Singer Christina Aguilera has always been a figurehead for confidence, be it through her powerful voice and songs, to her outfit choices (that have since been replicated by the likes of Kylie Jenner). Now, she's spoken out in a candid new interview saying she finds it tough looking back at old photos of herself and that she struggled with her body image during those early days of fame.
Having grown up in the limelight alongside Britney Spears as part of Disney's Mickey Mouse Club, Christina explained during her talk with Health that she felt insecure about her figure growing up, but that she has become more comfortable in her own skin in recent years.
"I think we all have our good days and our bad days in how we feel about ourselves," said Christina. "Entering this business, I hated being super skinny. Once I turned 21, I started filling out a little bit, and I was loving my new curves. I appreciated having a booty. I've always said that women are way more interesting to look at than men!"
She continued on to say, "[But] I have a hard time looking at the early pictures of myself because I remember feeling so insecure."
Christina also spoke on how her perspective has changed over time, "I would never want to re-live my twenties, you're so in your own head and finding your confidence. As you age, you stop comparing yourself to other people and start appreciating your own body and owning it."
These are important lessons that the artist says she's passing on to her daughter, Summer, aged six, too. "I am really careful if my daughter is there when I am doing photo shoots. I want to make sure that when she sees Mommy in hair and makeup that she realises that's not what's important," Christina said.
She added that writing about her feelings and spending time outdoors are both key factors in maintaining good mental health, too.
"I experienced a lot of trauma in my childhood, but I think that was just part of my path," Christina explained. "I've definitely had struggles in the past with depression and anxiety, it's a constant battle to overcome a mind that is anxious, a mind that is always second-guessing."
We're so glad to hear that Christina is in a far more positive headspace these days. Keep doing you, Xtina, we love you!
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Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
