Christina Aguilera - 25th anniversary of the vocal bible

[HolidayGuy]

What does looking great have to do with chart success? I don't think necessarily much, as others look great (or have) and have struggled, commercially. And on the flip side, others whose bodies do not fit the typical thought process of what's "hot" have done well.

There's just other stuff with her that, I think, that may have turned people off. And it's at a point now that, there may not be much else she can do to change that. But, a good, solid track, without wailing (like "Say Something," but not necessarily slow), may be able to perform respectably.

[Luckie Starchild]

^^ Hey Holiday Guy -- I've noticed that you have a very "glass half empty" outlook... 2013 was a good year for Christina and I think your New Year's resolution should be to look at things from a more positive perspective... I think you could do really well with that!

[Juanca]

Jan 4, 2014 10:55:26 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

What does looking great have to do with chart success? I don't think necessarily much, as others look great (or have) and have struggled, commercially. And on the flip side, others whose bodies do not fit the typical thought process of what's "hot" have done well.

There's just other stuff with her that, I think, that may have turned people off. And it's at a point now that, there may not be much else she can do to change that. But, a good, solid track, without wailing (like "Say Something," but not necessarily slow), may be able to perform respectably.

Well it depends ;)
Kelly Clarkson singing I Do Not Hook Up felt like a joke for many (sure girl, it's obvious why you don't hook up!). Xtina singing about Your Body while hers was becoming more voluptuous and then having the cover of lotus showing so much skin of a quite obvious photoshopped body did not help either.
But yeah, Adele proved you can have some extra weight and be successful... But that's not the norm in pop music unfortunately. Add to that the fact that Xtina's make up made her look like a trashy clownish ho didn't help either.
Image is important in pop.

I've loved Xtina on the voice this season though. Her attitude towards the contestants have also changed people's perceptions of her as a cold bitch... And that also helps. The fact she's looked gorgeous helped too. And even more, her performances have been great. Fierceness, confidence, energy, dancing. She showed star power, which she was lacking a bit in her previous eras.
I'm with LPL here too: I want a solid Xtina album. I think bionic was almost there. She had great songs, she put Sia on the spotlight and played with more progressive sounds but something got in the middle and cut the flow of the album.
I think Xtina now has what it takes for a comeback. She needs to be careful with song choices and vocal delivery though. I'm fine with her occasional growling but please don't reach high notes where the growl breaks and weakness is revealed! That doesn't sound good (eg the DWUW remix high note). However her delivery in the M Jackson medley was good. Her tone in SS and Hoy tengo ganas de ti is divine!

Really rooting for her!!

[HolidayGuy]

Luckie, I don't know if it's "glass half empty," but I think it's good to have outlooks from all perspectives. :) I've seen too many times, where some have unrealistic expectations or they don't consider anything but what they hope for- and you know what? They end up disappointed when things they hope for do not happen. Hence, why I look at/present all perspectives. :)

Juan- image is important in pop, but perhaps less so, especially these days, for acts who have been around for a while. It's not going to be a make-or-break factor for Aguilera. Like, people aren't going to all of a sudden start buying her music because she's found a decent stylist.

[Luckie Starchild]

^^ Oh indeed, it's important to be realistic and consider different points of view and diverse perspectives but as Winston Churchill once said, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

Positive change in the world comes from positive thinking! :)

[Juanca]

Jan 4, 2014 12:57:35 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

Luckie, I don't know if it's "glass half empty," but I think it's good to have outlooks from all perspectives. :) I've seen too many times, where some have unrealistic expectations or they don't consider anything but what they hope for- and you know what? They end up disappointed when things they hope for do not happen. Hence, why I look at/present all perspectives. :)

Juan- image is important in pop, but perhaps less so, especially these days, for acts who have been around for a while. It's not going to be a make-or-break factor for Aguilera. Like, people aren't going to all of a sudden start buying her music because she's found a decent stylist.

Correct
Still, for example Gimme More could've been a hit but the mix of a chubBritney plus a wacko live performance affected it. Not all about image, but I think it has some effect even in established artists. It's not only that of course, but a confluence of image and music is important I think - I mean people don't buy seXtina for different reasons, but it was even worse when she looked like an inflatable doll with extra air

[kc98]

Feel This Moment, The Voice, her weight loss, and Say Something have really contributed to a great setup for the start of her next era. She really has potential to have another solo hit and decent sales.

[Mack]

Jan 4, 2014 10:55:26 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

...on the flip side, others whose bodies do not fit the typical thought process of what's "hot" have done well.

What overweight female pop artist - besides Adele, who is obviously the exception, not the rule - has achieved any substantial success in recent years? Look at all of the "main" pop girls: Britney, Gaga, Katy, Miley, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, etc....all of them are in great shape. Even the lower tier artists such as Ke$ha, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Nicki Minaj, and Avril Lavigne are thin. The only non-Adele exception I can think of is Kelly Clarkson, and during her most successful album era she was - conveniently! - the skinniest she's ever been.

Look, any person who thinks that Christina's weight loss isn't going to play a role in her potential "comeback" is utterly delusional. Almost every article or story I've seen about her this year has mentioned it, and always in a positive way. And, like it or not, there are tons of people out there who will be more willing to support her now that she's hot again as opposed to a year ago when she was at her heaviest. That's just the way it is.

[HolidayGuy]

^That is one opinion- I guess we will see how it plays out. :) Fact is, Aguilera has been in great shape in the past- as have a number of the acts you mentioned. And, note that even during their "thin eras," a number of the girls have struggled commercially. My point is that it's not a be-all, end-all factor in how a track or album will perform.

[Hefty Hanna]

It's definitely odd to say that the way an artist looks doesn't have anything to do with their success or lack thereof. Not only is it marketing but it's human nature. John F. Kennedy became President of the United States due in part by the televised debates against Nixon. People saw him and he looked like the president. We subconsciously support or like people (or the opposite) because of the way that they look whether we realize it or not. It's a scientific fact.

Sure, the quality of the music is probably the most important thing (i.e. 21, Ed Sheeran's +, etc.) but a good, sleek image sure doesn't hurt.

[Deleted]

^To add to Hefty Hanna's post, image does matter, too much unfortunately, but I wouldn't say it's as simplistic as "she's fat, so she's probably not going to do well/now she's skinny, so this era is going to go great!" I think Adele's image worked with the songs she was singing; Adele always looked polished during the 21 era and I think that really helped give her an air of sophistication to go along with the 'serious artist' impression that people have of her. I also think Kelly's weight during the AIEW era was not a hindrance to MLWSWY or "Already Gone." But a female less than svelte and model-perfect is almost guaranteed to have a bunch of jokes at her expense if she puts out a song titled "I Do Not Hook Up" or "Love/f**k Your Body," b/c society has us conditioned to laugh at the idea that a chub could be attractive enough to make such a confident declaration as those two songs did. The general message is that it's okay to be chunky as long as your songs are completely devoid of sexuality, with IDNHU being the example of just how little we will tolerate even a passing hint at it. Well unless you have balls - then you can be a rapper and it's totally okay. *Rick Ross grunts*

Of course image can't be looked at in isolation; Christina has had other issues that she needs to overcome if she's to have even a moderate comeback. I still think she's capable of it, she just needs to pull her act together and keep it together long enough for people to be interested.

[pnobelysk]

While jordin Sparks was fat by any means she had some wait on her when she had the three hits off her debut album

[It's me, bitch.]

Whats her current sales per album?

[lookinghot]

Jan 5, 2014 1:43:05 GMT -5 pnobelysk said:

While jordin Sparks was fat by any means she had some wait on her when she had the three hits off her debut album

So? Jordin burst on the scene as a chubster, Christina definitely didn't.

[surfy]

I really hope she has another hit, she's one of my favorite 90's early 2000's artists, and she deserves another (It would especially help shutting up people who are still commenting about how Lotus flopped!)

[SHOOTER]

Jan 5, 2014 3:47:44 GMT -5 It's me, bitch. said:

Whats her current sales per album?

Christina Aguilera: 9.1m

Mi Reflejo: 485k

My Kind of Christmas: 992k

Just Be Free: 128k

Stripped: 4.3m

Back to Basics: 1.7m

Keeps Getting Better: 496k

Bionic: 310k

Lotus: 247k

[Caviar]

Burlesque 620k

[Love Plastic Love]

I mean obviously looks matter and if anyone is saying otherwise they are not familiar with the pop world. However, just being thin and hot isn't enough either. I do think it will be easier for her now that she is thin again though. I started seeing so many people talking about her "slaying" when the only difference was her losing weight lol.

[Wolfy]

Jan 5, 2014 16:06:01 GMT -5 SHOOTER said:

Jan 5, 2014 3:47:44 GMT -5 It's me, bitch. said:

Whats her current sales per album?

Christina Aguilera: 9.1m

Mi Reflejo: 485k

My Kind of Christmas: 992k

Just Be Free: 128k

Stripped: 4.3m

Back to Basics: 1.7m

Keeps Getting Better: 496k

Bionic: 310k

Lotus: 247k

Are those only US numbers?

[Caviar]

Yes

[Deleted]

I know people like to drag on Christina and say her career is over and such. Lord knows, even as a longtime fan, I know she's brought a lot of the criticism upon herself.

I'm really glad to see she's keeping herself out there and seems to have her mojo back again.

While I'n not holding my breath for another solo, as long as she's still out there and releasing material, I'm happy.

God knows, most people counted Christina out, and she came back strong once again.

I'm happy for her, and she's always been one of my favorites. This woman always has surprises up her sleeve, and she's one who always bounces back. Love her.

[SHOOTER]

Jan 5, 2014 18:21:22 GMT -5 Wolfy said:

Jan 5, 2014 16:06:01 GMT -5 SHOOTER said:

Christina Aguilera: 9.1m

Mi Reflejo: 485k

My Kind of Christmas: 992k

Just Be Free: 128k

Stripped: 4.3m

Back to Basics: 1.7m

Keeps Getting Better: 496k

Bionic: 310k

Lotus: 247k

Are those only US numbers?

Total sales (WW included):

Christina Aguilera: 26m

Mi Reflejo: 3.4m

My Kind of Christmas: 1m

Just Be Free: 128k

Stripped: 12m

Back to Basics: 4.5m

Keeps Getting Better: 675k

Bionic: 600k

Burlesque: 700k

Lotus: 300k

[surfy]

I'm a big fan of Christina, but I don't like the Do What U Want remix with her... :'(

[Luckie Starchild]

Jan 6, 2014 12:53:53 GMT -5 @carrieflattsfan said:

God knows, most people counted Christina out, and she came back strong once again.

But who has always said you can never count Christina out?

Oh yeah... ME, that's who!

[Caviar]

Christina Helps the WFP Raise $37,000,000

[Caviar]

Christina's skit with 2 Broke Girls yesterday on the PCA's.

[dbhmr]

Jan 4, 2014 14:51:51 GMT -5 Mack said:

Jan 4, 2014 10:55:26 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

...on the flip side, others whose bodies do not fit the typical thought process of what's "hot" have done well.

What overweight female pop artist - besides Adele, who is obviously the exception, not the rule - has achieved any substantial success in recent years? Look at all of the "main" pop girls: Britney, Gaga, Katy, Miley, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, etc....all of them are in great shape. Even the lower tier artists such as Ke$ha, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Nicki Minaj, and Avril Lavigne are thin. The only non-Adele exception I can think of is Kelly Clarkson, and during her most successful album era she was - conveniently! - the skinniest she's ever been.

Look, any person who thinks that Christina's weight loss isn't going to play a role in her potential "comeback" is utterly delusional. Almost every article or story I've seen about her this year has mentioned it, and always in a positive way. And, like it or not, there are tons of people out there who will be more willing to support her now that she's hot again as opposed to a year ago when she was at her heaviest. That's just the way it is.

Agreed, but I think the more important thing is gaining weight, not necessarily being heavier. Adele got a lot of accolades for sticking to her body type, and it went with her general image. Had Christina started out fat, who knows what would have happened to her career, but it seems to me the public is incredibly unforgiving of women that put on weight, more so than women who are just a bit heavier/curvier to begin with (Adele, Jennifer Hudson, Natalie Maines, Miranda Lambert). I think being thin is obviously a benefit, but the backlash seems greater when it's a weight gain rather than just being a bit bigger when you're introduced to the general public.

[Deleted]

Any female artist has to pay attention to her appearance in the entertainment industry, whether she's an actress, singer, model, etc.

I think Christina has always received scrutiny because she deliberately chose to put her sexuality at the forefront; she's always been extremely vocal and spoken positively about the role of sexuality in her music\image.

It's unfortunately not surprising Christina received more hate at her heaviest, because her sexuality is such an important part of her image. I think people were more cruel to Christina because she's so open about sexuality, yet it was hard to imagine someone who didn't appear to care about her image/body at all for awhile. Perhaps her past overtly sexual image made her an easy target for when she chose to let herself go a little bit.

With Christina, it seems to me like she's certainly more confident and happier when she is thinner and can convey that young, sexy image she seems to favor. I think it shows in image, body language, and music when she's feeling happy and confident about herself again, and that could be noticeable to the public as well.

Christina seems to be ready to deliver when she has a fresh image to match a new era.

It's clear with the success of SS that she could find some support in the future. I think a lot of people would get behind softer songs from Christina, too.

[gbaby]

"Sing For Me" is still perfection. Absolutely love it.

[HolidayGuy]

26m for the debut album seems a *tad* high, no? It's not even certified for 2 million in Europe- so if that were 2m at best, you get 10-11m from the USA and UK- 15m from other territories?