CHRISTINA AGUILERA

Christina Maria Aguilera, was born in 1980, in Staten Island, New York, of Irish and Ecuadorian descent, and travelled extensively around the world with her family, before finally settling in Wexford, Philadelphia. Aguilera began performing at school talent shows, before making her first professional appearance at the age of eight on the national Star Search show. She then joined the Disney Channel's variety show 'The Mickey Mouse Club' at the age of 12, appearing alongside future pop stars Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and JC Chasez.

In early 1998, Aguilera recorded "Reflection" for the soundtrack of Disney's full-length animation Mulan. This recording led to her signing a contract with RCA Records during the same week, and "Reflection" was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for "Best Original Song" in the same year. Her rapid ascent to stardom continued when her debut album was recorded with a host of leading songwriters and producers, catapulting "Genie In A Bottle" straight to the top of the US charts in 1999. Staying at the top for 5 weeks, the track was the biggest selling US single of the year, and sold over eight million copies in the US alone.

The album entered the US album chart at number 1 in September, and a month later "Genie In A Bottle" topped the UK singles chart as well. Proving herself a genuine rival for the Spears' teen pop crown Aguilera then returned to the top of the US charts in January 2000 with "What A Girl Wants", and again in October with "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)". Not long afterwards she won the "Best New Artist" award at the 2000 Grammy Awards, and was nominated for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for "Genie in a Bottle".

Later in 2000 Aguilera emphasized her Latino heritage by releasing her first Spanish album, 'Mi Reflejo'. This album contained Spanish versions of songs from her English debut as well as new Spanish tracks. It reached number one on the US Latin album charts, and in 2001 it won Aguilera a Latin Grammy Award for "Best Female Pop Vocal Album".

The following summer she enjoyed a transatlantic chart-topper with a cover version of Patti LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade", recorded with Lil" Kim, Mya and Pink for the soundtrack of the movie Moulin Rouge. The track stayed at number one on the US charts for five weeks and reached number one in eleven other countries, earning all four performers a 2002 Grammy Award for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".

Although Aguilera's debut album was very well-received, she was dissatisfied with the music and image her management had created for her, and wanted to control the direction her follow up album would take. And she certainly managed that - returning in 2001 Christina "Stripped" down her image, breaking free from the mass media mask of pop princess, and introduced us all to the "Dirrty" girl beneath the perfect packaging.

Initially, the raunchy image had a negative effect in the U.S. While the video for "Dirrty" became a huge hit on MTV, it disappointed on the U.S. singles chart. However, the single was a huge hit worldwide, reaching number one in several countries. The album reached the top five of the UK, and U.S. album charts, and the second single, "Beautiful", became a huge radio hit. 'Stripped' stayed on the U.S. and UK album charts until well into 2004, and went on to sell over twelve million copies worldwide

And now with two Grammy awards, a marathon round of world touring, and millions of albums under her belt, the newly married Christina has returned with a brand new sound and style. For her latest metamorphosis she has polished up her act, put the chaps back in the closet, and is harking back to the glamour of days long gone, but definitely not forgotten.

So "come on over" to MTV, as we show you "what a girl wants", and make Miss Aguilera our MTV European Artist Of The Week.

HH