Biography
Date of Birth
18 December 1980, Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name
Christina Maria Aguilera
Nickname
Chrissy
Baby Jane
Candy
Madam X
Xtina
MusicTina
LegendTina
QueenTina
The Voice Of A Generation
Princess of Pop
ThickTina
Height
5' 2" (1.57 m)
Mini Biography
Christina Maria Aguilera was born on December 18, 1980 in Staten Island, New York City, New York to musician Shelly Loraine Fidler Kearns and U.S. Army sergeant Fausto Wagner Xavier Aguilera Monge. Her father is Ecuadorian and her mother, who is American-born, has English, Scots-Irish, and German ancestry. Her parents divorced when she was young and she lived with her mother, although they moved around a lot. Her goal almost since birth was to be a singer, and at age 12 she was invited to audition for The All New Mickey Mouse Club (1989). She won the part and stayed until the show ended. In 1999 she had her breakthrough hit, "Genie in a Bottle." Since then she's made millions of fans, sold millions of records, and won many awards, including a Grammy for Best New Female Artist. She has even made a Latin album and released a Christmas album.
Aguilera is a bilingual singer. She has received many honors including Grammy Nominations and a win for Best New Artist. 2 MTV Video Music Awards, a Radio Music Awards, 2 VH1 Awards, and a Teen Choice Award with 'Lil' Kim', Mya and Pink and the smash hit "Lady Maramalade". She was on The All New Mickey Mouse Club (1989) with *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez, Britney Spears, Ryan Gosling, and Keri Russell. Her musical influences include Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson.
Trivia
Won a Grammy Award for "Best New Artist". [February 2000]
Made the Top 20 in FHM magazine's 100 Sexiest Women. [2001]
Announced that she would star in TV commercials for Coke, which were slated to appear in the United States in May 2001 and continue throughout the summer. The Coke campaign also offered a $1,000,000 grand prize for a sweepstakes as well as the opportunity to meet the pop princess and hang out with her during a video taping. Christina previously starred in commercials for Coke which aired solely in Latin America. The ads were such a success that Coca-Cola decided to run new ads featuring Christina Aguilera in the United States. [March 2001]
Attended and graduated from North Allegheny High School in Wexford, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1999).
Sued Warlock Records, Platinum Recording Group and producers Robert Allecca and Michael Brown to prevent them from releasing "Just Be Free", a demo compilation she recorded when she was just 14 years old. [May 2001]
Won the world's best selling Latin female artist at the World Music Awards. Christina also performed her #1 worldwide smash hit "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" with Ricky Martin at the ceremony. [2001]
Formerly dated backup dancer Jorge Santos. Christina co-wrote the songs "Infatuation" and "Loving Me 4 Me" about the relationship.
For two seasons, Christina appeared on The All New Mickey Mouse Club (1989) which furthered her desire to record an album before she graduated from high school.
Nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards. So far in her career, she has received 11 nominations. [July 2001]
In 1994, several labels, including RCA, passed on the opportunity to sign Christina Aguilera. Undaunted, she left for Japan to jump-start her career on distant shores.
With co-performers Lil' Kim, Pink and Mya, won two awards at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards for "Lady Marmalade". One was for the prestigious "Best Video of the Year" award and the other for the "Best Song From a Movie Soundtrack" award (Moulin Rouge! (2001)).
Is the host of the second annual Latin Grammy Awards show. [September 2001]
On October 26, 2001, she co-hosted the 2001 Radio Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada with Ricky Martin.
After wowing the crowd at a Pittsburgh charity banquet, 11-year-old Christina landed offers to sing the national anthem for the Penguins, Pirates and Steelers.
Her contract requests she gets various health foods and Flintstones chewable vitamins. Also soft drinks such as Coca Cola and Nesquik but not Pepsi or anything diet. [2000]
Attended Rochester Area Elementary School in Rochester, Pennsylvania.
Attended and graduated from Marshall Middle School in Wexford, Pennsylvania.
She won the 2002 Grammy Award (best collaboration) with Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink for her work in the Moulin Rouge! (2001) song, "Lady Marmalade".
Although she's half-Ecuadoran and has released a Spanish album, she does not speak Spanish fluently.
Has four siblings: a younger half-brother Michael (born 1996), stepbrother Casey, younger sister Rachel (born 1986) and stepsister Stephanie.
Above all sports, she prefers baseball and volleyball.
Considers Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Etta James and Billie Holiday as her most important musical influences.
Was named Godmother, "Madrina", for the second generation of students on the Mexican TV reality-talent show called "La Academia".
Her parents met while attending college at Brigham Young University in Utah.
Has two papillon dogs, Chewy and Stinky.
Nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards for her video "Dirrty" including, Best Female Video, Best Dance Video, Best Pop Video and Best Choreography in a Video.
Has her own shoe line, which is manufactured by ES Orginals. The shoe box that has her picture on it, can be used as a CD holder or picture frame.
Co-wrote Kelly Clarkson's hit single, "Miss Independent".
Ranked #1 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2003 list.
Is the host of MTV's 2003 Europe Music Awards.
Her parents were married in the LDS Temple in Washington, D.C.
Debuted on national television at age 8 on Star Search (1983). [1989]
At 11, she was the youngest person to perform the national anthem at a major sporting event at that time
Nominated for five 2003 Grammy Awards, Song of the Year, "Beautiful", Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, "Beautiful", Best Pop Collaberation with Vocal, "Can't Hold Us Down" (with Lil'Kim), Best Pop Vocal Album, "Stripped" and Best Remixed Recording, "Beautiful" (Peter Rauhofer, Remixer).
Nominated for five 2004 Grammy Awards, Song of the Year, "Beautiful", Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, "Beautiful", Best Pop Collaberation with Vocal, "Can't Hold Us Down" (with Lil'Kim), Best Pop Vocal Album, "Stripped" and Best Remixed Recording, "Beautiful" (Peter Rauhofer, Remixer).
Has a Cadillac SUV and a Range Rover.
Nominated for the 2004 Echo Awards Best International Female.
Her "Stripped" tour with Justin Timberlake came in first in Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 Readers' Poll for Best Tour.
Received three BRIT Award nominations, Best International Female Solo Artist, Best International Album, and Best Pop.
Has joined forces with Fetish, the cosmetic line to come out with a line of her own.
Won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, with her song, "Beautiful".
Her much talked about, ground-breaking, record-setting video "Dirrty" cost an estimated $5 million dollars to make.
In 2003, she made an estimated $29.7 million in album sales and endorsement campaigns.
Her video, "Fighter", has six nominations for the 2004 Music Video Production Association awards for best pop video, best hair and best makeup, best cinematography, best styling and best direction of a female artist.
Ranked #3 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2004 list.
Is one of Teen People magazine's 25 Hottest Under 25 (2004).
She was named Glamour magazine's very first Woman of the Year (2004).
She has four tattoos; on the back of her neck - "Xtina", on her left waist, on her left wrist and on her arm - "Te Amo Siempre".
Her infamous satin thong from her cover of Maxim magazine, was fetched by a lucky bidder on eBay for $1,542.69. The treasured thong was obtained from BBC Radio 1 personality Scott Mills, who got them from a friend at Maxim, according to the online description. The winner got more than the thong that once adorned the backside of Aguilera. The total eBay deal included a bottle of the pool water, a note from Mills, a note from a BBC producer, a letter from Maxim that included pointers from Aguilera and a copy of the racy magazine itself.
Ranked #14 on VH1's The 50 Greatest Women of the Video Era.
Stated in a recent interview that she had all her piercings removed with the exception of the one in her right nipple. [2004]
She has asked the US Patent and Trademark Office to approve over 450 items. Among the list are lingerie, crayons, skiwear, ropes and handcuffs.
Rolling Stone magazine wrote that her video, "Dirrty", is the most played music video of all time.
Her mother, Shelly Kearns, was voted #2 for best showbiz mother, according to an In Touch magazine poll. She was outvoted by Justin Timberlake's mother, Lynn Harless.
On December 21, 2003, she visited and donated $200,000 to the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in Oakland, a domestic abuse shelter.
Ranked #13 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).
Is a spokesperson for Fetish (cosmetics), Coca-cola, Versace, Sketchers, MAC-cosmetics, Virgin-mobile, Mercedes, Declare Yourself.com, Xpose (perfume).
Is mentioned in the song "Riot Girl" by Good Charlotte.
Is mentioned in Eminem's song "The Real Slim Shady" and spoofed in the song's music video.
Her last name is Spanish for "Eyrie".
150,000 FHM Music TV fans decided that "Dirrty" is the sexiest video of all time (2005).
Is on Us Weekly magazine's Young Hollywood Hot 20 list (2005).
Is an NPC (non-playable character) in The Sims: Superstar, an expansion pack for The Sims.
Named #16 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2005 list.
Husband Jordan Bratman asked for Christina's hand in marriage with a 5-carat diamond and platinum Stephen Webster ring.
Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake were among the 130 guests at her wedding to Jordan Bratman.
Her mom, Shelly has English, German, Irish, Scots-Irish (Northern Irish), distant French, Welsh & Dutch ancestry and her dad, Fausto is Ecuadorian.
Named #27 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement.
Ranked #8 in Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2002 supplement.
Was best friends with Britney Spears when they performed together on The All New Mickey Mouse Club (1989)
Her dad, Fausto was an Ecuadorian-born U.S. army sergeant, who separated from her mother Shelly when Christina was 6.
Her idol is legendary singer Etta James.
Named #37 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement.
Ranked #62 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.
Had appeared on every one of Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of the year lists, for 11 years in a row. From 2000 until 2011, she appeared somewhere on the list, including taking the No. 1 spot in 2003. However, she did not appear on the 2012 list, which was the first time the list was fan-voted and not chosen by the editors of the magazine. Her 11 year streak is likely a record now.
Ranked #4 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2007 list.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6901 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on November 15, 2010. Other inductees included Brooks & Dunn, Ricky Martin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Harrison, Angela Bassett, Cate Blanchett, Tim Robbins, Stan Lee and Howie Mandel.
Is good friends with Lil' Kim and Lee Jung-hyun.
Lived in Japan for three years, before she starred on The All New Mickey Mouse Club (1989).
Sold the first photos of her newborn Max for $1,500,000. [January 2008]
Has sold over 17 million records since her self-titled debut album came out on August 24, 1999. [2008]
Ranked #8 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2008 list.
Was offered the role of Stephanie Necrophuros in Nine (2009), which she turned down due to scheduling conflicts with her upcoming album recording. Kate Hudson was cast instead.
She pronounces her last name as "Ah-GEE-leh-ra" (not "Ah-Gwe-leh-ra"/ "Ah-Guh-leh-ra").
Returned to work 3 months after giving birth to her son Max in order to begin recording her fourth studio album "Bionic".
Ranked #18 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2010 list.
Sang the National Anthem wrong at Super Bowl XLV on Feburary 6, 2011.
Has sold 50 million albums worldwide.
Her second studio album "Stripped" has sold over 12 million copies worldwide.
Ranked #48 Sexiest Woman by the Spanish version of DT magazine (2011).
She was best friends with actress and singer Brittany Murphy for many years until Murphy's death on December 20, 2009 from pneumonia aged 32.
Made British chart history in 2010 when her fourth studio album "Bionic" registered the largest weekly decline by a British number one album by slipping 28 places to No. 29. It also had the lowest first week sales for a number one album in eight years with just 24,000 copies sold.
Named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. [2013]
Cancelled her North American summer tour with Chingy, due to strained vocal cords. [May 2004]
Has 2 children: son, Max Bratman (b. January 12, 2008) with ex-husband, Jordan Bratman & daughter, Summer Rutler (b. August 16, 2014) with fiancé, Matthew Rutler.
Gave birth to her son, Max down the hall from Nicole Richie who was also giving birth to her daughter, Harlow.
Engaged to Matthew Rutler since February 14, 2014: Valentine's Day 2014.
Ranked #15 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2014 list.
On May 24, 2016, she became the first female coach to have a winning team on The Voice (2011). Alisan Porter was named the winner of the tenth season.
Returned to work 3 months after giving birth to her daughter, Summer to resume mentoring on The Voice (2011).
Her album "Bionic", its songs and one video promoting the album's single were pre-nominated for nine Grammy Awards in categories: Record of the Year ("You Lost Me"), Album of the Year, Song of the Year ("You Lost Me"), Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("You Lost Me", "Lift Me Up"), Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals ("Woohoo"), Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Dance Recording ("Not Myself Tonight"), and Best Short Form Video ("You Lost Me"). In December 2010, Aguilera was not nominated for any of these awards, however.
Her song "Dynamite" won the Rocket Pop Music Award for Best Pop Song in 2009. Her Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 single, "Keeps Gettin' Better", was nominated in the same category.
She is mentioned in The Androids "Do It With Madonna.".
Loves the Disney princess films The Little Mermaid (1989) and Mulan (1998).
Nominated for four MuchMusic Video Awards for People's Choice: Favorite International Artist for "Genie In A Bottle" (2000), Best International Artist Video "The Voice Within" (2004) and "Candyman" (2007), Most Watched Video of The Year "Not Myself Tonight" (2011).
Revealed that during her "Liberation" album's working process she regretted not having Cardi B and Donald Glover known as "Childish Gambino", on the album; the first "got lost in the shuffle", after being discouraged by a producer to work with her, while the latter was working on the TV series Atlanta (2016) and the two never had the time to materialize the collaboration. Cardi B would have been the third female rapper that Christina has ever collaborated with on a studio album. The first was with Lil' Kim on "Stripped" and the second was with Nicki Minaj on "Bionic".
Nominated twice in the Latin Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance "Genio Atrapado" (2000) and Record of The Year "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti" (2001). Won Best Female Pop Vocal Album "Mi Reflejo" in 2001.
Nominated for two Juno Awards for International Album of The Year "Stripped" (2004) and Video of The Year "Hurt" (2007). Won Video of The Year for "Fighter" in 2004.
Nominated for two MTV Italian Music Awards for First Lady (2007) and Hot & Sexy Award (2011).
Nominated for one Mnet Asian Music Award for Best International Artist for "Dirrty" in 2002.
Won two Billboard Latin Awards for Pop Album of the Year, Female and Pop Album of the Year, New Artist, "Mi Reflejo" (2001). Nominated three times in 2014 for Crossover Artist of the Year, Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female, Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event, "Hoy Tengo Ganas de Ti".
Nominated for two MTV Video Music Brazil Awards for Best International Video "Dirrty" (2003) and "The Voice Within" (2004).
Recipient for one MOBO Award for Best Video "Dirrty" in 2003.
Won two Channel V Thailand Music Video Awards for Popular Duo/Group Video, "Lady Marmalade" (with Pink, Mya, and Lil' Kim) (2002) and Popular Female Video "Beautiful" (2003).
Won two ASCAP Pop Music Awards for Most Performed songs, "Come On Over (All I Want Is You)" (2002) and "Beautiful" (2004).
Her genital piercings set off metal detectors at an airport. She had to identify the piercings to security guards (2003).
Nominated for one Echo Award for Best International Female Artist. [2004].
Won four TMF Awards - Netherland for Best Newcomer (2000), Best Video, "Lady Marmalade" with Pink, Mya, and Lil' Kim (2002), and Best Female Artist in 2003 and 2004.
Nominated for one Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica Award for Best Pop Artist - International. [2003].
Won three NRJ Awards for Music Website of The Year (2004), International Female Artist of The Year (2004), International Album of The Year for "Back To Basics" (2007). Nominated for International Song of The Year, "Ain't No Other Man" (2007) and International Female Artist of the Year (2009).
Won the Premios Amigo Award for Best International Newcomer. [2000].
Won five TMF Awards - Belgium for Best Video of The Year, "Lady Marmalade" with Lil Kim, Mya, and Pink (2001); Best Female Artist International, Best Album International, "Stripped", Best Video International, "Fighter" (2003); Best Female Artist International (2006).
Nominated for four MTV Australia Awards in 2007, Video of The Year, Best Female Artist, and Best Pop Video for "Ain't No Other Man"; Best Hook Up for "Tell Me" (with Diddy).
Nominated for two Premios Juventud Awards for Best Moves, Dynamic Duet with Ricky Martin (2004). Won one award for Favorite Hit, "Feel This Moment", with Pitbull (2013).
Won four Premios Lo Nuestro Awards for Pop New Artist, Pop Female Artist of The Year, Pop Album of The Year, "Mi Reflejo" (2001); Pop Female Artist of The Year (2002), and nominated for one award for Video of The Year, "Hoy Tengo De Ganas De Ti" with Alejandro Fernández (2014).
Won one NME Award for Worst Syle and was nominated for Sexiest Woman. [2003].
Nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance "Genio Atrapado" (2000) and Record of The Year "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti" (2001). Won Best Female Pop Vocal Album "Mi Reflejo" in 2001.
Won three World Music Awards for Best-Selling New Female Artist (2000), Best-Selling Female Latin Artist (2001), and Best Latin Album, "Lotus" (2014). From 2001-2014, she had received nine nominations for Best Female Artist, Best Live Act, Best Entertainer, Best Song and Best Video, "Your Body" and "Feel This Moment" (with Pitbull), and "Say Something" (with A Great Big World).
Won the Virgin Media Music Award for Best Comeback. [2011].
Aguilera's single "Haunted Heart" won the Rocket Pop Music Award for Best Original Song - Animated Movie (2019).
Lived in Grasmere, Staten Island, New York until her family moved to Texas.
Born at 10:46 AM (EST).
Trademarks:
Known for her powerful voice and her ability to sing acapella
Wears bright blue contact lenses, even though her eyes are already naturally blue (albeit a darker blue).
Platinum blonde hair and bright red lipstick
Wartime pinup/classic Hollywood glamour, as seen in such videos as "Ain't No Other Man", "Candyman" and "Hurt", as well as live performances prior to and following the release of her album "Back to Basics".
Quotes
There is no truth to the rumors that we hate each other. I have no ill feeling for [Britney Spears] and vice versa. I am proud of all the achievements she has made in her career, she is a very hard-working person. I have nothing but love for her.
[on Eminem's lyrics in "The Real Slim Shady" which contained sexual references about her] It's disgusting and offensive and above all it's not true.
[on singing the remake of "Lady Marmalade" with Pink, Mya and Lil' Kim] It's the closest I ever got to being in a girl group.
I like to be edgy, I like to be different. I'm a little bit of rebel.
[After winning an MTV Award for the video, "Lady Marmalade", shared with singers Mya, Pink and Lil' Kim] The big hair paid off!
It's funny how society places such strict standards upon young blonde females. We're supposed to play the clean-cut view the public wants of us. But I am not your little cookie-cutter virgin.
It's human nature to have a sexual side.
I think that whatever size or shape body you have, it's important to embrace it and get down! The female body is something that's so beautiful. I wish women would be proud of their bodies and not dis other women for being proud of theirs!
You can take it or leave it, but I'm not going to change, not for anyone.
It's been quite a roller-coaster ride, 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.
Hold your head high and sway your hips when you walk!
Power is making a statement about who you are.
My parents divorce and hard times at school, all those things combined to mold me, to make me grow up quicker. And it gave me the drive to pursue my dreams that I woundn't necessarily have had otherwise.
I have grown up now and have no need to dress like that anymore. I want my music to speak for me rather than the dress or lack of dresses I wore.
Confidence is the hugest thing - once you exude that, guys catch on.
[on why she wrote the song "I'm OK", which is her take on her father Fausto Aguilera's abusive behavior before her parents separated] It is such a hush-hush topic because it happens in the home. I definitely wrote that song not to badmouth him at all, but one, for a healing process for myself, and two, to give people hope or a voice to relate to. To know that you can get through it and that it will be okay.
Be a strong female - don't be afraid of the flack that goes along with that.
Obviously, all the positives are very flattering and being compared to [Mariah Carey], and I get a lot of [Britney Spears] comparisons as well, and she's extremely talented, but we are two different artists and even when I'm doing radio interviews and stuff they want to ask me very personal questions about her and you have to be a little protective of yourself and what you say because there are so many people wanting to get you to say things and pulling you in so many directions.
My inspiration, I've had many, again, starting with Julie Andrews at a young age. But growing up, I sang Whitney Houston songs in talent shows. But when I discovered Mariah Carey and "Vision of Love", that was a breath of fresh air and I adored her from that moment on and idolized her. It's really amazing that in articles I've been compared to her. It's truly unbelievable because, whenever I was younger, I would ask my mom, "Do you think I'll ever be as big and sing as well as Mariah Carey?" And now that it has happened, my mom says, "I knew it would happen.".
I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing clothes that covered my entire body.
[on her childhood] I never really had this father figure, which never bothered me. I had my mom, I had people that did love me and care for me.
[on not having her father to walk her down the aisle at her wedding] I'm a performer. I can totally walk myself down the aisle. I just realized it would be really nice to have that male protector in your life, to have felt that your entire life, and to have that one person give you away to the next man that's going to take care of you.
[on having kids with her husband of one year, Jordan Bratman] In five years time I'd probably like to start thinking about a child.
Scrapbooking - I just love it! I could sit on the floor for weeks and put together collages, keepsakes and photos."
[on Sade] When it comes to sexy, smooth, elegant R+B music, Sade IS the standard. I can't wait to hear her new work.
I felt caged by my childhood. And unsafe: Bad things happened in my home; there was violence. The Sound of Music (1965) looked like a form of release. I would open my bedroom window to sing out like Maria. In my own way, I'd be in those hills. Sometimes, I still feel like going to the window and singing out all my troubles.
[on her emotional state preceding the recording of "Stripped"] People betrayed me and I had a really hard time. That, along with what I'd been through with my family and my father and hard times at school meant I was knocked down. It was too much and I felt I'd been through the wringer - I was like a punch bag. I think talking to people is important and my family have helped me through it. I'd definitely be open to going to a therapist. I went when I was younger. But making this record ("Stripped") has been therapeutic. It's a tough record, it's personal and it's made me feel vulnerable. It's honest. Emotionally, I've laid myself bare - it's what's in my heart. I've been writing a lot of poems and I wanted to disappear from the public eye and live life for a minute. I didn't want to play it safe.
People spend money on beauty potions, but a good night's rest makes all the difference.
[on her fluctuating weight/weight gain and body] I've been on all spectrums. I've been in this (business) for a long time. I came out on the scene when I was 17 years old. You can never be too much of anything. You can never be too perfect, too thin, too curvy, voluptuous this, that. I've been on all sides of the spectrum as far as any female in this business. You got to be a strong, powerful, very confident woman. Women, we are definitely under a microscope and under massive scrutiny. As long as I am happy in my own skin, that is all the confirmation I need. I have a boyfriend that loves my body. I love my body, my son is healthy and happy and that is all that matters.
[on her fluctuating weight] I've been through my highs, I've been through my lows; I've been through the gamut of all things in this business. Being too thin. Being bigger. I've been criticized for being on both sides of the scale. It's noise I block out automatically.
I have certain physical features that I favor over others. We all have our areas. When I worked on Burlesque, I lost so much weight that I was too skinny. I don't weigh myself - it's all about how I feel in my clothes. What looks good on one person might not look good on another body type. I happen to be very confident in my own skin. It takes time to get to that place, but it's all about embracing yourself and your body.
It's hard not having the consistency of a partnership on a daily basis. It's a struggle. But I can't single out my ex-husband [as the problem] because he's a devoted father and great with my son. We always make sure that we put Max first. I have help from family and good people around me in support of my career. I couldn't do what I do without a strong team behind me.
I'm a Sagittarius, and I'm not big on, you know, setting and making and committing to every single plan in the calendar, in the schedule. You know, maybe because I was also given a schedule since I was such a little girl. I had to be on time for this and that, and other things, so it was just like, aaagh! Let me breathe, give me some room, you know, some space. You know, for me, I like to go with the flow. I love to be open to what the universe has in store for me, be open to listening to the signs, feeling my instinct and just, you know, I'm constantly on the journey and the path of growth. When I stop growing, then I'll probably be dead... because I think, you know, the fascination and the want to learn and the need to grow should always stay with you. There's always new adventures around the corner, places to go visit, places to explore, new cultures and things to take in, to draw inspiration from, new people. You know, I'm constantly taking up new things and trying to think outside the box here and there, and... you know, sometimes life throws curve balls, and you get set back, but it's all about getting back up and getting back in the game, and, you know, exploring what's new. So, do I know what's in the future, five, ten years from now? I have no idea, but I like it that way. All I do, all I *can* do, is focus on the here and now. Being happy is ultimately everything... and I never want to stop. I will never be happy meeting a goal and saying, "Okay, I reached my goal. That's it. I'm done." Never! I will always have that passion and that drive and that fire inside me to continue on, to grow, to learn more, to be a better artist, a different artist. How can I reinvent myself? It's all such a beautiful process, and I'm constantly open to it.
[on some people saying she is not Latina enough] I've dealt with that my whole life. I don't speak the language fluently. And I'm split right down the middle, half-Irish and half-Ecuadorian. I should not have to prove my ethnicity to anyone. I know who I am.
When my son Max looked at me and said, "Mommy, you look so pretty," was a mommy moment I will never forget.
I'd rather do what I love and get tomatoes thrown at me than get up there and be fake and get applause. I've got to be me.
When I sing, I believe it is the only time I can be myself and express all of me and who I am. I find a home in music, and I hope my music and my voice allows others to find a home as well. That's why this is so important to me and so special.
[Billboard interview, May 2018] To me, there's nothing like an amazing hip-hop beat. At the end of the day, I am a soul singer. When you strip back the words 'pop star' and the many things that I've done, singing soulfully is where my core, my root and my heart really is. And as you can see, it's what I'm inspired by.
[on defending her album Bionic] I can proudly say [Bionic] was ahead of its time, to be honest. It wasn't so commercialized. You had to really be a music lover, be a true fan of music and the love of being open to really appreciate that record. It's just a special piece in my body of work that will forever live on. The older the record gets the more people will come to appreciate it actually and check it out.
Trying too hard to be sexy is the worst thing you can do. Sexiness should be effortless.
[on battling Britney Spears, 2001] I hate the fact that people are obsessed with trying to put me against Britney. If we both released a record on the same day and one of us got to No. 1 before the other, it might be hard, but I'm sure we would be okay about it.
Sometimes in life things that happen to you, that are seemingly negative (at that time) can turn out to be a positive later in life.
Nothing is ever a setback. If anything, it just motivates you for what's next.
Everybody needs that one person that takes you to the right place to see all the positives in your life.
One of the things that I truly have had to learn, sometimes the hard way, but that I'd like to share with you is to trust your own instincts no matter what people might say about you, no matter what criticism or what negativity might come your way for just being who you are, and just being yourself, it's so important. Tonight is your night.
You are beautiful in every single way. Words can't bring you down.
It's important to recognize your own self-destructive behavior and be honest about it. You're only hurting yourself or losing out on your truth and happiness. I'm not afraid to face my own personal stuff. It's so important to dig it up and figure it out and move on.
I especially like to come on the show and really support women. We have it harder than anybody, having to walk in our high heels while these guys are wearing sneakers and boots. I get so jealous. But, my heart goes out to every girl that comes on here. I'm no stranger to criticism. That's just part of it. You're never going to be good enough, or just the right thing in everybody's eyes.
[on doing the movie Burlesque (2010), 2010] The sky is the limit. I'm just following where life takes me. It's been an incredible journey, thus far, and I know that this next chapter in my life, and doing this movie, opens up a whole new world of opportunity for me. I'm just excited to see where it goes.
[on being publicly fat shamed, 2012] I am Ecuadorian, but people felt so safe passing me off as a skinny, blue-eyed white girl. They (music executives) called this serious emergency meeting about how there was a lot of backlash about my weight. Basically, they told me I would affect a lot of people if I gained weight -the production, musical directors. I told them...'You are working with a fat girl. Know it now and get over it. My body can't put anyone in jeopardy of not making money anymore -my body is just not on the table that way anymore. They need a reminder sometimes that I don't belong to them. It's my body.
I think they say that when you're breast feeding, you know, your weight kind of slims down. It's a little easier. It's like a workout within itself. It's very tiring actually and you find yourself snacking more often.
