Christina Maria Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Known for her wide vocal range, vocal power, and willingness to change her musical and visual style, Aguilera became one of the defining pop performers of the late 1990s and 2000s.
Aguilera first attracted public attention as a child performer and later joined the cast of The All New Mickey Mouse Club, where she appeared alongside future stars including Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. Her first major recording opportunity came with "Reflection," the theme song for Disney's animated film Mulan (1998). The song showcased her unusually mature voice and helped secure her contract with RCA Records.
Her self-titled debut album, Christina Aguilera, was released in 1999. It established her as a leading figure in the teen-pop revival, while also distinguishing her from many of her contemporaries through her vocal technique and interest in soul and rhythm and blues. The album reached number one in the United States and produced the chart-topping singles "Genie in a Bottle," "What a Girl Wants," and "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)." Aguilera won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2000.
She expanded her audience in 2000 with Mi Reflejo, a Spanish-language album that included Spanish recordings of songs from her debut as well as new material. The record strengthened her connection with Latin audiences and earned her a Latin Grammy Award. That same year, she released the Christmas album My Kind of Christmas.
With Stripped (2002), Aguilera made a deliberate break from her early teen-idol image. The album drew on pop, R&B, soul, rock, and hip-hop, and its songs addressed self-definition, sexuality, vulnerability, and personal freedom. "Dirrty" presented a deliberately provocative new image, while "Beautiful" became one of her most enduring songs and an anthem of self-acceptance. Other notable tracks included "Fighter" and "Can't Hold Us Down."
Aguilera took another stylistic turn with Back to Basics (2006), a double album influenced by blues, jazz, soul, and early twentieth-century pop. Led by "Ain't No Other Man," the project combined vintage arrangements with contemporary production and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Later albums, including Bionic (2010), Lotus (2012), and Liberation (2018), continued her pattern of experimentation, moving through electronic pop, dance music, balladry, and modern R&B.
Her major collaborations include "Lady Marmalade" with Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink, "Moves Like Jagger" with Maroon 5, "Feel This Moment" with Pitbull, and "Say Something" with A Great Big World. The latter won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Aguilera also pursued acting, most notably starring opposite Cher in the musical film Burlesque (2010). She served as a coach on the television competition series The Voice during its early seasons and appeared in films including The Emoji Movie and Zoe. Her work has earned multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and recognition for her vocal influence. Alongside her entertainment career, Aguilera has supported hunger-relief efforts and advocated for human rights and LGBTQ+ equality.