In less than a year from the day that she burst onto the world musical landscape, Christina Aguilera has scored two #1 smash hit singles, watched sales
of her chart-topping RCA debut album surpass the eight million mark worldwide, headlined the Super Bowl Half-Time Show, performed for the President, and to
top it all off, took home the Grammy for Best New Artist. With current plans that include a mammoth summer / fall national tour, a new 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. At age eight, she appeared on the nationally syndicated 'Star Search,' at ten she sang 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 'N Sync, 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 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 "I Wanna 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.' The single went on to garner a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Original
Song in a Motion Picture and Christina 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, Aaliya, 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 ('N Sync, 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 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
and helped to push the album into platinum territory six times over. What made all this 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. μthe
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." Indeed, if "What A Girl Wants" is the first #1 hit and the first Best New Artist Grammy of the millenium, Christina certainly wants no
more.
Other highlights for Christina over the past few months include 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 Millenium
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 continued with a great duet performance with Enrique Iglesias at the Super Bowl Half Time Show which also featured Phil Collins and
Toni Braxton.
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 recently won Best New Artist at this year's ALMA Awards, the annual event honoring the
best in entertainment from the Hispanic-American community. She's 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 VHI's 'Men Strike Back.' She also performed on other TV specials such as 'The Essence Awards,' 'Disney Summer Jams,' and 'People
Magazines's 25 Hottest Stars Under 25.'
Planning for the months ahead, Christina will be recording a Spanish language album for fall release and a seasonal album ready in time for the holidays. Said
Christina, "I've always been proud of my Ecuadoran heritage. Recording a Spanish album and working with a great producer like Rudy Perez, gives me a chance to
explore my Latin side." As for the Christmas album, Christina is excited about performing with a 70-piece orchestra and the opportunity to record both new and
traditional holiday tracks. "I'll be doing a duet with Etta James on 'Merry Christmas Baby,'" she notes, "and some new pop Christmas songs with a real R&B edge."
As for her upcoming national summer 2000 tour, co-sponsored by Sears and Levi's, Christina is equally enthusiastic. "It's going to be exciting to take my
full band and my dancers out on the road," she says, "and giving the show an edgy, theatrical vibe. Right now, I'm getting into the creative aspects of planning the
show, of covering new ground, doing more blues, soul, and some spectacular choreography."
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 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."
So do all of Christina's fans.
