Christina Aguilera

Born Christina Maria Aguilera on December 18, 1980, in Staten Island, New York. The daughter of a military father and a musician mother, Aguilera appeared on Star Search at age 9 and was a cast member of the Mickey Mouse Club for two years before recording the hit duet "All I Wanna Do" in Japan with local pop star Keizo Nakanishi.

In 1998, the pop artist began her rapid ascent to stardom when she recorded "Reflection" for the soundtrack of Disney's Mulan. Her self-titled debut album followed shortly thereafter, with the single "Genie In A Bottle" becoming the biggest selling U.S. single of the year.

After winning a Grammy in 1999 for Best New Artist, Aguilera topped the charts again in January 2000 with "What A Girl Wants" and "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You). The savvy release of a Spanish collection of hits titled Mi Reflejo and a cover version of LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack kept the star in the limelight.

In 2002, Aguilera unveiled a controversial sexually charged image for her second studio album, Stripped. The album's first single, "Dirrty," drew similar controversy for its decidedly steamy music video.

In 2006, Aguilera appeared somewhat more subdued when she released her third studio album Back to Basics. She considered it to be a modern spin on the jazz, blues, and soul music from 1920s to the 1940s. Though one track, "Still Dirrty," indicated that she was not completely shedding her sexy image.

In late 2007, rumors started to swirl around Aguilera about a possible pregnancy. Paris Hilton leaked the news at a September party in Las Vegas, saying "congratulations to the most beautiful pregnant woman in the world" to Aguilera, according to a report in People magazine. Despite this public declaration, Aguilera remained mum on the subject of whether or not she was pregnant.

Aguilera finally confirmed the rumors in early November that she and her husband of two years, music executive Jordan Bratman, were expecting their first child. The singer told Glamour's U.K. edition that her plans for New Year's Eve involve a new baby.

"That'll be about the time I enter into mommy hood so I'm hoping to have started a beautiful family with my husband!" Aguilera is quoted in a story posted on the magazine's Web site. Later that month, a very pregnant Aguilera modeled her baby bump on the cover of Marie Claire magazine.

The couple welcomed Max Liron Bratman on January 12, 2008. On the day of his birth, Aguilera posted a message on her website to her fans. Here is a part of that message, expressing their delight over their new addition: "Today is a very joyful and special day for Jordan and I as we welcome our first son into this world."
The next month Aguilera made her first public appearance since Maxs arrival. To promote her new DVD Back to Basics: Live and Down Under (2008), she signed autographs at an electronics store in West Hollywood, California.