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Name: Christina Maria Aguilera
Birthday: 12.18.1980
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Staten Island, New York
Hometown: Wexford, Pennsylvania
Parents: Jim & Shelly
Siblings: Michael, Casey, Rachel & Stephanie
Hobbies: Shopping, music, dancing, shopping, watching movies, sports like basketball, baseball, and volleyball, and hanging out with friends
Fave Colors: Turquoise & Purple
Favorite Musicians: Etta James, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eve 6, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, No Doubt, Julie Andrews
Favorite Celebrities: Johnny Depp, Julio, Ben Affleck & Enrique Iglesias
Favorite School Subjects: English & Science
Favorite Disney Movies: Mulan, and The Little Mermaid
Goals: to be a successfull recording artist, continue in the 'business', move into acting a bit without leaving music (like Whitney Houston), learn Spanish, play the piano, and visit South America.
Christina Aguilera's story is a Hollywood dream come true. The daughter of a father in the military and a violinist/pianist mother who toured Europe with the Youth Symphony Orchestra, this 18-year-old has traveled the world, living for a time in Japan, Florida, Texas and New Jersey, before settling in Wexford, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh.
"I wanted to perform as long as I could remember" says the blonde, blue eyed high school senior. Christina first began performing in school talent shows. As an eight-year-old she appeared on the nationally syndicated "Star Search", at age ten she sang the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins, and then, at age 12 landed a spot on the "New Mickey Mouse Club" appearing on the Orlando-based show along with several other future stars, including Britney Spears, J.C. and Justin of 'N Sync and the star of "Felicity," Keri Russell.
After two years on the weekly Disney show, Christina traveled overseas to further hone her musical skills. She recorded a duet, "All I Wanna Do," with Japanese pop star Keizo Nakanishi, appeared in the video and toured in Japan. Later that year, the young show biz veteran almost caused a riot at the Golden Stag Festival in Transylvania, Romania when she waded into the crowd of 10,000 while performing her two-song set on a bill which included Sheryl Crow and Diana Ross.
On her return to the States in early 1998, Christina was invited to audition to record, "Reflection," for the Disney animated film "Mulan." The studio's search for a powerful voice with a wide vocal range quickly ended. They needed someone "who could hit a high "E" above middle "C," according to Christina. At her manager's request, Christina cut a one take demo on her boombox in her living room singing to a karaoke tape of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Run To You."
The demo was FedExed to Disney - they loved it - and within 48 hours, the young girl with the unique mature voice was in a Los Angeles studio recording "Reflection". That very 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 song's theme -- the struggle to establish your identity - was something I could really relate to as a teenage girl myself," says Christina. The song also related well to critics, garnering a Golden Globe Nomination for best original song in a motion picture.
On her debut album for RCA, Christina continues to define herself and showcase her special voice. From the sparkling upbeat dance-pop of the first single, "Genie In A Bottle," to the guitar driven, heartfelt fun of "What A Girl Wants", to the soulful gospel strains of "So Emotional" and the truly awe-inspiring ballad, "I Turn To You", Christina's powerful affecting voice intertwines the themes of finding your own identity with the uncertainties of growing up.
"I was thrilled to work with so many great producers on this album," gushes Christina. Recent hitmakers Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers ['N Sync, Boyzone, Brand New Heavies] contribute a pair of tracks - the pop-soul "Love For All Seasons" and the rousing dance-floor smash "Love Will Find A Way." "Genie In A Bottle" was produced by ex-System member David Frank and Steve Kipner.
The uncomplicated, heartfelt "Blessed" was penned and produced by Travon Potts [co-writer of Monica's chart topping "Angel of Mine"]. Christina is especially proud of her ballads, including the Matthew Wilder [No Doubt] produced "Reflection" and the spine-tingling Diane Warren ballad "I Turn To You", produced by Guy Roche [Brandy, Dru Hill, Aaliya, K-Ci & Jo Jo]. Her soaring uptempos and thrilling ballads serve as ample proof that Christina is not just a new kid on the block, but a prime candidate for the Voice of her generation. This debut album marks another huge step for Christina down the road of commercial and critical success.
In fact, each of Christina's releases in 1999 topped the charts. Her debut single, "Genie In A Bottle," camped atop the Number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts for five straight weeks, and her follow up smash, "What A Girl Wants," repeated that feat, as the very first Number 1 of the new millenium, staying aloft at the Number 1 position for the first two chart weeks of 2000. Christina's album also had an amazing debut on August 24, surprisingly besting Puff Daddy's latest, to sit atop the Billboard Album Chart in its very first week. The self title debut album has gone on to sell over 8 million copies worldwide and is still going strong.
In December of 1999, Christina released an amazing uptempo rendition of the Christmas classic, "The Christmas Song (Chesnuts Roasting)" which raced up to the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart even though it was released for only two weeks. It was the highest chart position that this incredible song ever reached despite there being over 750 known recordings of it, and the first one to chart since the original Nat King Cole version nearly 40 years ago!
In addition to her own singles and album, in 1999 Christina sang a ballad entitled "We're A Miracle," which she co-wrote, on the "Pokeman Soundtrack" (currently double platinum). In March, 2000 a great uptempo, entitled "Don't Make Me Love You," was included on the soundtrack for the Madonna movie, 'Next Best Thing.'
Of course, Christina's achievements were not solely on the charts. She sang for President Bill Clinton (and with BB King) on the televised special, 'Christmas in Washington,' shared Super Bowl halftime honors with Enrique Iglesias, Phil Collins and Toni Braxton; and most exciting of all, walked off with the ultimate honor, as she won the Grammy for Best New Artist on February 24, 2000.
The rest of 2000 promises to be as exciting as the celebrations for the new milllenium. In April and May Christina is recording an entire Spanish language album for release in September. In June through October, Christina will be dazzling her fans with her first headlining tour throughout the US and Canada. In the Fall, in addition to the usual posters and other fan merchandise, Christina will be releasing her own line of Christina-inspired shoes and cosmetics. November will find Christina touring in South America. And last but certainly not least, in mid-December, an entire album of holiday recordings (including some special duets) will be released and featured in a prime time major network Christina television special.
With numerous television appearances to her credit, it is not surprising that Christina has recently been approached by a number of directors for roles in films going into production this summer. But, this blond beauty with dazzling blue eyes is going to wait a bit before pursuing more time in front of the camera. "Right now, I'm continuing to focus on my singing," says Christina, "I've been waiting for this moment my whole life."
