October 28, 2005
By Therese Owen
‘My hair is blonde and I'm in love and happy and carefree,” says Christina Aguilera when I ask her the colour of her hair. “Yeah I'm feeling so happy.”
This delicious diva, who someone once described as “looking like a fairy on crack” during her Lady Marmalade days, has taken time from recording to speak about her upcoming performances in South Africa as part of the massive Altech event which runs from November 4-11.
“I love having different looks and hairstyles. When I went black it was just a natural part of the process. I know it was extreme but I was feeling a little darker. But it's all fun in the end.”
Christina comes across as a highly professional person who is bubbly and extremely talkative. Her energy seems light. She appears to have a positive take on life and enjoys affirming herself.
Well, why not – she has a spectacular career that ensures top-selling albums, a body like that and as for her voice! When I first heard her I thought she was a mature black woman, not a 21-year-old white girl.
Now she has almost finished her next album.
“It's a throw back to the 1920s and 1930s. I have reinterpreted the look and the sound. My inspiration comes from artists like Billie Holliday, Eartha Kitt, Robbie Coltrane, you know those kinda soul singers. I have also taken influences from my favourite music, the blues, as well as jazz singers. This album is totally different. I re-invent myself with every album.
“When I was a new recording artist, the record company dictated what I had to do. But from my second album I unleashed every fantasy that I wanted to explore.”
(This included that very naughty video for Dirty from her Stripped album.)
Her stripper moves upped the ante for sexy dancing on music videos and pretty soon almost every female artist was doing da strip dancing
.
Christina has collaborated with many artists – Nelly, Missy Elliot, Alicia Keys and, of course, the girls from Lady Marmalade – Pink, Mya and Lil Kim. She totally outclassed them in the vocal department. Any collaborations coming up?
“I am not collaborating with anyone at the moment. I am in my own world. However, I did do one collaboration with Herbie Hancock. That was so amazing. I shall be performing it in South Africa.”
So what can South African fans expect from the diminutive diva?
“I'm bringing a live band, dancers. It's a high energy great show. It's escapism. For me the best part of my job is performing. I was born to perform. It's my place to shine. I get bored easily in the studio.
“I'm excited about this trip because it's my first time in Africa. I went to India and enjoyed it. I'm hoping to squeeze in some travel. I am also meeting Nelson Mandela, which is exciting because he is such an amazingly important man.”
Will you be going to a township?
“Um, a township? What's that?”
Well, Christina, Soweto is the most famous township.
“Hmm, Soweto, yeah, I'm going to Soweto. Is that how you say it So-whe-toe?” Yes dear. “Yeah, I'm going there to support the African Children's Feeding Scheme.”
Christina Aguilera's trip to SA includes a performance at the Night of the Stars on November 9 in aid of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, also featuring Westlife, Deborah Cox and Diana Ross as well as South African artists like Heinz Winkler and Danny K.
The following night she performs her own show at the Coca Cola Dome. I know on that night she is going to make me feel in love, happy and carefree. Can't wait.
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| | In trouble? Christina Aguilera's late-night skinnydipping antics are annoying her neighbours in Beverly Hills. Full story Photo: AFP |
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