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In less than a year from the day that she burst onto the world musical landscape, Christina Aguilera has scored two #1 smash hit singles, watched sales of her chart-topping RCA debut album surpass the eight million mark worldwide, headlined the Super Bowl Half-Time Show, performed for the President, and to top it all off, took home the Grammy for Best New Artist. With current plans that include a mammoth summer / fall national tour, a new Spanish language album, and a holiday album of seasonal favorites, Christina Aguilera continues to provide evidence that she is the premier musical voice of her generation.
Christina first began performing at age six in school talent shows. At age eight, she appeared on the nationally syndicated 'Star Search,' at ten she sang the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins, and then, at twelve, she joined the ensemble cast of 'The New Mickey Mouse Club,' appearing on the Orlando-based show along with future stars Britney Spears, J.C. and Justin of 'N Sync, and Keri Russell of 'Felicity.' After two years, the show ended and Christina got the opportunity to travel overseas to further hone her musical skills. In 1997, Christina performed in places as far flung as Tokyo, Japan and Brasov, Romania, but always with her eye on the same goal. "I always wanted to have my own album recorded and released before I graduated high school," says Christina. She certainly took quick strides toward that goal.
In early 1998, after finishing some demos and shopping for a record deal, Christina auditioned to sing "Reflection" for Disney's animated film "Mulan." The filmmakers needed someone "who could hit a high E above middle C," according to Christina, who then cut a one-take demo in her living room singing to a karaoke tape of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Run To You." The demo was rushed to Disney, and within a day, Christina was in a Los Angeles studio recording "Reflection." That same week, RCA Records signed her to a record contract. "Mulan" premiered in June 1998, and "Reflection" turned into a Top 15 A/C single, with Christina performing it live on 'CBS This Morning' and the 'Donnie & Marie Show.' The single went on to garner a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture and Christina the attention of some of the best writers and producers in the industry.
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