Xtina’s Effect

Looking back at the early 2000s, it's evident how much the pop icons, music videos, and styles of that era have shaped today's music scene.

James Devaney/Wireimage/Getty Images via Hypebae

Christina Aguilera, who debuted as a teenager 25 years ago, stood out as a major figure in a decade that redefined pop music, particularly for young women. Throughout her career, Aguilera showcased a strong sense of freedom, especially in her approach to sexuality. Her contemporaries, such as Britney Spears, experienced a more challenging transition from child stars to adulthood, facing greater scrutiny in navigating their image.

In her early days, Christina Aguilera's major hit "Genie in a Bottle" captured the quintessential late-90s sound. At the tender age of 17, she sang about the desire for genuine connection and respect, with lyrics that subtly explored themes of boundaries and self-love. This song, while pop-driven, also highlighted her powerful and soulful vocals, demonstrating an exceptional vocal range and control that set her apart from her peers.

A highlight from her early albums was Aguilera’s embrace of her Hispanic heritage, most notably through the release of her full Spanish-language album, Mi Reflejo. This album featured some of her hits reimagined in Spanish, a practice that was relatively uncommon at the time. The effort garnered significant recognition in Spain and Latin America, resonating deeply with her Spanish-speaking audience. Many Spanish fans still fondly remember tracks like "Genio atrapado" and "Ven conmigo", even more than their English counterparts.

A few years later, Christina Aguilera introduced one of her most iconic and memorable eras: Stripped. This pop cultural reset marked her transition into a bold new persona, characterized by her blonde hair with dark highlights, piercings, tattoos, and revealing outfits, all of which contributed to her rebranding. The alter ego 'Xtina' was born during this period, representing a significant departure from her earlier image and embracing a more unapologetic and liberated self-expression.

Besides the sexy tone of the album, Stripped also featured one of the most heartfelt songs of Christina Aguilera’s career, “Beautiful”. This track became a self-acceptance anthem, resonating deeply with marginalized communities and offering a powerful message of inner strength and confidence. However, some of the videos released during this time sparked controversies, prompting conservative audiences to call for their removal due to their bold themes and visuals. This era remains memorable, with some of Christina Aguilera’s outfits even being imitated by other celebrities, such as Kylie Jenner, who wore one as a Halloween costume. Despite not being immune to criticism, Aguilera significantly contributed to the exploration of sexuality among female artists through her performances. This particular era is what solidified her status as an icon today.

Another bold transformation followed with the album Back to Basics, which showcased a full-fledged vintage diva image. This album (and this era) drew heavily from the 1920s and 1930s, incorporating elements of jazz, blues, and soul. The song “Candy Man” was even inspired by the Andrews Sisters, a popular American girl group from that era.

To mark her 25th anniversary, Christina Aguilera released a Spotify Special showcasing some of her hits. For “What a Girl Wants”, she teamed up with rising star Sabrina Carpenter. Before the performance, Carpenter shared how Christina's 1998 rendition of 'Sunday Kind of Love' inspired her to pursue a singing career. Aguilera also reflected on her early career, noting that she had less creative freedom on her debut album. She explained, “I was still exploring who I wanted to be as an artist. Without this first album, I wouldn't be able to do Stripped.”

From a pop culture perspective, the conversation coupled with their iconic performance offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the evolution of pop music and the lasting qualities that define a true icon. As they share their insights, experiences, and mutual admiration, we are reminded of the timeless power of music to connect people across generations.