Christina Aguilera
Born 1980 · Age 45
American singer-songwriter, actress and television personality known for her four-octave range, artistic reinventions, and major pop hits across multiple decades.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Staten Island, New York
Christina María Aguilera born at Staten Island University Hospital to Shelly Loraine and Fausto Xavier Aguilera.
Parents divorce; moves to Rochester, Pennsylvania
Mother Shelly filed for divorce and moved with Christina and sister Rachel to Shelly's mother’s home near Pittsburgh.
Performs on Star Search
Performed 'A Sunday Kind of Love' on Star Search and reached the semifinal round, gaining national attention.
Selected for The All New Mickey Mouse Club
After auditioning against thousands, was chosen as a 'Mouseketeer' and joined the show's 1993 cast; moved to Orlando for the program.
MMC ends; begins pursuing music career
Series reported to not return for a new season; Aguilera began preparing for a recording career.
Moves to Japan and records with Keizo Nakanishi
Recorded duet 'All I Wanna Do' and performed concerts in Japan; single had limited success.
Represents US at Golden Stag Festival (Romania)
Traveled to Romania for the Golden Stag Festival singers contest; did not win.
Records 'Reflection' for Mulan soundtrack
'Reflection' was recorded for Disney's Mulan (1998) and reached number 15 on Billboard Adult Contemporary chart; increased industry attention.
Signed to RCA Records
A&R executive Ron Fair signed Aguilera to RCA following attention from 'Reflection'.
Debut album recording begins (large investment)
Recorded debut album with producers, writers and vocal lessons reportedly costing over $1 million.
Single 'Genie in a Bottle' released
Lead single from debut album; topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and was the second best-selling single of 1999.
Debut album 'Christina Aguilera' released
Album debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200; sold over 10 million copies in first year and later certified 8× platinum RIAA; total sales cited ~17 million worldwide.
Fires manager Steve Kurtz; hires Irving Azoff
Filed fiduciary duty suit and changed management to Irving Azoff to gain control over career and image.
Wins Grammy Award for Best New Artist
Won Best New Artist at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, cementing mainstream credibility.
Performs at Super Bowl XXXIV halftime show
Performed alongside Enrique Iglesias, Phil Collins and Toni Braxton at the Super Bowl halftime.
Named Billboard's Top Female Pop Act of 2000
Billboard recognized her as the year's top female pop act following massive commercial success.
Releases second album 'Mi Reflejo' (Spanish)
Spanish-language album topped Billboard Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums for 19 consecutive weeks; later certified 6× Latin platinum (RIAA) and won Best Female Pop Vocal Album at the Latin Grammys.
Releases 'My Kind of Christmas'
First Christmas album; reached #1 on US Top Holiday Albums chart.
Featured on Ricky Martin's 'Nobody Wants to Be Lonely'
Collaboration peaked at #13 on the US Hot 100 and was a global charting single.
Features on 'Lady Marmalade' (Moulin Rouge! soundtrack)
Collaboration with Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink; topped the Hot 100 for five weeks and won a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and the VMA for Video of the Year.
Just Be Free demo album release & lawsuit settlement
Warlock Records released demo recordings from mid-1990s; Christina sued and the matter was settled confidentially allowing the release for an unspecified payment.
Releases single 'Dirrty' and adopts Xtina persona
Shifted to a provocative image and released controversial single 'Dirrty' which peaked at #48 on Billboard Hot 100 but was a UK #1 and cult classic.
Releases album 'Stripped'
Executive-produced and co-wrote most songs; debuted at #2 on Billboard 200; certified 5× platinum RIAA and reported worldwide sales ~12 million.
Co-headlines Justified & Stripped Tour with Justin Timberlake
North American joint tour attracted 546,483 attendees and grossed over $31.8 million, ranking 16th on Billboard's Top 25 Tours of 2003.
2003 MTV Video Music Awards Kiss with Madonna
Performed with Britney Spears and Madonna; kissed Madonna on stage—performance became one of the most iconic VMA moments.
Hosts 2003 MTV Europe Music Awards
Hosted the EMAs and drew media attention for provocative performance as part of the show.
Records 'Car Wash' and voices a role in Shark Tale
Recorded cover with Missy Elliott for Shark Tale soundtrack and voiced a Rastafarian jellyfish in the film.
Releases lead single 'Ain't No Other Man'
Lead single from Back to Basics praised for old-school soul influence; peaked at #6 on Hot 100 and sold 1.7M digital copies in the US; won Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Releases album 'Back to Basics'
Double album inspired by 1920s–1950s music; debuted at #1 on Billboard 200; certified double platinum RIAA and sold over 5 million units worldwide; nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammys.
Performs with Tony Bennett; Grammy nomination follows
Performed 'Steppin' Out with My Baby' on Bennett special; performance later nominated for a Grammy and recorded officially in 2012 for Bennett's Viva Duets.
Back to Basics Tour begins
Tour (Nov 2006–Oct 2008) visited North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania; grossed around $48.1 million and was highest-grossing female tour of 2007.
Memorable Grammy performance of 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World'
Performed at 49th Annual Grammy Awards; performance widely praised and cited among top Grammy moments.
Releases 'Keeps Gettin' Better' ahead of greatest hits
Lead single debuted at #7 on Billboard Hot 100 and sold ~1.156 million digital copies in the US.
Releases 'Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits' (greatest hits)
Compilation debuted at #9 on Billboard 200 and was later certified gold by the RIAA.
Releases single 'Not Myself Tonight'
Lead single from then-upcoming album Bionic peaked at #23 on Billboard Hot 100; performed on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Releases album 'Bionic'
Sixth studio album debuted at #3 on Billboard 200 and topped European/UK charts; mixed reviews; later certified gold (RIAA) and sold ~1 million copies worldwide.
Film debut in 'Burlesque' and Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Starred as lead in Burlesque; film grossed ~$90 million worldwide. Received Hollywood Walk of Fame star week of film premiere. Soundtrack reached #18 and certified gold by RIAA.
Joins 'The Voice' as coach
Became a coach on NBC's The Voice (debut season 2011) and later returned for multiple seasons.
Featured on Maroon 5's 'Moves like Jagger'
Collaboration topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four non-consecutive weeks, making her one of few artists to top the chart across three decades.
Releases single 'Your Body' and announces 'Lotus' era
'Your Body' reached #1 on US Dance Club Songs and #34 on Billboard Hot 100; it served as lead single for Lotus.
Releases album 'Lotus'
Seventh studio album described as a 'rebirth'; peaked at #7 on Billboard 200 and has sold ~303,000 copies in US (as of 2019).
Features on Pitbull's 'Feel This Moment'
Single peaked at #8 on Billboard Hot 100 and later certified platinum by the RIAA.
Duet 'Say Something' with A Great Big World released
Song became a massive hit, peaking at #4 on the Hot 100, later certified 6× platinum by the RIAA and won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 57th Grammys.
Announces engagement to Matthew Rutler
Aguilera and Matthew Rutler announced their engagement on Valentine's Day 2014.
Birth of daughter Summer Rain
Welcomed daughter Summer Rain Rutler with partner Matthew Rutler.
Acts in TV series 'Nashville' (season 3)
Had a recurring role and contributed songs to the soundtrack; 'Shotgun' reached #28 on Hot Country Songs.
Exits 'The Voice' after season 10
Left the show following the tenth season, with her contestant Alisan Porter having won that season.
Releases tribute single 'Change' for Orlando victims
Released ballad dedicated to victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting; debuted on Billboard Bubbling Under chart.
Releases 'Telepathy' featuring Nile Rodgers for The Get Down
Disco-influenced track reached #1 on the US Dance Club Songs chart.
Voices character in The Emoji Movie
Provided voice work and had a song featured; film released in July 2017.
Performs Whitney Houston tribute at American Music Awards
Gave a high-profile tribute which generated mixed reactions about selection of performer.
Announces completion of eighth studio album
Announced album completion and appeared on Paper magazine cover; album Liberation was announced.
Releases album 'Liberation'
Eighth studio album debuted at #6 on Billboard 200; incorporated R&B and hip-hop; included singles that earned Grammy nominations.
Embarks on The Liberation Tour
First headline tour in a decade (Sept–Nov 2018) in the US; praised by critics and named among best live shows by Billboard.
Launches Las Vegas residency 'The Xperience'
25-date residency at Zappos Theater, Planet Hollywood (May 2019–Mar 2020).
Releases 'Haunted Heart' for The Addams Family soundtrack
Song received critical acclaim, topped US Kid Digital Song Sales chart and was nominated at Hollywood Music in Media Awards.
Releases 'Loyal Brave True' for live-action Mulan
Promotional single released March 2020; shortlisted among potential Academy Award nominees for Best Original Song.
Re-records 'Reflection' for Mulan (2020)
Re-recorded the earlier hit 'Reflection' and released it in August 2020.
Signs management deal with Roc Nation
Announced new management agreement with Roc Nation.
Performs sold-out shows at Hollywood Bowl with Gustavo Dudamel
Two sold-out performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.
Receives People's Music Icon Award
Honored with the People's Music Icon award at the 47th People's Choice Awards.
Releases ninth studio album 'Aguilera' (initial double album)
Album (tribute to Latin music) initially released as a double album with parts La Fuerza and La Tormenta; later completed as full release Sept 30, 2022 (La Luz).
Headlines Los Angeles Pride festival
Headlined LA Pride with guest performers; performance sparked controversy over use of a strap-on during set.
Full release of 'Aguilera' album
Full album release included three parts (La Fuerza, La Tormenta, La Luz) and multiple singles; received critical acclaim.
Reissues 'Stripped' for 20th anniversary
Reissue included B-side 'I Will Be' and Benny Benassi remix of 'Beautiful'; released new 'Beautiful' music video.
Wins Latin Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album ('Aguilera')
The album earned seven Latin Grammy nominations and won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 23rd Annual Latin Grammys.
Time Studios & Roc Nation announce documentary partnership
Time Studios partnered with Roc Nation to produce an upcoming documentary about Aguilera.
Announced as executive producer for 'Burlesque' stage adaptation
Reported she would executive produce a stage musical adaptation of Burlesque, which later debuted in 2024.
Performs at EuroPride concert in Malta
Performed as part of EuroPride festivities in Malta.
Releases 'Learning to Fly' for PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
Contributed a song to the animated film's soundtrack.
Various honors and awards across career summarized
Career totals cited in sources: over 100 million records sold worldwide; accolades include five Grammy Awards, two Latin Grammys, star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, Time 100 listing (2013) and Disney Legend recognition.
Key Achievement Ages
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