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Christina Aguilera - Biography |
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Christina Aguilera's story is a
Hollywood dream come true. The daughter of a father in the military and a
violinist/pianist mother who toured Europe with the Youth Symphony
Orchestra, this18-year-old has traveled the world, living for a time in
Japan, Florida, Texas and New Jersey, before settling in Wexford, PA, a
suburb of Pittsburgh.
"I wanted to perform as long as I could remember" says the blonde, blue
eyed high school senior. Christina first began performing in school talent
shows. As an eight-year-old she appeared on the nationally syndicated
"Star Search", at age ten she sang the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh
Steelers and Penguins, and then, at age 12 landed a spot on the "New
Mickey Mouse Club" appearing on the Orlando-based show along with several
other future stars, including J.C. and Justin of 'N Sync and the star of
"Felicity", Keri Russell.
After two years on the weekly Disney show, Christina traveled overseas to
further hone her musical skills. She recorded a duet, "All I Wanna Do,"
with Japanese pop star Keizo Nakanishi, appeared in the video and toured
in Japan. Later that year, the young show biz veteran almost caused a riot
at the Golden Stag Festival in Transylvania, Romania when she waded into
the crowd of 10,000 while performing her two song set on a bill which
included Sheryl Crow and Diana Ross.
On her return to the States in early 1998, Christina was invited to
audition to record, "Reflection," for the Disney animated film "Mulan."
The studio's search for a powerful voice with a wide vocal range quickly
ended. They needed someone "who could hit a high "E" above middle "C,"
according to Christina. At her manager's request, Christina cut a one take
demo on her boombox in her living room singing to a karaoke tape of
Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Run To You". The demo was FedExed to Disney --
they loved it -- and within 48 hours, the young girl with the unique
mature voice was in a Los Angeles studio recording "Reflection". That very
same week RCA Records signed her to a record contract. Mulan premiered in
June, 1998 and "Reflection" turned into a Top 15 A/C single, with
Christina performing it live on "CBS This Morning" and the "Donnie & Marie
Show."
The song's theme -- the struggle to establish your identity -- was
something I could really relate to as a teenage girl myself," says
Christina. The song also related well to critics, garnering a Golden Globe
Nomination for best original song in a motion picture.
On her debut album for RCA, Christina continues to define herself and
showcase her special voice. From the sparkling upbeat dance-pop of the
first single, "Genie In A Bottle," to the guitar driven, heartfelt fun of
"What A Girl Wants", to the soulful gospel strains of "So Emotional" and
the truly awe-inspiring ballad, "I Turn To You", Christina's powerful
affecting voice intertwines the themes of finding your own identity with
the uncertainties of growing up.
"I was thrilled to work with so many great producers on this album" gushes
Christina. Recent hitmakers Carl Sturken & Evan Rogers ['N Sync, Boyzone,
Brand New Heavies] contribute a pair of tracks -- the pop-soul "Love For
All Seasons" and the rousing dance-floor smash "Love Will Find A Way."
"Genie In A Bottle" was produced by ex-System member David Frank and Steve
Kipner. The uncomplicated, heartfelt "Blessed" was penned and produced by
Travon Potts [co-writer of Monica's chart topping "Angel of Mine].
Christina is specially proud of her ballads, including the Matthew Wilder
["No Doubt"] produced "Reflection" and the spine-tingling Diane Warren
ballad "I Turn To You", produced by Guy Roche [Brandy, Dru Hill, Aaliya,
K-Ci & Jo Jo]. Her soaring uptempos and thrilling ballads serve as ample
proof that Christina is not just a new kid on the block, but a prime
candidate for the Voice of her generation. This debut album marks another
huge step for Christina down the road of commercial and critical success.
With numerous television appearances to her credit it is not surprising
that Christina has recently been approached by a number of directors for
roles in films going into production this summer. But, this blond beauty
with dazzling blue eyes is going to wait a bit before pursuing more time
in front of the camera. "Right now, I'm continuing to focus on my
singing," says Christina, "I've been waiting for this moment my whole
life." |
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Christina Aguilera - Personal Quotes |
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"There is not truth to the
rumors that we hate each other. I have no ill feeling for Britney
and vice versa. I am proud of all the achievements she has made in
her career, she is a very hard working person. I have nothing but
love for her."
"It's disgusting and offensive and above all it's not true." - about
Eminem's lyrics in "The Real Slim Shady" which contained sexual
references about her
"It's the closest I ever got to being in a girl group." - about
singing the remake of "Lady Marmalade" with Pink, Mya and 'Kimberly
'Lil' Kim' Jones' .
"I like to be edgy, I like to be different. I'm a little bit of
rebel."
"The big hair paid off!" (after winning an MTV Award for the video
"Lady Marmalade, shared with singers Mya, Pink and 'Kimberly 'Lil'
Kim' Jones' ).
"It's funny how society places such strict standards upon young
blonde females. We're supposed to play the clean-cut view the public
wants of us. But I am not your little cookie-cutter virgin."
"It's human nature to have a sexual side."
"I think that whatever size or shape body you have, it's important
to embrace it and get down! The female body is something that's so
beautiful. I wish women would be proud of their bodies and not dis
other women for being proud of theirs!"
"You can take it or leave it, but I'm not going to change, not for
anyone."
"It's been quite a roller-coaster ride, But I think I've grown and
learned a lot about myself. In this business, it's often all about
hype, record sales, and a crazy schedule of traveling, performances,
and it can be easy to get lost in all that. But for me, the greatest
thing is being able to interact with fans and touch peoples' lives.
I know that's a greater accomplishment than selling records. For
that I give thanks. I simply love the job I'm doing."
"Hold your head high and sway your hips when you walk!"
"Power is making a statement about who you are."
My parents divorce and hard times at school, all those things
combined to mold me, to make me grow up quicker. And it gave me the
drive to pursue my dreams that I woundn't necessarily have had
otherwise.
"I have grown up now and have no need to dress like that anymore. I
want my music to speak for me rather than the dress or lack of
dresses I wore."
"Confidence is the hugest thing - once you exude that, guys catch
on."
"It is such a hush-hush topic because it happens in the home. I
definitely wrote that song not to badmouth him at all, but one, for
a healing process for myself, and two, to give people hope or a
voice to relate to. To know that you can get through it and that it
will be OK." - On why she wrote the song 'I'm OK', which is her take
on her father Fausto Aguilera's abusive behavior before her parents
separated.
"Be a strong female - don't be afraid of the flack that goes along
with that."
"Obviously, all the positive are very flattering and being compared
to Mariah and I get a lot of Britney comparisons as well, and she's
extremely talented, but we are two different artists and even when
I'm doing radio interviews and stuff they want to ask me very
personal questions about her and you have to be a little protective
of yourself and what you say because there are so many people
wanting to get you to say things and pulling you in so many
directions."
"My inspiration, I've had many, again, starting with Julie Andrews
at a young age. But, growing up, I sang Whitney Houston songs in
talent shows. But, when I discovered Mariah Carey and "Vision Of
Love", that was a breath of fresh air and I adored her from that
moment on and idolized her. It's really amazing that in articles
I've been compared to her. It's truly unbelievable because, whenever
I was younger, I would ask my mom, do you think I'll ever be as big
and sing as well as Mariah Carey. And now that it has happened, my
mom says, I knew it would happen".
"I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing clothes that covered my entire
body."
"I never really had this father figure, which never bothered me. I
had my mom, I had people that did love me and care for me." -on her
childhood.
"I'm a performer. I can totally walk myself down the aisle. I just
realized it would be really nice to have that male protector in your
life, to have felt that your entire life, and to have that one
person give you away to the next man that's going to take care of
you." -on not having her father to walk her down the aisle at her
wedding
"In five years time I'd probably like to start thinking about a
child," -on having kids with her husband of one year, Jordan
Bratman. |
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Christina Aguilera -
Discography |
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Studio albums
Christina Aguilera (August 24, 1999)
Mi Reflejo (September 12, 2000) (Spanish Language)
Stripped (October 29, 2002)
Back to Basics (August 15, 2006)
Number-one singles
1999
"Genie in a Bottle"
2000
"What a Girl Wants"
"Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You)"
2001
"Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" (with Ricky Martin)
"Lady Marmalade" (with P!nk, Lil' Kim and Mya)
2002
"Dirrty" (featuring Redman)
"Beautiful" |
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Christina Aguilera - Filmography |
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Shark Tale (2004) (voice)
(uncredited) .... Christina
Reflections on Ice: Michelle Kwan Skates to the Music of Disney's
'Mulan' (1998) (TV) (singing voice) .... Fa Mulan |
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Christina Aguilera - Related Links |
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Wikipedia: Christina Aguilera
YouTube: Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera at Babemania.com
Top Celebrities Sites:
The Celebrity
Cafe |
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