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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Her willingness to get down and "dirrty" in her pop videos is well-documented but Christina Aguilera is no bimbo: she talks to Attitude about sexuality, freedom of expression, the foibles of showbusiness, and how loved up she is with her new husband.
Interview Simon Gage

"You're still dirty, aren't you?" I say to Christina Aguilera as she sits opposite me in a darkened bar in one of Londons swishier hotels in a black dress cut up to her and down to there.She just gives me a sort of "Thank You!" smile; within the first five minutes of our conversation shes already said something about "big boys".
Shaking Christinas hand is like shaking a child's - but that really is as far as you can go with such analogies. At 5ft nothing, she is all woman - as has been proved in beyond-the-call-of-duty videos for Dirrty, Lady Marmalade and the first single off her Back to Basics double album Ain't no other man. Channelling Jean Harlowe - with white hair and skin and lips the colour of a strawberry solero - Christina is smart and chatty and knows exactly how she wants everything to go: no only the interview (if she doesn't want to answer a question she'll say so), but the album and probably the rest of her life. She is sorted to an almost frightening degree. And let's face it, she has every excuse in the world to be ****ed up.
She spent her early years living with her abusive army father in Staten Island, New York, before her parents separated and she went to live with her mother. She started out in showbusiness at the age of eight, becoming a household name in the US before she was into a training bra...on paper it's a recipe for disaster of Neverland proportions. But segueing from The Mickey Mouse Club into a proper, sexy growm up popstar (with no school uniforms, take note) and then getting married - to Jordan Bratman a record executive, not to one of her backing dancers - Christina is wise far beyond her 25 years, with the sort of spunk and determinationwe've only really seen in one blonde popstar before. Madonna. Could this be the heir to the throne we've been waiting for?

So where did the whole Burlesque thing on the new album come from?
I really wanted to go back to a place where i'm truly inspired musically and that's the elements of old blues, jazz and soul music. Certain time periods that really excite me are the 20's 30's and 40's specifically. Visually, you had your Marlene Dietrich's, your old Hollywood glamsters, Josephine Baker, Marylin and Jean Harlowe - all these amazing people.

Is it the sexy thing aswell?
Well, you know, it's important for me to always throw in an element of sexuality to what i do. Just because, as women, it's really difficult for us to feel we can express ourselves as freely as we like sometimes. There are so many restrictions, rules and regulations put upon women to be a certain way and act a certain way. That's why i'm always trying to be as open and expressive as i can because that's my comfort place. I feel empowered whenever i.....

Take your clothes off?
[Laughs a "Naughty boy" sort of Laugh] A lot of people misconstrue things whenever sexuality is involved. For me it's a lot deeper than that.

It's quite a powerful sexuality, in your case, isn't it? It's not baby doll.
It's very empowering for me and also it's just fun as a female to play dress-up. I was actually inspired by Eartha Kitt's Champagne Taste and a Mae West kind of attitude of "Come here big boy".

So have you done nipple tassles?
Erm...[laughs]... in the privacy of my own bedroom!

Can you twirl them in different directions, because, honey that's the key.
[Laughs] I haven't spent too much time with them. But it's a fun place to go. And Jordan's going, "More! more!" We always have fun together and we always keep it open.

Do you care what people think about you?
I try not to. Doing what i do there are so many judgements being thrown at you all the time, but there comes a point when you have to block it out and do what's right for you. I don't change myself base upon what other people's opinions are of me. I think that's really important: for everyone to be free ro express how they feel.

The video for Beautiful must have got you a lot of flak in America: they're not keen on seeing gay boys kissing are they?
I got more flak for Dirrty than i did for Beautiful - because whatever level you heard that song on, you could relate to it. But regarding my creative decisions, i don't really care. Also in my personal life, i live the way i see fit.

Were you out to upset people with Beautiful?
I wanted to target things that a lot of people aren't very open-minded to; i wanted that video to be about how everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin, regardless of what people think.

I know young gay guys coming out who have said that it changed the way they felt about themselves.
That's beautiful. Ohh, i love hearing that. If i can empower people to feel more comfortable in their own skins by me exploring different avenues, then i've done my job. I've done something good, you know.

Have you seen, [TV and film actress] Sandra Bernhard sings it in her show?
Really! That's really cool.

So do you know gay people?
Of course i do! [Laughing as if to say, "What a funny question!"] But when i meet someone new i never see your sexual prefernce. Those things for me are so meaningless. We're all comingfrom the same place. We all want to be loved and like to feel special. I have many friends who are outwardly gay and i can appreciate that because they go against the grain a lot in soceity. They're constantly pushing to be heard and given equal rights. I think theres a lot fo unfairness that goes along with being gay and so the more i can ever give that a voice, then i'll do so.

Americans are in a very strange place at the moment about the whole gay thing when civil partnerships are taking off everywhere else...

They are. They are. But i think at the same time we'd be fooling ourselves if we thought that everywhere was accepting of gay rights and gay marriage. I think that it's really unfair that there had to be some kind of standard for marriage. Marriage should be about celebrating two peoples love for each other. It shouldn't have anything to do with someones sexual preference. Europe is a lot more open when it comes to sexuality. I think that with the history of european culture, there is a lot more openness to being provocative. I'm just all about no judgment and [having] equal rights.

Speaking of marriage. How's married life treating you?
[beams contentedly]Good. Really good. You know when its the right person... It's just a beautiful place right now. I was in a much heavier place during the recording of Stripped.

Not as happy?
You could say that. Just heavier emotionally. Being thrown into this business at a very young age and also being female you have to be stronger and tougher and learn things much harder. You have to face being taken advantage of. I've trusted people before and that have really hurt me and during the recording of the Stripped album, i think a lot of the pain of that was surfacing. I grew up in a household where domestic violence happened and i never really felt safe in my home enviroment...

Was that ever directed at you?
At my mum, mainly. When it started against us she had the courage to leave because she didn't want that cycle to happen. But things like that: traumatic experiences at a realy young age, weigh heavy on you throughout your life. It's a constant healing process. I hadn't ever realy had a strong father figure in my life. Jordan coming into my life... we've grown a lot together and when you have someone who acts as your backbone and best friends...it's very important and it's just enabled me to be a better version of myself.

Were you always the marrying kind?
I never really concerned myself with it. I mean if you'd asked me on the last record if i thought i would be married by my next album, i'd have been like, "No! Are you kidding?" I think the abuse also instilled in me the constant need to suceed and to always feel strong and to never back down in the face of anything.

Does that make you a nightmare to live with?
No, i can be very comforting in the sense that if you need someone strong-minded... I like people that know what they want. I like people who have a good sense of who they are and live life as they see fit for themselves, you know? That's what attracted me strongly to Jordan: he's such a secure person within himself.

It must have been hard for him taking on such a sexual firecracker. Doesn't he mind you putting it out there?
No, i mean if he did, i wouldn't be with him.

He's OK about you taking your pants off for a magazine cover?
[Laughs] He knew the photographer very well.

We're loving this picture of you with the sailors
Oh, cute, cute, cute. That was great. Ellen Von Unwerth. Just tongue in cheek with sexuality and a very kind of burlesque feel. The sailors were all swedish actually. Very fun boys. We had a good laugh and a beer. But with Jordan, he always says, "You look hot, i don't mind people looking at you like that because at the end of the day you're coming home to me." It's true and it takes a cery strong man to feel secure. I mean, we started dating at the beginning of Dirrty and all that, so he'sknown that it's a very strong part of who i am, being in touch with sexuality and not being afraid to express it. If anything he just backs it 100 per cent, he always gives me the attitude that if you've got it, flaunt it!

You're very young to have such a sexual attitude; usually that comes in your 30's
Thank You!


I read that you like looking at pictures of women in a sexy way?
[Laughs] I do! I think that women are really beautiful beings and i think that sometimes the sight of a naked female can be more arousing to me than a man, in all honesty.

Does it have to be a certain type of picture? Does it have to be tasteful or can it be out there?
[Laughs] I think you're going a bit too far. That's for my own knowing! Sexuality is sexuality. I think that we should all be free to enjoy what we enjoy. We like what we like.

Have you ever experimented?
That's for me to know.

That's not a "no" is it?
[Laughing] That's for me to know.

Do you like seeing pictures of naked men?
It depends on the naked man.

There's a song on the new album called Still Dirrty...
I wrote it because in America a lot of press were saying how i've changed and how i've given up being provocative because of this new found love in my flie and i'm changing for a guy. The last thing i would ever do is change for someone else! And so i wanted to make a song that stated that fact. I'm still who i was, its just taken on a different form. I just like trying new things and he encourages me to be who i am, which is nice.

Your list of people who you've always admired are all gay icons. You've got such gay music tastes! You're a gay man trapped inside a tiny woman's body.
If the shoe fits! What can i say? You guys have got good taste. Yeh, they're great.

You're very attracted to strong powerful women?
Yes, i am very much so.

Is Linda Perry (Lesbian producer of Stripped and half of Back to Basics) like that?
She's very strong. Linda's amazing. I don't like people who are wishy-washy and don't have an opinion.

Do you hang out with her? Does she take you to lesbian bars?[/b][/size]
Sometimes we go, yeah. She's a real friend.

What are the lesbian bars she takes you to like?
Well LA nightclubs, period, arent' the best - everywhere closes at 2am and it's early to bed.

I know! You lot are so square!
Well, i'm not! [laughs]. You just have to know where the good after-party is, basically.

Did you ever get your bum pinchedin those lesbian bars? Is it crazy when you walk in somewhere like that?
There's a lot of staring and talking. Jordy has had to fend a few off. But we have fun together. Jordy and i have both gone before.

What, to lesbian bars?
Yeh, and gay bars. The abbey in LA is really fun. One time we went it got a little out of hand. I just have to make sure we got good security, good men around me.

There's never any trouble with gay men, is there? We're good as gold.
That's the good thing about the gay community: they're coming together for a purpose its all about love.

Did you hear that story that Lourdes said to Madonna, "Mummy, they said you're a lesbian because you kissed Britney and Christina"[on the lips during a performance at the MTV awards] and Madonna said, "That was me passing my power on to these two young girls?
Oooh, interesting.

Do you feel like she passed the baton onto you?
She broke a lot of new ground for a lot of women, as far as not caring what people think and taking the brunt of verbal abuse... but she never let it break her down and i have a lot of admiration for that.

Can you see yourself doing a sex book like her?
It's not what im interested in right now. I remember when it came out. I was really young. I didn't see it. But i think that it's a really courageous thing to do, to go against so many different stereotypes and labels. Madonna was sexy without pandering to men...That's how i like to convey sexuality. Sexuality for me comes out of love and self-love, about knowing what you want and how to convey it. It is very interesting that nothing is really said about violence. With movie ratings and what not. That's another sad thing that needs to change.

Your dad was an army dad. i always imagine that must be a very homophobic enviroment to come from.
Yeah, but i didn't realy experience too much of that. It was so chaotic with all the abuse going on, i never really knew my father that much but i can see that happening though.

Have you forgiven him?
I can forgive, but it's hard to forget and at this point in my life, i've got an amazing husband and im breaking the cycle by not marrying someone that abuses me. This is important so i don't relaly feel the need to have him in my life.

So are you still friends with Britney?
Erm, yeah. She sent me wedding gifts, i sent over wedding gifts, baby baskets. It's from afar. We don't keep personal touch. She's an old friend. We go back.

Are there any deadly rivalries? Can you and Paris Hilton be in the same room?
I've seen her out and she can be fun.

Kelly Osbourne was the one that really had it in for you, didn't she?
I guess so. Half the time i have no idea what the problem is. Especially this time in my life i have no beef with anyone. If someone has a problem with me then so be it. I'm in a good place right now, especialy with my husband...

You're so loved up, aren't you?
I hope i am! There'd be something wrong if i wasn't, right?

The weird thing about straight people getting married is it's like saying officially, "I promise this is the last person i'll ever have sex with".
[laughs] That does cross your mind, of course, but with my husband... you know when you're so connected with someone...? It's an interesting concept to be dedicated to one person for the rest of your life. I'm really intrigued by it. I mean i could only do this with someone i wholeheartedly love and adore and respect and cherish. Not to sound clichéd, but i think there is something to be said for growing with someone.

But there's always going to be a younger, hotter boy.
[laughs] I can pass those up. I'm good. I've had my fun.
'Back to Basics' is out now on RCA Records.

Edited September 2, 200618 yr by Kalen

It's a very long interview but SOOOOOO worth reading!

Thanks for that Kalen! I really enjoyed reading that one - she seemed more open in that interview than all the others I ever saw her in.

I agree! Especially about the experimenting! It's obvious what the answer was :kink: :rofl:

:lol: It was sexier not to say anything though :P But seriously, 'experimenting'? What do lesbians do - is it like dodgems at the funfair?? :rofl: :kink:

I hear they use their fists alot :o

Wow...sounds violent. I wonder if the domestic violence groups know of this :unsure:

Omg :rofl: I think they use their fists in 2 ways :o

Wow...so it's true then. Women can multitask :kink:

:rofl: Omg... I think lesbians have the minds of men though (in most cases) :kink:

Not just the minds! This lesbian at my work has an adam's apple as well. :o

Omg :o! How did that happen :unsure:? They also normally have their eyebrows pierced, that's only hot on boys -_-

Omg I agree. Nah this one at work...well I assumed she was a man, until she came out of the ladies changing rooms with her name tag 'Cassie' on it - they all have such girlie names have you noticed? :lol:

Honestly, you 2 chatting about filth in yet ANOTHER thread. :kink:

:rofl:! They do have girly names, like, Amanda, Cassie, Jessica :rofl:

 

 

And a Dirrrty itnerview causes dirrty talk Kelly :kink: :lol:

So i've heard Kalen. :kink:

OMG! Forget Christina - Phillip Olivier is in that mag :o What does it say about him Kalen? :lol:

Eh is he that man that used to be in Brookside?

Yup! He's now playing a gay character on Hollyoaks in the City :P

so this gay magazine has brought the gayest out of you 2 eh? :lol:

 

there's an interview going round with 'cosmopolitan' if anyone can find it, there are some great christina pictures in it :wub: i cant seem to find them :(