Реферат: Christina Aguilera biography

In the two years from the day that she burst onto the world musicallandscape, Christina Aguilera has scored four #1 smash hit singles, watchedsales of her chart-topping RCA debut album surpass the 12 million markworldwide (23 million CDs and singles total sold to date), headlined the SuperBowl Half-Time Show, performed for the President, and to top it all off, tookhome two Grammys including one for Best New Artist,headlined a mammoth 2000 international tour, released a Spanish language album,and a holiday album of seasonal favorites. Christina Aguilera continues toprovide evidence that she is the premier musical voice of her generation.

Christina first began performing at age six in school talent shows andbecame known as the 'little girl with a big voice.' At age eight, she appearedon the nationally syndicated 'Star Search,' using her runner-up winnings to buya portable sound system so she could sing in the park. By the time she was 10,Christina was singing the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers andPenguins. And then, at twelve, she joined the ensemble cast of 'The New MickeyMouse Club,' appearing on the Orlando-based show along with future starsBritney Spears, J.C. and Justin of 'N Sync, and Keri Russell of 'Felicity.'After two years, the show ended and Christina got the opportunity to traveloverseas to further hone her musical skills. In 1997, Christina performed inplaces as far flung as <st1:place w:st=«on»><st1:City w:st=«on»>Tokyo</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st=«on»>Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place> (whereshe released a single with Keizo Nakanishi called'All I Wanna Do') and <st1:place w:st=«on»><st1:City w:st=«on»>Brasov</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st=«on»>Romania</st1:country-region></st1:place>, but always with her eye onthe same goal. 'I always wanted to have my own album recorded and releasedbefore I graduated high school,' says Christina. She certainly took quickstrides toward that goal.

In early 1998, after finishing some demos and shopping for a recorddeal, Christina auditioned to sing 'Reflection' for Disney's animated film 'Mulan.' The filmmakers needed someone 'who could hit a highE above middle C,' according to Christina, who then cut a one-take demo in herliving room singing to a karaoke tape of Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Run To You.' The demo was rushed to Disney, andwithin a day, Christina was in a <st1:City w:st=«on»><st1:place w:st=«on»>Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:City> studio recording 'Reflection.' That 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, withChristina performing it live on 'CBS This Morning' and the 'Donnie & MarieShow.' 'Working on the 'Mulan' project was sounbelievable,' Christina said in June 1998. 'I seriously thought I wouldn't getthe job because the song was so difficult. It's so cool to hear your voice in atheater.' The single went on to garner a Golden Globe Nomination for BestOriginal Song in a Motion Picture and Christina the attention of some of thebest writers and producers in the industry.

On her self-titled debut album for RCA, those writers and producershelped Christina showcase her special talents. 'I was thrilled to work with somany great writers and producers on my album," says Christina. 'What A GirlWants' was produced by Guy Roche (Brandy, <st1:place w:st=«on»>Cher</st1:place>, Dru Hill, Aaliyah, K-Ci & Jo Jo), 'Genie In A Bottle' was produced by ex-System memberDavid Frank and Steve Kipner, and 'Blessed' waspenned and produced by Travon Potts (co-writer ofMonica's chart topping 'Angel of Mine'). Meanwhile, Carl Sturkenand Evan Rogers ('N Sync, Boyzone, Brand New Heavies)contributed a pair of tracks, the soul-flavored 'Love For All Seasons' and therousing '<st1:Street w:st=«on»><st1:address w:st=«on»>Love Will Find A Way</st1:address></st1:Street>.'Christina is particularly proud of the album's ballads, such as the MatthewWilder-produced 'Reflection,' and 'Obvious' written by newcomer Heather Holly,and of course, master tunesmith Diane Warren's smash 'I Turn To You.'

Christina Aguilera's breakthrough year in '99 began with her first #1single 'Genie In A Bottle,' which stayed atop the charts for five consecutiveweeks and rocketed the album to #1 upon its release in August 1999. Thefollow-up single 'What A Girl Wants' reached the coveted first Billboard Hot100 #1 slot of 2000 (the first #1 hit of the new millenium)and helped to push the album into platinum territory many times over ('Come OnOver Baby' became the third #1 from the album later in 2000).

Among other honors, along with stars like Jodie Foster and ArethaFranklin, Christina was named one of the most fascinating women of 1999 on the'Ladies Home Journal' CBS-TV special earlier this year. Christina also won1999's Best New Artist at this year's ALMA Awards, the annual event honoringthe best in entertainment from the Hispanic-American community. She graced thecovers of many national magazines, including Entertainment Weekly, Teen Peopleand Latina and performed as a musical guest on 'Saturday Night Live,' 'TheTonight Show with Jay Leno,' 'The Rosie O'Donnell Show,' and was the onlyfemale guest performer on VHI's 'Men Strike Back.'She also performed on other TV specials such as 'The Essence Awards,' 'DisneySummer Jams,' and 'People Magazines's 25 HottestStars Under 25.'

Other highlights for Christina over 1999 included a duet with blueslegend BB King and a solo performance of 'The Christmas Song' for PresidentClinton on TNT's 'Christmas at the White House' TV special. This led to thePresident asking Christina to sing the first song on his televised Millenium special from <st1:State w:st=«on»><st1:place w:st=«on»>Washington</st1:place></st1:State>. Christina had to decline due toa prior commitment to perform from <st1:place w:st=«on»>Times Square</st1:place>in <st1:State w:st=«on»><st1:place w:st=«on»>New York</st1:place></st1:State>on MTV's New Year's Eve broadcast.

Christina's amazing new year of 2000 began with a great duet performancewith Enrique Iglesias at the Super Bowl Half TimeShow which also featured Phil Collins and Toni Braxton.

What made all her commercial success so much sweeter, were Christina'stwo Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocalperformance. In February 2000, Christina's incredible ride to the top reachednew heights as Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge and Sara McLaughlanannounced that the Grammy for Best New Artist goes to — Christina Aguilera! 'Itwas an incredible shock for me,' Christina recalls of that amazing night. 'Iwas completely unprepared. My album had been out the least amount of timecompared to everyone else, so I thought there was no way I'd win. But I wasoverwhelmed, shocked and overjoyed all at the same time.'

As for her national summer 2000 tour, co-sponsored by Sears and Levi's,Christina was equally enthusiastic. 'It was exciting to take my full band andmy dancers out on the road,' she says, 'and giving the show an edgy, theatricalvibe. I was in on all the creative aspects of planning the show, of coveringnew ground, doing more blues, soul, and some spectacular choreography.'

Christina recorded a Spanish language album 'Mi Reflejo'released in fall 2000 and a seasonal album ready in time for the holidays. SaidChristina, 'I've always been proud of my Ecuadoran heritage.Recording a Spanish album and working with a great producer like Rudy Perez,gave me a chance to explore my Latin side.' As for the Christmas album,Christina was excited about performing with a 70-piece orchestra and theopportunity to record both new and traditional holiday tracks. 'I did a duetwith Dr. John on 'Merry Christmas Baby,' she notes, 'and several new popChristmas songs with a real R&B edge.'

In March 2001, Christina collaborated with Ricky Martin on 'Nobody WantsTo Be Lonely' that peaked at number 11 on Billboard charts, and became aworldwide international hit.

Christina also proved that she can work with other divas, as she did inthe remake of 'Lady Marmalade,' from the 'Moulin Rouge' soundtrack which spentfive weeks at #1. Teamed with Pink, Mya and Lil' Kim, their video took home the 2001 MTV Video Awardfor 'Best Video of the Year' (among many awards the record received). She alsoappeared on the All-Star Tribute remake of Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On?,'with a star-studded cast including Bono and Nelly Furtado.

She capped off an amazing 2001 by winning her second Grammy for BestFemale Pop Vocal Album for 'Mi Reflejo.'

Billboard Magazine recently wrote about her great prospects for a longfuture:

'Christina Aguilera's much anticipated sophomore album is likely to be ahit with the critics and crowds alike. Boasting an edgier sound andself-written lyrics, this CD should end comparisons between Aguilera andbubblegum queen Britney Spears.

It's been two years since the release of Aguilera's self-titled debutdisc — which was home to #1 hits like 'Genie In A Bottle,' 'What A Girl Wants'and 'Come On Over Baby.' This former Mousketeer hasrisen to a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum pop powerhouse.

In the time since her entrance into the music world, Aguilera has provensuccessful in both the English and Latin fields. Aguilera has worked with someof the biggest names in the industry including BB King, Brian McKnight, Sting,Ricky Martin and most recently Pink, Mya and Lil Kim on their #1 smash 'Lady Marmalade.' Notbad fora 20-year old.

The outlook is very good for her newest record. She has expanded herhorizons musically and gained new and excited fans. There's nowhere for thisyoung and talented beauty to go except up.'

With fans ranging beyond the teen market, Christina has shown that this'Genie in a Bottle' has been released — and is soaring.

'This (new) record is extremely personal,' Christina recently told Timemagazine. 'It's so personal that I feel like people from my past will say 'Ohmy God, she's singing this to me.' I have a lot of things to say and a lot ofthings to let out of me. I feel like I was very confined in that first recordto be very pop-driven. I want to be a poet and have a chance to explore that andlet people know what's really on my mind.'

Over all, Christina Aguilera is as overwhelmed as she is thrilled by herenormous success, but she remains reflective and grateful. 'It's been quite aroller-coaster ride,' she laughs, 'But I think I've grown and learned a lotabout myself. In this business, it's often all about hype, record sales, and acrazy schedule of traveling, performances, and it can be easy to get lost inall that. But for me, the greatest thing is being able to interact with fansand touch peoples' lives. I know that's a greater accomplishment than sellingrecords. For that I give thanks. I simply love the job I'm doing.'

So do all of Christina's fans.

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