Christina Aguilera

Christina rocked the Emmy’s Sunday night, both on the red carpet and singing with Tony Bennett. Her red carpet dress (white with a big black bow over her belly) was super cute and just flowy enough to cover her growing belly. I love her makeup … very dramatic with the red lips but not near as drag queen as she’s been rockin’ it lately.

Her onstage number was adorable and hot pink, and even flowier than her red carpet dress, this time with incredibly understated makeup letting the dress do all her talking. She looked gorgeous in both, and rocked the Emmys like only Christina can! Follow the jump for all the pics!

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Every Friday I’ll be posting a photo of the fabulous Miss Christina, and asking you all to tell me what year it was taken! I’ll post the answer on Monday morngings (in the post, just added at the end) so you’ll have to wait until then to find out if you’re unsure. Until then, take a guess in the comments, and feel free to cheat if necessary!

In future weeks, I’ll hopefully be able to turn these into contests for prizes, so keep participating!

And now, without further adieu, here’s this week’s photo!

When was this glam-tastic photo taken???

Christina Aguilera

After spending the night partying at LAX, Christina and her husband Jordan hit the shops in L.A.

She doesn’t even look tired after partying all night, which bugs me somehow. If it had been me out all night, there’s no way I’d look this cute! Ah, to be rich and famous.

She even had smiles for the paps, which is rare from her!

Christina Aguilera

With the entire musical world decending on Las Vegas last weekend, Xtina capitalized on the moment by hosting a party at LAX.

Tons of celebs were there, from Adrian Grenier to Paris Hilton, who outed Christina’s pregnancy to the club by congratulating both Jordan and his lovely wife. Hah! Paris is the best friend ever! Of course there’s still no word from Camp Aguilera, but at this point we can all tell she’s got a baby on the way.

Cutie Christina pulled off a potential fashion miss as only she knows how, and enjoyed herself all night long!

Christina Aguilera, LAX

     On August 24, 1999, Christina released her first ever self-titled album.  With the help of manager Steve Kurtz, the album quickly 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.

Her big singles were “Genie in a Bottle“, “What a Girl Wants” and “Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You)“.  They topped the charts for 1999 and 2000, and were followed up by “I Turn to You“, a hit that reached #3 with lightning speed.  Aguilera won the “Best New Artist” award at the 2000 Grammy Awards, and was nominated for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” for “Genie in a Bottle”.

To show us just what she was made of, Christina performed many times after the release of “Christina” with only an acoustic guitar and a room full of people.  She ended the year on a high note performing for MTV’s 2 Large New Year’s Special as MTV’s first artist of the millennium.

Following the Latin pop trend of the time, Aquilera decided to show her roots.  After”Christina”, she released her first Spanish album, “Mi Reflejo“ on September 12, 2000.  The album consisted of Spanish renditions of songs from her English debut as well as completely new tracks.  Not quite as popular as “Christina”, it peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200.  However,  it landed a number one spot on the Latin album charts, and in 2001 it won Aguilera a Latin Grammy Award for “Best Female Pop Vocal Album”.   Selling  2.5 million copies worldwide,  ”Mi Reflejo” has been certified Gold(500,000) in the USA and 3x Platinum (600,000* Latin album).   Not bad for an album that was considered to be less beloved than her first. 

She also won the World Music Award as the best selling Latin artist that year.  On October 24, 2000, My Kind of Christmas was released. It also shot to the top margin on the charts and was certified platinum in the U.S.  With all of her success, specifically within the Latino culture, it was no surprise when Ricky Martin asked her to duet with him on the track “Nobody Wants to Be Lonely” from his album “Sound Loaded“.   

Continuing on her path to success, Aguilera teamed up with a few other popular stars in 2001.  Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, and Pink were selected to remake Patti LaBelle’s 1975 single “Lady Marmalade” for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack.  The  hit went straight to the top at number one on the Hot 100.  It held its top position for 5 weeks, and it earned all four performers a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals“. 

Unfortunately, not everything was sunshine and puppies for Christina in the years 2000-2001…

to be continued… 

False rumors of Aguilera and Bratman having a baby together have been buzzing around since they were hitched in 2005 (much to Christina’s chagrin).   It was only a month ago that we learned from a secret source that this time its for real, and that she’s about 3 months along which means she has passed the first critical stage of pregnancy.  But who was this secret source? 

Well, up until now it has been unclear who told the press about the baby.  But recent reports indicate that it was her father that let the cat out of the bag.  No one has yet interviewed Christina about this to see how she feels.  Knowing her troubled past with her dad, I cannot imagine she would be too pleased.  But, who knows?   Our Christina is full of surprises.  Quite literally in this case.  (0:   

   Apologies for the wait between posts.  But, its good to be back, and there is plenty to talk about!

Channel X sends winners of the Telcom (Malaysia) Berhad’s downloading promotional contest on an all expenses paid trip to see Christina live in Singapore! 

Simply by downloading as much “Aguilera” content as they could from Celcom’s one-stop online Mobile Content portal, Channel X, 10 ecstatic fans won the chance to see their beloved Christina perform her Back to Basics concert without planning or paying for a single thing.  The contest ran from 1st June - 22nd June 2007, and subscribers with the highest Christina Aguilera Content download from Wap, Web and Call Me Tones won the prize. 

The contest was the combined effort of Sony BMG Music and Celcom’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Encik Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin, and Mr Adrian Lim, Managing Director of Sony BMG Music.

The following are statements made by Celcom about the promotional contest:

“We here at Celcom strive in making our customers feel truly special, and we believe the best way to do this, is to allow them to experience for themselves what it means to be truly connected to a service provider who gives them more opportunities, more exciting offerings, awesome cool content and superior quality. There’s still many more surprises coming their way, as the community of the Ultimate Mobile Download Universe, Channel X, is increasing as we speak”.  –  Encik Zalman Aefendy
“We are pleased to work with Celcom in rewarding Christina Aguilera’s loyal fans. Since her concert would not be held in Malaysia, Celcom is taking her fans to the concert in Singapore instead.”  –  Mr Adrian Lim

Winners got to travel with a chosen friend in a spectacular “Christina Aguilera” bus, painted the signatory Channel X purple with Christina’s seductive image gracing the side panels of the vehicle, and were given specially designed “Christina” banners and posters to show their spirit at the concert.

wow… i wish.

As promised, I am going begin covering Christina’s past for anyone interested.  In order to keep one or two posts from becoming a full on novel, I will break it up in sequences.  Because artists are often inspired by their past, I will be focusing on the events in her life that specifically made her the artist she is today. 

Segment 1: The little girl with a big voice    

“The little girl with the big voice” was the name she earned growing up in the Pittsburgh suburb of Wexford, Pennsylvania.  After moving from her birthplace and away from an abusive father in Staten Island, New York City, New York with her mother and younger sister Rachel, the small family settled into suburban life looking for a fresh start. 

Christina soon became an active participant in local talent shows and other musical competitions.  It quickly became clear that no one could compete with her.  Her peers acted out in jealousy, mocking her and ostracizing her in school.  And the jealous anger did not limit itself to the playground.  Aguilera’s family soon began to suffer as well, finding their home repeatedly vandalized.  In one instance of vandalism, Christina’s mother walked outside to find the tires of her car had been slashed.  Left with no better option, the family moved again.  This time, Christina was adamant that no one know of her talent. 

 The secret was kept for several years.  Though eventually, unable to suppress her desire to sing, she stepped back out into the limelight.  Her first big break was on an episode of Star Search, on which she sang Etta James’ “A Sunday kind of love”.  While she didn’t win the competition, she got the push she needed to launch her local career. 

Her next performance was on

Back in the saddle, Aguilera found many opportunities to showcase her ability.  She sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Pittsburgh Penguins hockey games, Pittsburgh Steelers football and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games. 

Finally, her first major role in entertainment came in 1993 when she joined the Disney Channel’s variety show The New Mickey Mouse Club.  Working with Co-Stars like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, she earned a new name, “the diva”.  

After the show was cancelled, Aguilera began recording demos in an effort to land herself on a record label.  At the age of fourteen, Aguilera recorded her first song, “All I Wanna Do”, a hit duet with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi.   Later, 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.

In 1998, Christina got everyone’s attention.  Using an old tape recorder to tape herself in her bathroom, she belted out the High “E” in full voice (E₅) on a cover of Whitney Houston’s “Run to You“.   After music execs stumbled across this demo, they asker her to sing 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.  The song peaked within the top twenty on the Adult Contemporary Singles Chart, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for “Best Original Song” in 1998.

to be continued… 

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         Between America’s growing unhealthy obsession with stars (yes, i realize the irony), and an ever expanding playground providing new ways to spend their money by the boatload, its no wonder our starlettes are becoming spoiled.  Paris pouting in prison, Jolie swiping hubbys, Ashlee Simpson syncing and lying about it, Lohan locking lips with anything that moves all for the attention… sigh.  Its becoming a regular three ring circus out there, and we are buying tickets to watch.  It makes you think.  Is it ALL a charade these days?  Is there anyone to look up to anymore?  Or, have all the true musicians, artists, and upstanding individuals moved on to a better world than this?  

While I can’t speak for everyone, I believe there is at least one left.  Her name is Christina Aguilera. 

Think back with me.  She started small, worked hard, and earned her way into our heart without the help of kitchy gimmicks or far fetched t.v. contests.  She came onto the scene with a voice that could knock you on your rear, a soul that was open and ready to spill out, and a sweet and gracious spirit.

Of course, every star has rumors spread about them, and typically negative ones at that.  But, through it all she has managed to maintain a state of grace unkown to most stars today.  Married to a man she took time to get to know, a sound business woman that knows how to create her own success, and now maybe even a mom. 

We would like to take a moment to thank you Christina.  Always respectful to the reporters and fans, always gracious, you are one of a kind. 

As I come to a close, I want to leave you with material from an interview with Christina during part of her already begun ’Back to Basics’ tour that, in part, inspired me to write this blog.

      ”I am the kind of artist that constantly likes to change and constantly likes to challenge myself and give my audience a new look and a new me,” she said. “I’m constantly setting myself up for the possibility that people aren’t going to like it. And for me, I just have to live with that because I’d rather come forth with something that’s real and honest to me as an artist rather than try and second guess myself and try to figure out what the public and the critics and everyone’s going to like.

“I’ve just got married over the past year and a half and I’ve grown into a completely different person.  I fell in love and was in a relationship with my now husband, so I was just discovering a new side of myself.  It took me to this kind of feel-good place.  And during the tour, I’ve been adding that sense of home and peace to the concert.  It makes me enjoy this peace, this chapter of my life.”

“At the end of the day, something I’ve learned really early on is that you cannot please everybody at the same time.  It’s just impossible.  I really feel that it’s really important that I stick to my guns and I listen to my heart and do what I want to do. During the tour, I’m also getting inspired for what the next album will be, what the next look will be, which will be completely different from this one.” 

Now that’s someone you could bring home to mother…

 - side announcement -

If you have a website that needs traffic, follow the link below.  It takes you to a page called freeviral.  There will be alot of ’car salesman’ like pitches thrown at you, but nevermind those.  Don’t purchase anything, don’t follow up on bogus ads.  Here is all you need to pay attention to. 

1. Go to the bottom of the page and ignore the cheesy sales pitch and obnoxious site design.

2. Visit the 6 links provided and paste the codes in the boxes.

- if you were wondering, a link to this site is within the 6.  that is what i am getting out of it, lol.  but, that at least goes to show that it works… b/c it has for me. -

3. Fill out their registration form and follow the instructions they send you via email. 

4. When all is said and done, make sure you place a link, banner, or something up on your site that leads to the freeviral page with YOUR as one of the 6.

Altogether its a fast, simple set up to get you traffic.

p.s.  I would suggest writing a note similar to this one if you want to try it.  The page can be confusing, and it looks like a scam.
 

Click this link to visit the traffic generator mentioned above!

    Whether you are a die-hard Christina fan, or someone who happened to like that one song they heard on the radio, a discog of her releases will really come in handy. 

    Use it as a check list for your personal collection, or simply browse through it to get a better understanding of who Christina is musically, and where she’s been! 

: Albums :

 : Compilations :

: Singles :

…wow.  Thats a bunch of hits…

: Videos : 

*** If you need free traffic on your website, read the bottom of ’someone to bring home to mother’ and follow the link.  ***

Back to Basics 

is the most ambitious conceptual piece put out by a mainstream pop artist since Green Day’s American idiot.  As with Green Day, Aguilera manages to stretch herself far beyond the constraints of her past work, and with a backwards glance at all of the classic artists that influenced and inspired her, is able to create one of the most sincere and emotion filled albums of the year.

The Concept behind the Music

It’s no secret that Christina has always been in love with the music of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.  As a young girl, it was this classic soul sound that spoke to her.   Clearly, Back to the Basics is an effort to revisit the music that made her the artist she is. The album is divided into two factions. Disc 1 is a varied mix of contemporary beats, jazz-influenced horns, and echoes of classic soul that under gird an emotional song cycle similar to that of Aguilera’s last album Stripped.  Disc 2, developed with songwriter/producer Linda Perry, presents us with a vintage style stage show that brilliantly combines what Christina Aguilera has learned through the introspective experimentation on disc 1, with new maturity and acceptance.  The songs echo the past, both musically and personally, but still find a comfortable niche within contemporary pop standards.

Yahoo! Music: Live Sets

See Christina Aguilera live. Performing just for her fans!music.yahoo.com

Christina AguileraDownload & Listen To Your Favorite Christina Aguilera Songs Here Free!www.Ez-Tracks.com  

*** If you need free traffic on your website, read the bottom of ’someone to bring home to mother’ and follow the link.  ***