From genie to icon: Christina Aguilera on 25 years of celebrity, sex and motherhood

Over the past 25 years, Christina Aguilera has undergone a remarkable evolution from a teen pop sensation to a multifaceted icon, embodying resilience, empowerment, and personal growth. It’s been a quarter-century since Aguilera burst onto the scene with her debut single, “Genie in a Bottle,” a track that catapulted her into the spotlight and established her as a formidable force in pop music. At just 19 years old, Aguilera showcased not only her powerful vocal abilities, which Rolling Stone aptly described as “powerhouse pipes,” but also a depth of self-awareness that suggested there was far more to her than the typical late ’90s bubblegum pop persona.

In a candid interview with Glamour magazine, Aguilera reflected on her early career and her dissatisfaction with the “bubblegum” image she was often forced into. “I didn’t love the bubblegum thing, where you had to play a virgin but not act like one,” she confessed. Her frustration was evident, and it was clear that she felt constrained by the one-dimensional nature of the pop persona she was expected to embody.

Despite her reservations, Aguilera’s debut singles, including “Genie in a Bottle” and “What a Girl Wants,” were massive hits. However, at the age of 19, she was eager to redefine herself and break away from the constraints of her initial image. This led to the creation of her second album, Stripped, released in 2002. Aguilera’s vision for Stripped was to present a more authentic and complex portrayal of herself as an artist, diverging from the hypersexualized “innocent little girl” image she had been marketed as.

In an interview with Paper Magazine, Aguilera discussed the challenges she faced during this period. She expressed discomfort with the prevalent “macho male gaze” in the music industry, revealing that it was an environment she found unsettling and unrepresentative of who she truly was. Her desire to fight for a more genuine expression of sexuality and self was a driving force behind Stripped. This album marked a significant departure from her previous work and allowed her to explore and communicate her true identity.

The music video for the album’s second single, “Beautiful,” was particularly groundbreaking. It featured depictions of same-sex couples and a transgender woman, pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms at the time. Aguilera dedicated the song to the LGBTQ+ community, and her advocacy was recognized with a special award at the 2003 GLAAD Media Awards.

As she has matured, Aguilera has embraced a new perspective on her career and personal life. Now in her 40s and a mother of two—her daughter Summer Rain with fiancé Matt Rutler, and her son Max from her marriage to music producer Jordan Bratman—she has found a sense of balance and self-assuredness that comes with age. “I have a maturity now where I just don’t give a f**k about your opinion,” Aguilera asserts. This newfound confidence allows her to focus on her creative passions and personal fulfillment rather than the opinions of others.

Aguilera’s approach to fame and motherhood reflects a desire to instill similar values in her children. “You just want the best for your kids,” she says, emphasizing that her primary goal is to impart a sense of self-respect and resilience to them. She has learned to not take herself or fame too seriously, prioritizing the joy and creativity that drew her to music in the first place.

As she continues to evolve both personally and professionally, Aguilera is learning to let go of past constraints and fully embrace her identity. She acknowledges that she is a “weird juxtaposition of things,” but she is more comfortable with this complexity than ever before. “You have to be an example to your kids, too,” she notes, recognizing the importance of embodying the values she wishes to pass on.

Christina Aguilera’s journey from a teen pop star to a powerful, self-assured icon is a testament to her resilience and dedication. Her evolution reflects a deep commitment to authenticity and empowerment, both for herself and for the wider community she continues to inspire.