the beginning
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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