POST BACK TO BASICS

Singer, songwriter, performer, producer, perfumer-is there anything Christina Aguilera hasn’t done, and done exceedingly well? One of the most accomplished performers of the last decade, she has sold more than 25 milion albums worldwide, achieved four #1 singles on the Billboard hot 100 chart, and has won three Grammy Awards and a Latin Grammy Award, as well as two top five albums in the United States. She has collaborated with other great artists including Herbie Hancock, Andrea Bocelli, Sean “Diddy” Combs and most recently, the legendary Tony Bennett.

After sweeping the top of the charts with her third album, “Back to Basics,” which debuted at #1 in August ‘06 and went on to become the biggest seller in the SoundScan era for a female artist, shipping 2 million worldwide, the unstoppable Aguilera announced a 41-city North American tour. With special guests the Pussycat Dolls as openers, the fashion legend Robert Cavali as the exclusive costume designer, choreographer and director Jamie King (Madonna, Janet Jackson and Prince) on board, and a unique stage design that allowed fans unprecedented access to the pop star, the shows were a feast for all senses and earned her rave reviews.

Barely catching her breath from this whirlwind, which came at the heels of extensive European dates, Aguilera lent her hand to an entirely new production-an eponymous perfume, which she launched in October ‘07 through Procter and Gamble. The heady, fruity fragrance is wild and exotic, sensual and succulent. And its hourglass shaped bottle with coquettish lace trim perfectly reflects its seductive boudoir sensibility. “I love trying new things in my music and in fashion,” says Christina. “To have a perfume of my own is the beginning of an exciting adventure.”

But perfume is hardly her latest creation. In January 2008, Aguilera gave birth to her first child, son Max Liron Bratman. No doubt mommyhood is the next colorful phase in a life that has included everything from Mouseketeer to MAC spokesperson.

Following the birth, in February 2008 the new mom served as the muse behind London jeweler Stephen Webster’s new sterling silver collection. Christina inspired and fronts the unconventional collection posing as a Hitchcock heroine in the ad campaign. “Where we took the ads I think, is a really original place. It was fun experimenting with that,” says Christina.

The Staten-Island native’s trajectory from performing in local talent shows in Pennsylvania, where she grew up, to getting her big break on “Star Search” in 1992 to landing a part on the Disney Channel’s “The New Mickey Mouse Club”, is well known. It was her song, “Reflection,” for Disney’s “Mulan,” that led to a record deal with RCA and the release of her self-titled debut album in the summer of 1999. The album quickly hit #1 on the strength of its first dance/pop single, “Genie In A Bottle” (which dominated the charts for five weeks) and other chart toppers including “What A Girl Wants.” It was a feat she would repeat the following year with “Mi Reflejo,” the smash Spanish-language version of her debut, followed by her hit holiday release, “My Kind of Christmas.”

In 2001 Aguilera joined forces with Pink, Mya and Lil’ Kim on the smash “Lady Marmalade” single and video. That eye-popping slice of eye and ear candy kept her front and center in the international spotlight even as she began, slowly and steadily, to lay the groundwork for her second album, Stripped. Released in October 2002, it sealed her status as an international superstar while transforming her image from bubble-gum-pop princess to steamy sex kitten. Along with the superheated funk of the album’s provocative debut single, “Dirrty,” came such standout tracks as “Beautiful,” “Can’t Hold Us Down” and “Make Over.”

Earning her first of four Grammy Awards in 2000 for Best New Artist, her subsequent trophies came in 2001 for “Lady Marmalade” (Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals), in 2003 for “Beautiful” (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) and in 2007 for “Ain’t No Other Man (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance), winning a Grammy for each of her albums. Among countless other honors, she is also the recipient of a 2001 Latin Grammy Award for Mi Reflejo (Best Female Pop Vocal Album), a 2000 Billboard Music Award for Female Artist of the Year, and two 2004 Rolling Stone Music Awards (Best Female Performer, Readers’ Pick; and Best Tour, Readers’ Pick, “Justified and Stripped”). Voted Sexiest Teen Idol in a VH1 poll, Aguilera’s beauty and charisma have also led Teen People to list her among its “25 Hottest Stars Under 25″ and Maxim to crown her Best International Female Singer (2000), one of the Sexiest Women of the Year (2003) and #1 on their “Hot 100″ List (2003). Aguilera has also been honored with two NRJ Awards (Best International Female, Best International Album) as well as a 2007 MTV Europe Award (Best Female Artist).

Today, while devoting the lion’s share of her time to recording and touring, the 26-year-old is active in a range of philanthropy. A major contributor to the fight against AIDS, Aguilera has participated in the “What’s Going On?” cover project for AIDS Project Los Angeles’ Artists Against AIDS. In 2004 she became the new face for MAC cosmetic company and spokesperson for the MAC AIDS Fund. More recently she became involved in awareness campaigns with Youth AIDS and ALDO. She also sponsors and is actively involved in the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh for battered women and children.

BACK TO BASICS

One of the most accomplished performers of the last decade, Christina Aguilera has sold well over 25 million albums worldwide and cultivated a fan base that crosses generational, racial and gender lines. Now, segueing from the audacious sexuality of her second studio album, Stripped, the chameleon-like performer pays tribute to the music that has inspired her with the August 15th release of Back to Basics (RCA Records).

A modern take on vintage jazz, soul and blues from the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s and beyond, her third studio album is wildly inventive, whose throwback style creates a sound that’s gritty and raw. The album reunites her with producer Linda Perry and offers new collaborations with producers such as DJ Premier. The upbeat first single, ‘Ain’t No Other Man’, will be world-premiered on the MTV Movie Awards on June 8 prior to its debut on June 12.

“This is a concept album that follows a bold vision,” explains Aguilera. “The touchstones are Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald – what I used to call my ‘fun music’ when I was a little girl”.

The double album, Back to Basics, utilizes an orchestra, choir, string quartet and jazz horns, as well as techniques that, according to GQ, “blends a vintage-soul sound with state-of-the-art beatsmanship to form a throwback/hip-hop showcase for her outsize voice”. ‘I Got Trouble’ incorporates a scratchy blues feel, while ‘Candyman’ recalls the tight harmonies of all-girl groups from the ’30s and ’40s. ‘Save Me From Myself’ is an emotionally naked, raw-sounding song dedicated to her husband. ‘Thank You’, dedicated to her fans, features DJ Premier splicing bits of ‘Genie in a Bottle’ with fan voicemail messages. Also sure to appeal to Aguilera fans is the risqué song ‘Nasty Naughty Boy’ (which has a ’20s burlesque feel) and the sassy club track ‘Still Dirrty’.

Aguilera’s backstory is well-known. A native of Staten Island, the pre-teen began performing in local talent shows while growing up in Pennsylvania. In 1992, after appearing on ‘Star Search’, she joined the cast of the Disney Channel’s ‘The New Mickey Mouse Club’. In 1998 Aguilera’s song ‘Reflection’ for Disney’s ‘Mulan’ led to a record deal with RCA and the release of her self-titled debut album in Summer, 1999. The album quickly hit #1 on the strength of its first dance/pop single, ‘Genie in a Bottle’ (which dominated the charts for five weeks) and other chart toppers including ‘What a Girl Wants’. It was a feat she would repeat the following year with Mi Reflejo, the smash Spanish-language version of her debut, followed by her hit holiday release, My Kind Of Christmas.

In 2001, Aguilera joined forces with Pink, Mya and Lil’ Kim on the smash ‘Lady Marmalade’ single and video. That eye-popping slice of ear candy kept her front and center in the international spotlight even as she began, slowly and steadily, to lay the groundwork for her second album, Stripped. Released in October 2002, it sealed her status as an international superstar while transforming her previous squeaky-clean image into a fully sexualized woman with lots on her mind. Along with the superheated funk of the album’s provocative debut single, ‘Dirrty’, came such standout tracks as ‘Beautiful’, ‘Can’t Hold Us Down’ and ‘Make Over’.

Earning her first of three Grammy Awards in 2000 for Best New Artist, her subsequent trophies came in 2001 for ‘Lady Marmalade’ (Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals) and in 2003 for ‘Beautiful’ (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance). Among countless other honors, she is also the recipient of a 2001 Latin Grammy Award for Mi Reflejo (Best Female Pop Vocal Album), a 2000 Billboard Music Award for Female Artist of the Year, and two 2004 Rolling Stone Music Awards (Best Female Performer, Readers’ Pick; and Best Tour, Readers’ Pick, ‘Justified and Stripped’). Voted Sexiest Teen Idol in a VH1 poll, Aguilera’s beauty and charisma have also led Teen People to list her among its ‘25 Hottest Stars Under 25′ and Maxim to crown her Best International Female Singer (2000), one of the Sexiest Women of the Year (2003) and #1 on their ‘Hot 100′ List (2003).

Today, while devoting the lion’s share of her time to recording and touring, the 25-year-old is active in a range of philanthropy. A major contributor to the fight against AIDS, Aguilera has participated in the
‘What’s Going On?’ cover project for AIDS Project Los Angeles’ Artists Against AIDS. In 2004 she became the new face for MAC cosmetic company and spokesperson for the MAC AIDS Fund. More recently she became involved in awareness campaigns with YouthAIDS and ALDO. She also sponsors and is actively involved in the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh for battered women and children.

STRIPPED

True to its title, Stripped, the audacious new RCA Records release from Christina Aguilera, strips away the last remnants of her previous teen idol persona and what’s left is as real as it gets.

The sixteen new tracks that comprise Stripped, including her sensational debut single, ‘Dirrty’, showcases an unadorned, unfettered and fearlessly outspoken artist who has liberated herself, her soul and her music on an album that is as much a declaration of independence as it is a convincing demonstration of her fierce and original talent. Simply put, this is the real deal.

“When you’re seventeen years old, green and inexperienced, you’re grateful for any guidance and direction you can get,” says Christina on her rocket sled ride to the top following the 1999 release of her ponymously-titled debut album, with its string of consecutive chart toppers, including ‘Genie in a Bottle’ and ‘What a Girl Wants’. It was a feat she would repeat the following year with Mi Reflejo, the smash Spanish language version of her debut, followed by her hit holiday release, My Kind of Christmas.

Ten million plus albums, a Grammy win for Best New Artist and a marathon round of world touring later, Christina began to fearlessly break free from the mass media mask that hid her true self, and the full scope of her talent.

“I felt trapped,” she admits. “I was under the thumb of people who were mostly interested in keeping me doing exactly the same thing. But I’m not blaming anyone,” she’s quick to add. “You learn fast in this business and, once I knew where I wanted to go, I didn’t let anyone get in my way.”

Where she wanted to go, at least initially, was to her Los Angeles home where she could catch her breath, reconnecting with herself and her two canine companions. “I needed a break,” she reveals. “I wanted to disappear into empty space for a while. So much had happened in such a short time, and not only in my career. I’d gone through a breakup with my first real love and I began realizing that I should be experiencing a bit more of life than TV and recording studios, hotels and green rooms.”

As well intended as her much-deserved hiatus may have been, the vocalist and songwriter still had to contend with the restless creative energy that had fueled her preteen trajectory from talent show contestant in and around her native Pittsburgh to international superstardom.

“I’m driven,” is Christina’s frank admission. “Even in the midst of touring, I was thinking about what my next album would be, writing bits and pieces of songs in journals and scrapbooks.”

That album, like Christina’s long overdue R&R, would have to wait. Unable to resist the lure of a promising creative collaboration, she joined forces with Pink, Mya and Lil’ Kim on the smash ‘Lady Marmalade’ single and video. That eye-popping slice of ear candy kept her front and center in the international spotlight even as she began, slowly and steadily, to lay the groundwork for a musical manifesto that would change all the rules.

“I was straight ahead about what I wanted to do,” Christina continues. “For a long time, I’d been uncomfortable with the image that had been built around me and my music. It felt like I was pretending, trying to hide the real me, and hurting inside because of it. This time I was determined to step beyond the hype and glitter, to take it back down to the bare necessities. It was like starting all over again.”

Yet at the same time, Christina’s bold work-in-progress wasn’t simply a reaction to the past. “I wanted to explore some of the music that had inspired me coming up,” she explains. “I’ve always been a huge fan of soul. I love real rock & roll and hip-hop, of course, is one of my biggest influences. I wanted it all.”

And what she wanted, she set about to achieve with a relentless determination and a willingness to stretch her creative boundaries. “I’ve always thought recording was about attaining perfection,” she reveals. “What I discovered making this album is that getting across real feelings is what’s important. As much as possible, I wanted to have the listener right there in the studio with me. I wanted to introduce myself, to get down to it. What mattered was sharing what I was really going through… for the first time.”

And the first and most formidable challenge for Christina was to assemble a supporting cast that, in her words, “weren’t influenced by my old image”. A ruthless process of elimination yielded a production and songwriting team that included, among others, Pink producer Linda Perry; the team of Redman and Rockwilder; Alanis Morrissette producer Glenn Ballard; fast rising studio wizard Scott Storch, as well artist/producer Alicia Keys.

Recorded over an eighteen-month stretch, with Christina firmly at the helm every step of the way, Stripped slowly but surely took shape, not only as an exercise in breathtaking stylistic diversity but as a resonant and revealing look into the mind and emotions of a young woman on the verge of personal and professional liberation.

The result is resonant and revealing original tracks that decisively shred Christina’s squeaky clean persona, even as they set the stage for a career that, millions of albums and concert tickets later, is only now just getting started.

The proof is all over Stripped, from the opening notes of ‘Impossible’, the smoky ballad by Alicia Keys, to the romantic revelations of ‘Can’t Hold Us Down’, featuring the persuasive production of Scott Storch; from the soaring affirmations of ‘Beautiful’, to blistering licks of ‘Make Over’, to the superheated funk of ‘Dirrty’, featuring Redman and Rockwilder. “I loved ‘Let’s Get Dirty’,” Christina reveals, “So I asked Rockwilder to put something together kind of like that for me.” She laughs. “What I got was a little too close, but then I figured, ‘Why not?’ The track is like an answer song to the original, only from a female point of view.”

As much excitement and surprise as a first listening to Stripped might generate, there are other textures, urgent, honest and unguarded, that emerge with time. “Everything I sing about in ‘I’m OK’ is real,” she asserts. “I took it right out of my life and I’m singing it right to my Dad.” While another Stripped standout, ‘Can’t Hold Me Down’, may at first sound like payback to a certain superstar rapper, for Christina that’s hardly the point. “I haven’t got time for all that,” is her retort. “I’m more interested in helping girls stand up for themselves. That’s what the song is about – double standards and how we’re supposed to look and act a certain way just to please men. If I have any influence as an entertainer, I want it to be optimistic and uplifting, to make this world a little better place to live.”

For Christina Aguilera, it all begins by getting real. “This music is who I am,” she confidently asserts. “You can take it or leave it, but I’m not going to change, not for anyone.” In the end, she says, it’s a tribute to the millions of worldwide fans who have made her a household name. “Fans grow up, too,” she smiles. “We’re all reaching out for something more real and if we really want it, we’re going to find it. This album is for anyone who really wants it.”

DEBUT

In the two years from the day that she burst onto the world musical landscape, Christina Aguilera has scored four #1 smash hit singles, watched sales of her chart-topping RCA debut album surpass the 12 million mark worldwide (23 million CDs and singles total sold to date), headlined the Super Bowl Half-time Show, performed for the President, and to top it all off, took home two Grammys including one for Best New Artist, headlined a mammoth 2000 international tour, released a Spanish language album, and a holiday album of seasonal favorites. Christina Aguilera continues to provide evidence that she is the premier musical voice of her generation.

Christina first began performing at age six in school talent shows and became known as the ‘little girl with a big voice’. At age eight, she appeared on the nationally syndicated ‘Star Search’, using her runner-up winnings to buy a portable sound system so she could sing in the park. By the time she was 10, Christina was singing the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins. And then, at twelve, she joined the ensemble cast of ‘The New Mickey Mouse Club’, appearing on the Orlando-based show along with future stars Britney Spears, J.C. and Justin of *NSync, and Keri Russell of ‘Felicity’. After two years, the show ended and Christina got the opportunity to travel overseas to further hone her musical skills. In 1997, Christina performed in places as far flung as Tokyo, Japan (where she released a single with Keizo Nakanishi called ‘All I Wanna Do’) and Brasov, Romania, but always with her eye on the same goal. “I always wanted to have my own album recorded and released before I graduated high school,” says Christina. She certainly took quick strides toward that goal.

In early 1998, after finishing some demos and shopping for a record deal, Christina auditioned to sing ‘Reflection’ for Disney’s animated film Mulan. The filmmakers needed someone who could hit a high E above middle C, according to Christina, who then cut a one-take demo in her living room singing to a karaoke tape of Whitney Houston’s ‘Run To You’. The demo was rushed to Disney, and within a day, Christina was in a Los Angeles studio recording ‘Reflection’. That 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’. “Working on the Mulan project was so unbelievable,” Christina said in June 1998. “I seriously thought I wouldn’t get the job because the song was so difficult. It’s so cool to hear your voice in a theater.” The single went on to garner a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture and Christina had the attention of some of the best writers and producers in the industry.

On her self-titled debut album for RCA, those writers and producers helped Christina showcase her special talents. “I was thrilled to work with so many great writers and producers on my album,” says Christina. ‘What a Girl Wants’ was produced by Guy Roche (Brandy, Cher, Dru Hill, Aaliyah, K-Ci & Jo Jo), ‘Genie in a Bottle’ was produced by ex-System member David Frank and Steve Kipner, and ‘Blessed’ was penned and produced by Travon Potts (co-writer of Monica’s chart topping ‘Angel of Mine’). Meanwhile, Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers (*NSync, Boyzone, Brand New Heavies) contributed a pair of tracks, the soul-flavored ‘Love For All Seasons’ and the rousing ‘Love Will Find A Way’. Christina is particularly proud of the album’s ballads, such as the Matthew Wilder-produced ‘Reflection’, and ‘Obvious’ written by newcomer Heather Holly, and of course, master tunesmith Diane Warren’s smash ‘I Turn to You’.

Christina Aguilera’s breakthrough year in ‘99 began with her first #1 single ‘Genie in a Bottle’, which stayed atop the charts for five consecutive weeks and rocketed the album to #1 upon its release in August 1999. The follow up single ‘What a Girl Wants’ reached the coveted first Billboard Hot 100 #1 slot of 2000 (the first #1 hit of the new millennium) and helped to push the album into platinum territory many times over (‘Come On Over (All I Want is You)’ became the third #1 from the album later in 2000).

Among other honors, along with stars like Jodie Foster and Aretha Franklin, Christina was named one of the most fascinating women of 1999 on the ‘Ladies Home Journal’ CBS-TV special earlier this year. Christina also won 1999’s Best New Artist at this year’s ALMA Awards, the annual event honoring the best in entertainment from the Hispanic-American community. She graced the covers of many national magazines, including Entertainment Weekly, Teen People and Latina and performed as a musical guest on ‘Saturday Night Live’, ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’, ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show’, and was the only female guest performer on VH1’s ‘Men Strike Back’. She also performed on other TV specials such as ‘The Essence Awards’, ‘Disney Summer Jams’, and ‘People Magazine’s 25 Hottest Stars Under 25′.

Other highlights for Christina over 1999 included a duet with blues legend BB King and a solo performance of ‘The Christmas Song’ for President Clinton on TNT’s ‘Christmas at the White House’ TV special. This led to the President asking Christina to sing the first song on his televised Millennium special from Washington. Christina had to decline due to a prior commitment to perform from Times Square in New York on MTV’s New Year’s Eve broadcast. Christina’s amazing new year of 2000 began with a great duet performance with Enrique Iglesias at the Super Bowl Half Time Show which also featured Phil Collins and Toni Braxton.

What made all her commercial success so much sweeter, were Christina’s two Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal performance. In February 2000, Christina’s incredible ride to the top reached new heights as Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge and Sara McLaughlan announced that the Grammy for Best New Artist goes to – Christina Aguilera! “It was an incredible shock for me,” Christina recalls of that amazing night. “I was completely unprepared. My album had been out the least amount of time compared to everyone else, so I thought there was no way I’d win. But I was overwhelmed, shocked and overjoyed all at the same time.”

As for her national summer 2000 tour, cosponsored by Sears and Levi’s, Christina was equally enthusiastic. “It was exciting to take my full band and my dancers out on the road,” she says, “and giving the show an edgy, theatrical vibe. I was in on all the creative aspects of planning the show, of covering new ground, doing more blues, soul, and some spectacular choreography.”

Christina recorded a Spanish language album ‘Mi Reflejo’ released in fall 2000 and a seasonal album ready in time for the holidays. Said Christina, “I’ve always been proud of my Ecuadorian heritage. Recording a Spanish album and working with a great producer like Rudy Perez, gave me a chance to explore my Latin side.” As for the Christmas album, Christina was excited about performing with a 70-piece orchestra and the opportunity to record both new and traditional holiday tracks. “I did a duet with Dr. John on ‘Merry Christmas Baby’,” she notes, “and several new pop Christmas songs with a real R&B edge.”

In March 2001, Christina collaborated with Ricky Martin on ‘Nobody Wants To Be Lonely’ that peaked at number 11 on Billboard charts, and became a worldwide international hit.

Christina also proved that she can work with other divas, as she did in the remake of ‘Lady Marmalade’, from the ‘Moulin Rouge’ soundtrack which spent five weeks at #1. Teamed with Pink, Mya and Lil’ Kim, their video took home the 2001 MTV Video Award for ‘Best Video of the Year’ (among many awards the record received). She also appeared on the All Star Tribute remake of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On?’, with a star-studded cast including Bono and Nelly Furtado. She capped off an amazing 2001 by winning her second Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Album for ‘Mi Reflejo’.

Billboard Magazine recently wrote about her great prospects for a long future: “Christina Aguilera’s much anticipated sophomore album is likely to be a hit with the critics and crowds alike. Boasting an edgier sound and self-written lyrics, this CD should end comparisons between Aguilera and bubble gum queen Britney Spears.

It’s been two years since the release of Aguilera’s self-titled debut disc – which was home to #1 hits like ‘Genie in a Bottle,’ ‘What a Girl Wants’ and ‘Come On Over’. This former Mousketeer has risen to a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum pop powerhouse.

In the time since her entrance into the music world, Aguilera has proven successful in both the English and Latin fields. Aguilera has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry including BB King, Brian McKnight, Sting, Ricky Martin and most recently Pink, Mya and Lil Kim on their #1 smash ‘Lady Marmalade’. Not bad for a 20-year old.

The outlook is very good for her newest record. She has expanded her horizons musically and gained new and excited fans. There’s nowhere for this young and talented beauty to go except up.”

With fans ranging beyond the teen market, Christina has shown that this ‘Genie in a Bottle’ has been released – and is soaring.

“This (new) record is extremely personal,” Christina recently told Time magazine. “It’s so personal that I feel like people from my past will say ‘Oh my God, she’s singing this to me.’ I have a lot of things to say and a lot of things to let out of me. I feel like I was very confined in that first record to be very pop-driven. I want to be a poet and have a chance to explore that and let people know what’s really on my mind.”

Over all, Christina Aguilera is as overwhelmed as she is thrilled by her enormous success, but she remains reflective and grateful. “It’s been quite a roller-coaster ride,” she laughs, “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 people’s lives. I know that’s a greater accomplishment than selling records. For that I give thanks. I simply love the job I’m doing.”