eyed soul singer. In the MTV special All Eyes on Christina, John Norris said that Aguilera "has a four-octave vocal range". Aguilera also topped COVE's list of the 100 Best Pop Vocalists with a score of 50/50 and came fifth in MTV's 22 Greatest Voices in Music. Aguilera has also been known to sing in the high whistle register, high Belt (she can belt to high F.)
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. Her rendition of "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" at the 49th Grammy Awards ranked third in the Grammy's Greatest Moments List behind Celine Dion's performance of "My Heart Will Go On" and Green Day's performance of "American Idiot". In an interview, Dion described Aguilera as "probably the best vocalist in the world."
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." Rolling Stone ranked Aguilera at 58 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time, the youngest singer on the list.
Since her debut in 1999 Aguilera has been compared to the likes of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. A review in the Los Angeles Times compared Aguilera's vocal stylings to Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, and Aretha Franklin 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 "Genie in a Bottle", at 18."
Although praised for her vocals, Aguilera has been labeled for oversinging in her songs and concerts. Longtime producer and writer, Linda Perry, commented on working on the record, "Beautiful", 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." | Pop star has "Xtina" on back of neck, a small flower on left wrist, "Te Amo Siempre" on inside left forearm with the Hebrew letters Yud and Bet, which are her husband’s initials in Hebrew, Hebrew words on small of back ("I am to my beloved what my beloved is to me"), Mickey Mouse tattoo just below bikini line (in honor of her Mouseketeer days).
As well-known for her unorthodox fashion style as her four octave vocal range, Aguilera also has numerous piercing to go with her body art, including her left nostril, a labret, her right nipple, and reputedly several genital piercings
| Vital Stats
Christina Aguilera Information | | Full Name: Christina Maria Aguilera | | Nickname(s): Chrissy, X Tina, Baby Jane Candy | | Eye color: Blue | | Hair Color: Blonde | | Height: 5'1 | | Star Sign: Sagittarius | | Notable feature(s): Wears bright blue contact lenses, even though her eyes are already naturally blue (albeit a darker blue) | | Nationality: American | Education:
Attended Rochester Area Elementary School in Rochester, Pennsylvania
Attended Ingomar Middle School in Wexford, Pennsylvania
Attended Marshall Middle School in Wexford, Pennslyvania
Graduated from North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania | | Family: Father - Fausto Wagner Xavier Aguilera , Mother - Shelly Loraine Fidler , Brothers - Michael Aguilera and Casey Aguilera , Sisters - Rachel Aguilera and Stephanie Aguilera | | Resides in: | | Religious affiliations: Roman Catholic | | Political affiliation: | | Personal interests/hobbies: | Charities/Causes:
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. During her 2007 tour she unknowingly wore a fur stole during the beginning of her tour, which designer Roberto Cavalli rovided without informing Aguilera. After receiving a video from PETA Vice President Dan Mathews on the treatment of foxes, she replaced the stole with faux fur for the remainder of her tour. Aguilera was reportedly upset adding, "I only ever wear fake fur". In 2010 Aguilera auctioned off tickets for her upcoming tour for Christie's A Bid to Save the Earth. Proceeds benefit nonprofit environmental groups Conservation International, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council, and The Central Park Conservancy. Aguilera also supports Defenders of Wildlife, Missing Kids, National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, Women's Cancer Research Fund, and Cedars-Sinai Women's Cancer Research Institute. She has also worked alongside nonprofit organization Do Something saying, "Every individual has the power to inspire young people across the country." 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.
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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. She has continued her donations and visits to the shelter, and plans to open an additional one. She also supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Refuge UK. 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.
- Aguilera is a supporter of the LGBT ommunity. She was honored at the GLAAD 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." In 2005 she appeared on a compilation album titled, Love Rocks, proceeds benefit the Human Rights Campaign, an organization dedicated to fighting for equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. In 2008 she publicly spoke out against California's Proposition 8 which eliminates same-sex marriage in California saying, "Why you would put so much money behind something [aimed at] stopping from people loving each other and bonding together? I just don't understand it. It's hard for me to grasp. But I would've been out there with my rally sign as well.
- 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, and was featured on Vanity Fair in recognition of her campaign work. 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." Singer Elton John featured Aguilera in his charity book titled "Four Inches" benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Elton also hand-picked Aguilera, for his annual "Fashion Rocks" charity concert which accompanies music and fashion to benefit the fight against AIDS/HIV.
- 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 2007 Aguilera became the spokesperson for "Rock the Vote" where she urged young people to vote in the 2008 presidential election. In partnership with "Rock the Vote", she appeared in a public service announcement which aired in summer 2008. The advert showed Aguilera with her son, Max Bratman, wrapped in an American flag, while singing "America the Beautiful".
- In November 2005, all of her wedding gifts were submitted to various charities around the nation in support of Hurricane Katrina victims. That year she also performed at "Unite of the Stars" concert in aid of Unite Against Hunger in Johannesburg, South Africa and at the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund at the Coca-Cola Dome. In March 2007 Aguilera took part in a charity album (remaking Lennon's "Mother"), proceeds benefit Amnesty International fforts to end genocide in Darfur. The album titled, Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darf was released June 12, 2007 and featured various artists. In 2008 she headlined London's Africa Rising charity concert at Royal Albert Hall which raises awareness for finding substantial issues facing the continent. Later that year she appeared on the Turkish vrsion of Deal or No Deal "Var m?s?n? Yok musun?" , where she won $180,000. Proceeds were donated to a charity program for orphans.
- In 2009 Aguilera became the global spokesperson for World Hunger Relief appearing in advertisements, online campaigns and a public service announcement. Aguilera and her husband traveled to Guatemala with the World Food Programme to bring awareness to issues such as the high malnutrition rate in that country. She met with families of the villages and some of the beneficiaries of WFP's nutrition programmes. Aguilera adds, "The people of WFP do such a great job helping hungry children and mothers. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful project. She was honored at Variety's annual "Power of Women" luncheon in late 2009 alongside other women in entertainment for her contribution to philanthropic and charitable causes. In response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Aguilera donated a signed Chrysler 300 which was auctioned for relief efforts. She was one of the many artists who appeared on the Hope for Haiti telethon on January 22, 2010, donations directly benefited Oxfam America, Partners In Health, Red Cross and UNICEF. She later appeared on a second public service announcement with World Hunger Relief alongside sports icon Muhammad Ali to raise funds for the United Nations World Food Programme's efforts to bring food to survivors of the earthquake.
| | Other: Known for her powerful voice and her ability to sing acapella. | |
 Won a Grammy for "Best New Artist" in February 2000.
Made the Top 20 in FHM Magazine's 100 Sexiest Women. [2001]
Announced that she will star in TV commercials for Coke, which were slated to appear in the United States in May 2001 and continue throughout the summer. The Coke campaign also offered a $1,000,000 grand prize for a sweepstakes as well as the opportunity to meet the pop princess and hang out with her during a video taping. Christina previously starred in commercials for Coke which aired solely in Latin America. The ads were such a success that Coca-Cola decided to run new ads featuring Christina Aguilera in the U.S. [March 2001]
Attended North Allegheny High School up until the 9th grade in Wexford, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sued Warlock Records, Platinum Recording Group and producers Robert Allecca and Michael Brown to prevent them from releasing "Just Be Free", a demo compilation she recorded when she was just 14 years old. [May 2001]
Won the world's best selling Latin female artist at the World Music Awards. Christina also performed her #1 world-wide smash hit "Nobody wants to be lonely" with Ricky Martin at the ceremony. [2001]
Formerly dated backup dancer Jorge Santos. Christina co-wrote the songs "Infatuation" and "Loving Me 4 Me" about the relationship.
For two seasons, Christina appeared on "MMC" (1989) which furthered her desire to record an album before she graduated from high school.
Nominated for 6 MTV Video Music Awards. So far in her career she has received 11 nominations. [July 2001]
In 1994, several labels, including RCA, passed on the opportunity to sign Christina Aguilera. Undaunted, she left for Japan to jump-start her career on distant shores.
With co-performers Kimberly 'Lil' Kim' Jones, won two awards at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards for "Lady Marmalade." One was for the prestigious 'Best Video Of The Year' award and the other for the 'Best Song From A Movie Soundtrack' award (Moulin Rouge).
Host of the second annual Latin Grammy awards show. [September 2001] Co-hosted the 2001 Radio Music Awards in Las Vegas with Ricky Martin. [October 26, 2001]
Voice range is four octaves.
After wowing the crowd at a Pittsburgh charity banquet, 11-year-old Christina landed offers to sing the national anthem for the Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers.
Her contract requests she gets various health foods and Flintstones chewable vitamins. Also soft drinks such as Coca Cola and Nesquik but not Pepsi or anything diet. [2000]
Although she is half-Ecuadoran and has released a Spanish album, she is not fluent in Spanish.
Attended Marshall Middle School in Wexford, Pennsylvania.
Won the 2002 Grammy (best collaboration) with Lil' Kim, Mya, & Pink for her work in the 'Moulin Rouge' song 'Lady Marmalade'.
Appeared in the musical "The Pussycat Dolls".
Co-wrote fourteen songs on her latest album, "Stripped". Attended Rochester Area Elementary School in Rochester, Pennsylvania.
Has 4 siblings: a younger half-brother Michael (born 1996), step-brother Casey, younger sister Rachel (born 1986) and step-sister Stephanie.
Above all sports, she prefers baseball and volleyball.
Considers Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Etta James and Billie Holiday as her most important musical influences.
Was named Godmother, "Madrina", for the second generation of students on the Mexican TV reality-talent show called, "La Academia".
Her parents met while attending college at Brigham Young University in Utah. Has two papillon dogs, Chewy and Stinky.
Nominated for 4 MTV Video Music Awards for her "Dirrty" video including, Best Female Video, Best Dance Video, Best Pop Video and Best Choreography in a Video.
Has her own shoe line, which is manufactured by ES Orginals. The shoe box that has her picture on it, can be used as a CD holder or picture frame.
Co-wrote Kelly Clarkson's hit single, "Miss Independent".
Is #1 on Maxim's Hot 100 of 2003. Is the host of MTV's 2003 Europe Music Awards.
Her parents were married in the LDS Temple in Washington D.C.
Debuted on national TV at age 8 on "Star Search" (1983).
At 11, she was the youngest person to perform the national anthem at a major sporting event at that time.
Nominated for five 2003 Grammys, Song of the Year, "Beautiful", Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, "Beautiful", Best Pop Collaberation with Vocal, "Can't Hold Us Down" (with Lil'Kim), Best Pop Vocal Album, "Stripped" and Best Remixed Recording, "Beautiful"(Peter Rauhofer, Remixer.)
Nominated for five 2004 Grammys, Song of the Year, "Beautiful", Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, "Beautiful", Best Pop Collaberation with Vocal, "Can't Hold Us Down" (w/ Lil'Kim), Best Pop Vocal Album, "Stripped" and Best Remixed Recording, "Beautiful" (Peter Rauhofer, Remixer.)
Has a Cadillac SUV and a Range Rover.
Nominated for the 2004 Echo Awards Best International Female.
Her "Stripped" tour with Justin Timberlake came in first in the Rolling Stone 2003 Readers' Poll for Best Tour.
Received 3 BRIT Award nominations, Best International Female Solo Artist, Best International Album, and Best Pop.
Has joined forces with Fetish, the cosmetic line to come out with a line of her own.
Won the 2004 Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, with her song, "Beautiful".
Her much talked about, ground-breaking, record-setting video "Dirrty" cost an estimated $5 million dollars to make.
In the year 2003 she made an estimated $29.7 million in album sales and endorsement campaigns.
 Her video, Fighter, has six nominations for the 2004 Music Video Production Association awards for best pop video, best hair and best makeup, best cinematography, best styling and best direction of a female artist.
She is #3 on Maxim's Hot 100 List for 2004.
Cancelled her North American summer tour with, Chingy, due to strained vocal cords.
[2004] Released an album, "Stripped", in October 2002. The first single from her album was released in mid-September.
One of Teen Peoples 25 Hottest Under 25 (2004).
She was named Glamour's very first Woman of the Year (2004).
Her infamous satin thong from her cover of a Maxim Magazine, was fetched by a lucky bidder on ebay for $1,542.69. The treasured thong was obtained from BBC Radio 1 personality Scott Mills, who got them from a pal at Maxim, according to the online description. The winner got more than the thong that once adorned the backside of Aguilera. The total ebay deal incuded a bottle of the pool water, a note from Mills, a note from a BBC producer, a letter from Maxim that included pointers from Aguilera and a copy of the racy Magazine itself.
Ranked #14 on VH1's The 50 Geatest Women of the Video Era.
Stated in a recent interview that she had all her piercings removed with the exception of the one in her right nipple.
[2004] She has asked the US Patent and Trademark Office to approve over 450 items. Among the list are lingerie, crayons, skiwear, ropes and handcuffs.
Rolling Stone Magazine wrote that her video, Dirrty, is the most played music video of all time.
Is close friends with Kimberly 'Lil' Kim' Jones.
Her mom, Shelly Kearns, was voted #2 for best showbiz mom, according to an In Touch magazine poll. She was out voted by Justin Timberlake's mother, Lynn Harless.
On 21 December 2003, she visited and donated $200,000 to the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in Oakland, a domestic abuse shelter.
Recorded a remake of the disco classic "Carwash" with 'Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott'.
Recorded a duet with Nelly of "Tilt Ya Head Back".
Ranked #13 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).
She is a spokesperson for Fetish (cosmetics), Coca-cola, Versace, Sketchers, MAC-cosmetics, Virgin-mobile, Mercedes, Declare Yourself.com, Xpose (perfume)
She is mentioned in the song "Riot Girl" by Good Charlotte.
Her husband Jordan Bratman is a music executive.
Graduated from North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania (1999)
Attended Marshall Middle School in Wexford, Pennslyvania.
Shares a birthday with Katie Holmes, Brad Pitt, DMX, Casper Van Dien and filmmaker Steven Spielberg.
Is mentioned in Eminem's song "The real Slim Shady" and is spoofed in the song's music video Her last name is Spanish for "Eyrie".
150,000 FHM Music TV fans decided that "Dirrty" is the sexiest video of all time (2005).
Us Weekly Young Hollywood Hot 20 list (2005).
She's an NPC (non playable character) in The Sims: Superstar, an expansion pack for The Sims.
Named #16 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list.
Husband Jordan Bratman asked for Christina's hand in marriage with a 5-carat diamond and platinum Stephen Webster ring. Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake were among the 130 guests at her wedding to Jordan Bratman.
Her father Fausto Xavier Aguilera is of Ecuadoran (Spanish and Native American) descent and her mother Shelly Loraine Fidler is of German descent on her father's side and of Irish, Welsh and Dutch descent on her mother's.
Named #27 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005)
Was featured as #8 in Maxim Magazine's "Hot 100 of 2002" supplement. (2002)
Was best friends with Britney Spears when they performed together on "MMC" (1989)
Her father Fausto was an Ecuador-born U.S. army sergeant, who split from her mom Shelly when Christina was 6. Her idol is legendary singer Etta James.
Named #37 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006).
Ranked #62 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.
Has appeared on every one of Maxim magazine's Hot 100 of the year lists.
Ranked #4 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.
Will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Other inductees include Brooks and Dunn, Ricky Martin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Harrison, Angela Bassett, Cate Blanchett, Tim Robbins, Stan Lee and Howie Mandel.
Is good friends with Korean singer Jung-hyun Lee.
Gave birth to her first child down the hall from Nicole Richie who was also giving birth to her child.
Gave birth to a baby boy on January 12th, 2008 at 10.05 pm. Christina and her husband, music executive Jordan Bratman, named the boy Max Liron Bratman. Max was 20.5 inches long and weighed in at 6 lbs., 2 oz.
Lived in Japan for three years before she starred on the Mickey Mouse Club.
In January 2008, she sold the first photos of her newbor n Max for $1,500,000.
Has sold over 20 million records since her first record, self-titled, Christina Aguilera, came out in August 24, 1999. [2008]
#8 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 of 2008 list.
Was offered the role of Stephanie Necrophuros in Nine (2009), but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts with her upcoming album recording. Kate Hudson was cast instead.
She pronounces her last name as "Ah-GEE-leh-ra" (not "Ah-Gwe-leh-ra"/ "Ah-Guh-leh-ra").
Returned to work three months after giving birth to her son Max in order to begin recording her fourth studio album "Bionic". |
