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karma

Halle Berry: Updated Biography

Approved 770 days ago. Posted 770 days ago by kimberwyn

0 comment(s) 2 rating(s)


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-	<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Halle Berry</strong></span>	+	Halle Berry has the distinction of being one of the few actresses today who successfully made the transition into their current career from modeling. After dropping out of college in Ohio, Berry was entered into the Miss Ohio Teen Beauty Pageant by her then-boyfriend. She won, and left behind her aspirations of becoming a journalist to work in the high-profile field of modeling. <br />
-		+	Modeling soon led to acting work. Berry proved herself on screen and soon became one of the most popular minority actresses in Hollywood. Spike Lee helped jump-start her career with a role in his popular feature Jungle Feature, which also starred Wesley Snipes and Samuel L. Clark. She appeared briefly on the nighttime soap Knots Landing, and played opposite such veritable Hollywood staples as Eddie Murphy (in Boomerang) and Bruce Willis (in The Last Boy Scout). She made a string of other films, but didn�t receive any serious critical raves until her portrayal of Dorothy Dandridge in the HBO biopic that earned her attention throughout the entertainment industry. (Coincidentally, Berry was born in the same hospital as Dandridge.)<br />
-	<strong>Halle Maria Berry</strong> (born August 14, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a multi-racial Emmy and	+	Always an overachiever, Berry has been known to become deeply involved with her acting. For her role in Jungle Fever, she refused to bathe for 10 days in order to get into her character as a crack addict.
-		+	<b>Work History</b>
-	Golden Globe award winning actress, and she became the first black actress to win an Academy Award (for her	+	(1999) Realizes dream by starring in and co-producing story of actress Dorothy Dandridge.<br />
-		+	(1996) Signed with Revlon to model cosmetics in Print and TV Advertising.<br />
-	2001 role in <em>Monster's Ball</em>). In April of 2007 Halle received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of	+	(1994) Cast as Rosetta Stone to replace Sharon Stone in big-screen adaptation of The Flintstones.<br />
-		+	(1991) Feature film debut in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever.<br />
-	Fame. This former fashion model and beauty queen has graced the silver screen in over 30 films, and has	+	(1986) Appears on Lisa Bonet's series, A Different World.<br />
-		+	(1986) Wins dress competition in Miss World Pageant.<br />
-	gone on to become one of Hollywood’s most notable film actresses, beginning with starring as a crack addict	+	(1986) Takes prize as first runner-up in Miss USA Pageant.<br />
-		+	(1986) Works as model.<br />
-	in <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/spikelee">Spike Lee</a>’s <em>Jungle Fever</em> in 1991 and	+	(1984) Participates in Miss Teen All-American Pageant, representing state of Ohio.
-		+	<b>Affiliations</b>
-	continuing all the way to an Oscar win, and <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/storm">Storm </a>in the	+	Volunteer for Juvenile Diabetes Association
-		+	<b>Awards</b>
-	multi-million dollar <em>X-Men</em> franchise. With a heafty resume, and only more to come, this beauty	+	Halle Berry has also won numerous [[Awards]]
-		+
-	should never stop being one of the reigning queens of the cinema.	+
-		+
-	<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Early Life</strong></span>	+
-		+
-	Halle is the daughter of Judith Ann Hawkins, an English Liverpudlian, and Jerome J. Berry, who is an	+
-		+
-	African American. Berry's parents selected her first name from that of Halle's Department Store, which was	+
-		+
-	then a local landmark in her birthplace of Cleveland, Ohio. Berry's maternal grandmother, Nellie Dicken,	+
-		+
-	was born in Sawley, Derbyshire, England, while her maternal grandfather, Earl Ellsworth Hawkins, was born	+
-		+
-	in Ohio. Berry's parents divorced when she was four years old and she subsequently was raised by her	+
-		+
-	mother, a psychiatric nurse. Her father was an orderly in the same psychiatric ward where her mother	+
-		+
-	worked. Berry has an older sister, Heidi who was born seven years before her. In 1989, Berry was diagnosed	+
-		+
-	with diabetes mellitus type 1.	+
-		+
-	Berry was a popular student at Bedford High School and was a cheerleader, honor society member, editor of	+
-		+
-	the school newspaper, class president and prom queen. In high school, she worked in the children's	+
-		+
-	department at Higbee's Department store. She subsequently attended Cuyahoga Community College.	+
-		+
-	Before becoming an actress, she entered several beauty contests, winning Miss Ohio USA and Miss Teen	+
-		+
-	All-American. Other entries included Miss USA (first runner-up in 1986 to Christy Fichtner of Texas, the	+
-		+
-	second of the "Texas Aces"), and sixth place in Miss World in 1986. In the Miss USA 1986 pageant interview	+
-		+
-	competition, she said she hoped to become an entertainer, or to have something to do with the media or	+
-		+
-	newspaper. Her interview was awarded the highest score by the judges.	+
-		+
-	<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Early Career	+
-	</strong></span>	+
-	In the late 1980s, she went to Chicago, to pursue a career in modeling and, hopefully, acting. One of her	+
-		+
-	first acting projects was a television series for local cable by Gordon Lake Productions called "Chicago	+
-		+
-	Force."	+
-		+
-	Berry auditioned for a role in an updated "Charlie's Angels" television series by producer <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/aaronspelling">Aaron Spelling</a>. Though she did not receive the role,	+
-		+
-	she impressed Spelling and he encouraged her to continue acting.	+
-		+
-	In 1989, Berry landed the role of Emily Franklin in the short-lived ABC television series "Living Dolls" (a	+
-		+
-	spin-off of Who's the Boss?).	+
-		+
-	<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Notable Acting Career	+
-	</strong></span>	+
-	Halle got her first big break in 1991 when Spike Lee cast her as a crack-addicted woman in <em>Jungle	+
-		+
-	Fever</em>, co-starring <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/samuelljackson">Samuel L. Jackson</a>. Halle	+
-		+
-	was so determined to execute the role perfectly that she actually interviewed real addicts and stopped	+
-		+
-	bathing 10 days before filming the racially charged film.	+
-		+
-	Her first co-starring role was in the film <em>Strictly Business</em>. In 1992, she won a starring role as	+
-		+
-	a career woman who falls for <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/eddiemurphy">Eddie Murphy</a> in the	+
-		+
-	romantic comedy <em>Boomerang</em>. That same year, Berry caught the public's attention as a headstrong	+
-		+
-	biracial slave in the television adaptation of <em>Queen: The Story of an American Family</em>, based on	+
-		+
-	the book by <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/alexhaley">Alex Haley</a>. Another early role Berry played	+
-		+
-	was the sultry secretary in the live action <em>Flintstones</em> movie as "Sharon Stone," in a part rumored	+
-		+
-	to have been intended for <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/sharonstone">Sharon Stone </a>(Berry would	+
-		+
-	later co-star alongside Stone in Catwoman).	+
-		+
-	In 1995 Berry continued to show she could handle more serious fare when she portrayed a former drug addict	+
-		+
-	struggling to regain custody of her son in <em>Losing Isaiah</em>. She "held her own" opposite powerhouse	+
-		+
-	co-star <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/jessicalange">Jessica Lange</a>.	+
-		+
-	In 1996, she played the role of Sandra Beecher in <em>Race the Sun</em>, and co-starred along side <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/kurtrussell">Kurt Russell</a> in <em>Executive Decision</em>. She	+
-		+
-	originally turned down the role, however she conceded when she was offered a $1 million salary for the film	+
-		+
-	– that was her first million dollar role.	+
-		+
-	Berry received praise for her role as an intelligent woman raised by activists who gives an older	+
-		+
-	politician <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/warrenbeatty">Warren Beatty</a> a new lease on life in	+
-		+
-	<em>Bulworth</em> (1998) and then as the singer <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/zoyataylor">Zola	+
-		+
-	Taylor</a>, and as one of the three wives of pop singer <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/frankielymon">Frankie Lymon</a>, in the unfortunately overlooked biopic	+
-		+
-	<em>Why Do Fools Fall in Love</em> in 1998.	+
-		+
-	In 1999, Berry portrayed the first black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award in the HBO	+
-		+
-	biopic <em>Introducing Dorothy Dandridge</em>. Berry's performance as <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/dorothydandridge">Dandridge</a> was recognized with several awards,	+
-		+
-	including an Emmy and Golden Globe. She also served as one of the producers of the project.	+
-		+
-	Berry went on to portray the mutant <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/storm">Storm </a>in the movie	+
-		+
-	adaptation of the popular comic book series <em>X-Men</em> (2000) and its successful sequels <em>X2: X-Men	+
-		+
-	United</em> (2003) and <em>X-Men: The Last Stand</em> (2006). Berry's portrayal of Storm in the	+
-		+
-	<em>X-Men</em> films has provoked some criticism. Some fans of the character of Storm refer to Berry as	+
-		+
-	"HalleStorm" or "movie Storm". Furthermore, there was a rumor that Berry had said that because of a lack of	+
-		+
-	roles for black actors, she was "reduced to" playing a comic book character. Berry and co-star <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/ianmckellen">Ian McKellen </a>maintain that she was misquoted.	+
-		+
-	In 2001 Halle made headlines when she was allegedly paid a $500,000 bonus to reveal her breasts in a scene	+
-		+
-	in 2001's hacker film, <em>Swordfish</em>.	+
-		+
-	In late 2001, Berry appeared as Leticia Musgrove, the wife of an executed murderer, in the film	+
-		+
-	<em>Monster's Ball</em>. Her performance was awarded prizes from groups like the National Board of Review	+
-		+
-	and the Screen Actors Guild. Halle made history with this role by becoming the first black woman to earn a	+
-		+
-	Best Actress Academy Award. However, the role did come with its fair share of controversy: <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/angelabassett">Angela Bassett </a>stated in Newsweek that she declined	+
-		+
-	the role of Leticia saying that "Film is forever. It's about putting something out there you can be proud	+
-		+
-	of 10 years later." Later Berry would tell <em>Vogue</em> that "I haven't spoken to her about it. I don't	+
-		+
-	know what she said, what she meant, if she said it, if she didn't....It didn't really affect me in the way	+
-		+
-	it affected a lot of other people." Finally in 2006, Bassett told the <em>Times</em> that she spoke with	+
-		+
-	Berry and that "She was hurt, but not only did it hurt her, it hurt me. We talked it through."	+
-		+
-	As Bond Girl, Jinx, in the 2002 blockbuster <em>Die Another Day</em>, she famously re-created the scene	+
-		+
-	from Dr. No, bursting from the surf to be greeted by <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/jamesbond">James	+
-		+
-	Bond</a>, as <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/ursulaandress">Ursula Andress </a>did 40 years earlier in	+
-		+
-	a bikini with a knife strapped to her side. On April 10, 2002, she received an injury on the set of <em>Die	+
-		+
-	Another Day</em>: Halle was hurt on location in Cadiz, Spain while shooting an action sequence that	+
-		+
-	involved <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/piercebrosnan">Pierce Brosnan </a>firing on a helicopter	+
-		+
-	being flown by <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/rickyune">Rick Yune</a>.	+
-		+
-	Also, in late 2003, Berry starred in the psychological thriller Gothika opposite Robert Downey Jr.	+
-		+
-	However, her roles did not always come with praise, and in 2005, in her next lead role in the film	+
-		+
-	<em>Catwoman</em>, she was awarded a "worst actress" Razzie award by The Golden Raspberry Award Foundation,	+
-		+
-	which she accepted in person with a sense of humor and recognition that "to be at the top, you must	+
-		+
-	experience the rock bottom." <a href="http://www.razzies.com">The Razzies</a>	+
-		+
-	In 2004, she was named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in <em>People</em> magazine, and was voted as	+
-		+
-	#7 on the "Top 100 Sexiest Women 2004" by <em>FHM</em> magazine.	+
-		+
-	She has become one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood, commanding $14 million each for	+
-		+
-	<em>Gothika</em> and <em>Catwoman</em>.	+
-		+
-	Berry's next performance was for television, where she appeared in the <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/oprahwinfrey">Oprah Winfrey </a>produced ABC telepic <em>Their Eyes Were	+
-		+
-	Watching God</em> (2005), an adaptation of the popular <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/zoranealehurston">Zora Neale Hurston </a>novel in which Berry played	+
-		+
-	Janie Crawford, an iconoclastic, free-spirited woman whose unconventional mores regarding relationships	+
-		+
-	upset her 1920s contemporaries in her small community. Meanwhile, she voiced the character of Cappy, one of	+
-		+
-	the many mechanical beings in the animated feature, <em>Robots</em> (2005).	+
-		+
-	In 2005, she was again named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" by <em>People</em> magazine, named #1 on	+
-		+
-	BET's "All Shades of Fine: The 25 Hottest Women of the Past 25 Years, named #41 on the <em>Maxim</em>	+
-		+
-	magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list, and #5 in <em>FHM's</em> "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special	+
-		+
-	supplement. She was also named #6 in <em>FHM</em> magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006"	+
-		+
-	supplement.	+
-		+
-	In 2006, she filmed the thriller <em>Perfect Stranger</em> with <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/brucewillis">Bruce Willis</a> and recently wrapped shooting <em>Things We	+
-		+
-	Lost in the Fire</em> with <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/beniciodeltoro">Benicio Del Toro</a>. She	+
-		+
-	is also set to star in <em>Class Act</em>, based on the real life story of a teacher whose students helped	+
-		+
-	her run for political office.	+
-		+
-	<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Other Media Opportunities</span></strong>	+
-		+
-	Berry is also making a transition to behind the scenes work in film and television. She is working with	+
-		+
-	author <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/angelanissel">Angela Nissel </a>to executive produce a comedy	+
-		+
-	series based on Nissel's two memoirs, <em>The Broke Diaries </em>and <em>Mixed: My Life in Black and	+
-		+
-	White</em>.	+
-		+
-	Berry has served many years as the face of Revlon cosmetics and was recently named the new face of <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/versace">Versace</a>.	+
-		+
-	<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Media Attention Personal Life</span></strong>	+
-		+
-	Berry has stated that her self-identification is a result of the ignorance of her peers and her mother's	+
-		+
-	influence. She is quoted as saying, "I was raised by my white mother and every day of my life I have always	+
-		+
-	been aware of the fact that I am bi-racial. However, growing up I was aware that even though my mother was	+
-		+
-	white, I did not look or 'feel' very white myself... If people would just learn to look at everyone equally	+
-		+
-	and stop trying to label one another the issue of what we are all made of would be null and void...We are	+
-		+
-	all members of the same race, the human race!"	+
-		+
-	In February 2000, she was involved in a car accident when she struck another vehicle after running a red	+
-		+
-	light and left the scene before the police arrived. Berry, who had sustained a head injury, later stated	+
-		+
-	she had no recollection of the accident and pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge. She paid a fine,	+
-		+
-	made restitution to the other driver, performed community services, and was placed on three years’	+
-		+
-	probation.	+
-		+
-	Berry has been married twice. Her first marriage in 1992 to pro baseball player <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/davidjustice">David Justice </a>ended in divorce in 1996. David played	+
-		+
-	with the Atlanta Braves and had experienced a measure of fame as the team rose to national attention in the	+
-		+
-	early 1990s. They found it difficult to maintain their relationship when he was playing baseball and she	+
-		+
-	was filming elsewhere. Her second marriage in 2001 to musician<a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/ericbenet"> Eric Benét</a> resulted in a 2004 separation and 2005	+
-		+
-	divorce. In 2004, after their separation, Berry stated "I want love, and I will find it, hopefully."	+
-		+
-	As of 2006, she is currently dating Canadian supermodel <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/gabrielaubry">Gabriel Aubry</a>. Mr. Aubry is nine years her junior. The	+
-		+
-	couple met at a Versace photoshoot. After six months with Aubry, she stated in an interview "I'm really	+
-		+
-	happy in my personal life, which is a novelty to me. You know I'm not the girl that has the best	+
-		+
-	relationships".	+
-		+
-	Berry recently revealed to <em>Extra</em> that she plans to adopt children. "I will adopt if it doesn't	+
-		+
-	happen for me naturally", she said. "I will definitely adopt. And I probably will adopt even if it does	+
-		+
-	happen naturally." It has since been speculated that Aubry, who lived in five foster families between the	+
-		+
-	ages of 3 and 18, might have inspired some of Berry's interest in adoption. Later, she stated "I never want	+
-		+
-	to be married again. I guess you could say I have had bad taste in men. But I no longer feel the need to be	+
-		+
-	someone's wife. I don't feel like I need to be validated by being in a marriage."	+
-		+
-	When speaking on the subject of having her own biological child, Berry has recently indicated that she has	+
-		+
-	given thought to Aubry being the father, but that it is too early for that level of commitment involving a	+
-		+
-	biological child between them. She stated that they both share the same feelings against the need to be	+
-		+
-	married, and she indicated this to be one of she and Aubry's many strong bonds with one another. She stated	+
-		+
-	that both feel the need to commit to one person emotionally and physically, but neither feels the	+
-		+
-	obligation to marry in order to make that commitment official.	+
-		+
-	<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Charity Work and Activism</strong></span>	+
-		+
-	Being a diabetic herself, Berry became the first celebrity ambassador for the <a	+
-		+
-	href="http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/372-diabetes-aware">Diabetes Aware</a> campaign. She also	+
-		+
-	supports Clothes Off Our Back, The Entertainment Industry Foundation, Jenesse Center, and The Make-A-Wish	+
-		+
-	Foundation.	+

		+	Blogs
		+	<a href="http://www.glitteratigossip.com/glitterati/halle_berry/index.html" target=new>Halle Berry @ GliterratiGossip.com</a> - Get glittering news and gossip on this celeb and many more.

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-543

karma

Christina Aguilera: Updated Biography

Approved 770 days ago. Posted 770 days ago by kimberwyn

0 comment(s) 2 rating(s)


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-	<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Christina Aguilera</strong></span>	+	Ever since she was a little girl, all Christina Aguilera has wanted to do is perform. It did not matter if it was singing in front of friends or her stuffed animals, Aguilera dreamed of being in the spotlight. Her wish came true in the summer of 1999, when her debut single ?Gennie in a Bottle? held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for five weeks in a row, marking the beginning of an already promising career.<br />
		+	Growing up in Wexford, Pennsylvania with her mother, Aguilera began performing at a young age in front of anybody that would pay attention to her. She entered local talent shows and was the runner-up on Star Search at the age of eight. Aguilera auditioned for the New Mickey Mouse Club, but they thought she was too young and waited a couple of years before giving her a spot. She joined the show and performed with other future teen sensations Britney Spears, Keri Russell, and members of N?Sync. Aguilera?s stardom did not help her at school, as the other students began to despise her. Her mother pulled her out at the end of middle school, and schooled her daughter at home for her high school years.<br />
		+	After being on the New Mickey Mouse Club for two years, Aguilera tried her hand at singing professionaly. She soon had a huge hit in Japan with the song ?All I Wanna Do? and gained recognition in the US for her song ?Reflection? on the Mulan soundtrack. In 1999, Aguilera signed a seven-record deal with RCA, and that summer released the song ?Geenie in a Bottle.? During the fall, her self-titled debut album was released, and landed in the number one spot on the charts. Aguilera is currently touring the US in support of her album.
		+	<b>Work History</b>
		+	(1988) Appeared on the television show Star Search.<br />
		+	(1993-1995) Starred on the New Mickey Mouse Club.<br />
		+	(late ?90s) Recorded the song ?All I Wanna Do.?<br />
		+	(1998) Recorded a song for the Mulan movie soundtrack.<br />
		+	(1999) Released self-titled debut album.

-	From a very young age, <strong>Christina Maria Aguilera</strong> (born December 18, 1980) has been recognized, renowned, and celebrated for her powerful singing voice, wowing her audience and amazing her peers since the dawn of her musical career. Not only has Aguilera had continued commercial success, she has also proven to be quite the chameleon as well: changing hair-styles, fashion choices, and even her projected public image, from the teenage pop star in her original album <em>Christina Aguilera</em>, to the sexually aggressive vixen in her second studio album, <em>Stripped</em>, and then finally to her most recent album, <em>Back to Basics</em>, where her fashion choices emulate a <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/marilynmonroe">Marylyn Monroe</a>-esque old Hollywood glamour, and her music style carries such elements as soul, jazz and the blues.	+	Links & Fansites
		+	[http://www.xtinaweb.org \|XtinaWeb.org] - A fully interactive Christina Aguilera fansite.

-	Aguilera is a five-time Grammy Award-winning American pop singer-songwriter who was signed to RCA Records after recording "Reflection" for the Disney film <em>Mulan</em> in 1998, when she was only 17-years old.	+	[http://connection.christina-aguilera.net \|The Christina Connection] - A fan archive of Christina's projects and pictures.

-	Since her debut Aguilera has sold over 30 million records internationally.	+	Blogs
		+	<a href="http://www.imnotobsessed.com/category/christina-aguilera/" target=new>Christina Aguilera @ I'mNotObsessed.com</a> - Blogging everything about Christina A. and a ton of other celebs.

-	<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Early Life and Career</strong></span>	+	<a href="http://hollywoodbackwash.com/category/celebrities/christina-aguilera/" target=new>Christina Aguilera @ HollywoodBackwash.com</a> The latest Xtina gossip and commentary.

-	Born in Staten Island, New York, Aguilera’s father, Fausto Wagner Xavier Aguilera, was a U.S. Army sergeant, and her mother, Shelly Loraine Fidler, was a Spanish teacher. Aguilera's father was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, while her Pennsylvanian mother has Irish and Dutch ancestors. Her parents married when her mother was 20-years old and her father 31.	+	<a href="http://www.hollyscoop.com/121/categories/christina-aguilera.aspx" target=new>Christina Aguilera @ HollyScoop.com</a> - The latest scoop on Christina Aguilera.
-		+
-	Aguilera lived with her father and mother until she was 6 or 7 years old. According to both Aguilera and Fidler, her father was very controlling, as well as physically and emotionally abusive; she later wrote about her difficult childhood in the songs, "I'm OK" in Stripped, and "Oh Mother" in <em>Back to Basics</em>. When her parents divorced, her mother took her and her younger sister Rachel to her grandmother's home in Rochester, Pennsylvania, a blue-collar suburb of Pittsburgh.	+
-		+
-	Aguilera knew from a young age that she wanted to be a singer. She performed at block parties and in several talent competitions – competitions that she usually won. Soon Aguilera became infamous in the talent show circuit, known as "the little girl with the big voice"; if competitors in local talent competitions learned they would be up against her in any given week, they immediately backed out, claiming that sending their children to compete against Aguilera was "like sending a lamb to the slaughter."	+
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-	Not only were her peers intimidated by her talents, but apparently they became jealous of her as well, and would frequently subject her to ridicule, ostracism, and, in one gym class, attempted assault. In addition, there were acts of vandalism directed toward her included the slashing of the tires on the family car. Eventually the family relocated and Aguilera swore that she would keep her talent a secret, lest another backlash occur.	+
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-	On March 15, 1990, Aguilera appeared on “Star Search” singing <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/ettajames">Etta James</a>' "A Sunday Kind of Love", but lost the competition. Soon after losing on “Star Search,” she returned home and appeared on Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV's Wake Up with <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/larryrichert">Larry Richert</a> to perform the same song again; people called in to say that the then 10-year-old Aguilera didn’t sound any younger than a 20-year-old.	+
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-	Throughout her youth in Pittsburgh, Aguilera sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey games, Pittsburgh Steelers football and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games. But her first major role in entertainment came in 1993 when she joined the Disney Channel's variety show "The New Mickey Mouse Club.” Her co-stars included <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/britneyspears">Britney Spears</a>, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/justintimberlake">Justin Timberlake</a>, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/jcchasez">JC Chasez</a>, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/rhonabennett">Rhona Bennett</a> (who later became a member of <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/envogue">En Vogue</a>), <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/ryangosling">Ryan Gosling</a>, and <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/kerirussell">Keri Russell</a>. Aguilera's Mickey Mouse Club co-stars called her "the Diva." One of her most notable performances was of <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/whitneyhouston">Whitney Houston</a>'s "I Have Nothing." When "The Mickey Mouse Club" ended in 1994, Aguilera began recording demos in an attempt to get signed to a record label.	+
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-	At fourteen, Aguilera recorded her first song, "All I Wanna Do," a hit duet with Japanese singer <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/kazuonakanishi">Keizo Nakanishi</a>.	+
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-	In 1997, she represented the United States at the "Golden Stag" International Festival with a two-song set which included a <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/sherylcrow">Sheryl Crow</a> and <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/dianaross">Diana Ross</a> song.	+
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-	<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Vocal Ability</span></strong>	+
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-	Aguilera, known for her strong vocals and powerful voice, has rivaled many of her other contemporaries and has been referred to as the 'voice of our generation'. In the MTV special All Eyes on Christina, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/johnnorris">John Norris</a> said that Aguilera "has a four-octave vocal range." Aguilera has been noted to possess the ability to hit notes in the whistle register. However, she does not use this as much (as opposed to <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/mariahcarey">Mariah Carey</a>), and prefers to sing more powerful, mid-range notes.	+
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-	A review in an <em>Entertainment Weekly</em> article mentions her "tackling that dog-whistle high note" at the 3:20 mark in the song "Soar", which was the note "F". It was the F two octaves above the middle one. The song is from the album Stripped.	+
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-	She is also known to "warble" which is to sing or whistle with trills, quavers, or melodic embellishment.	+
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-	<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">1998–2001: <em>Christina Aguilera</em></span></strong>	+
-	<strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong>	+
-	In 1998 Aguilera sang the High "E" ("E" above tenor high "C") in full voice on a cover of Whitney Houston's "Run to You" that she recorded with an old tape recorder in her bathroom. From that recording, she was selected to record the song "Reflection" for the Disney animated production of <em>Mulan</em> (1998). Recording "Reflection" led to Aguilera earning a contract with RCA Records during the same week. The song peaked within the top twenty on the Adult Contemporary Singles Chart, and it was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for "Best Original Song" in 1998.	+
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-	Her singles off of her first album <em>Christina Aguilera</em>, "Genie in a Bottle", "What a Girl Wants" and "Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" topped the Billboard Hot 100 during 1999 and 2000, and "I Turn to You" reached #3. Aguilera won the "Best New Artist" award at the 2000 Grammy Awards, and she was nominated for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for "Genie in a Bottle."	+
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-	Later in 2000, there was a heavy Latin music trend sweeping the country, riding on the tales of the pop singer <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/rickymartin">Ricky Martin</a>. Aguilera reacted to the craze by accentuate her Latin heritage, and releasing her first Spanish album, <em>Mi Reflejo</em> on September 12, 2000. This album contained Spanish versions of songs from her English debut as well as new Spanish tracks. It peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Latin album charts, and in 2001 it won Aguilera a Latin Grammy Award for “Best Female Pop Vocal Album.” The Album has sold 2.1 million copies worldwide and has been certified Gold(500,000) in the USA and 3x Platinum (600,000* Latin album) under the RIAA's Los Premios de Oro y Platino program. She also won the World Music Award as the best selling Latin artist that year.	+
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-	Aguilera also released a Christmas album on October 24, 2000 called <em>My Kind of Christmas</em>. It peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200, has sold 1.3 million copies worldwide, and has been certified Platinum (1 million) in the USA. <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/rickymartin">Ricky Martin </a>asked her to duet with him on the track "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" from his album Sound Loaded; released in 2001 as the album's second single, it reached the top five in the United Kingdom and Germany, top twenty in the U.S., and top forty in Canada, Switzerland, and Australia.	+
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-	In 2001, Aguilera, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/lilkim">Lil' Kim</a>, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/mya">Mya</a>, and <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/pink">Pink</a> were chosen to remake <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/pattilabelle">Patti LaBelle</a>'s 1975 single "Lady Marmalade" for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. "Lady Marmalade" hit number one on the Hot 100 for five weeks and reached number one in eleven other countries, and it earned all four performers a Grammy Award for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".	+
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-	Although Aguilera's debut album was very well-received, she was beginning to become despondent with the image her management had created for her. At the time, Aguilera was marketed as a bubblegum pop artist, because of the genre's upward financial trend. However, she publicly mentioned plans of her next album to have much more depth, both musically and lyrically. Aguilera felt that <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/stevekurtz">Steve Kurtz</a>, at the time has too much influence in matters of the singer's creative direction, the role of being her exclusive personal manager, and over scheduling; subsequently, she decided to seek legal means of terminating their management contract.	+
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-	In October 2000, Aguilera filed a Breach of Fiduciary Duty lawsuit against Kurtz for improper, undue and inappropriate influence over her professional activities, as well as fraud. According to legal documents, Kurtz did not protect her rights and interests. Instead, he took action that was for his own interest, at the cost of hers. The lawsuit came about when Aguilera discovered Kurtz used more of her commissionable income than he was allotted, and had paid other managers to assist him. She also petitioned the California State Labor Commission to nullify the contract. After terminating Kurtz's services, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/irvingazoff">Irving Azoff</a> was hired as her new manager. The change in management marked a new change in how Aguilera was marketed, as well as what music she would do in the future.	+
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-	Kurtz countersued later that month for breach of contract, claiming that the singer violated the same agreement she had sued to void. In the lawsuit, he included others close to Aguilera, alleging their intent to sabotage his business relationship with Aguilera. He also singled out Azoff for being in violation of the terms of Kurtz's contract.	+
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-	<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2002–2003: <em>Stripped</em></strong></span>	+
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-	On October 29, 2002, after much delay, Aguilera's second full-length English album, <em>Stripped</em>, was released selling more than 330,000 copies in the first week and peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200. The majority of <em>Stripped</em> was co-written by Aguilera (who had recently signed a global music publishing deal with BMG Music Publishing). The album was influenced by many different subjects and music styles, including rhythm and blues, gospel, soul, balladry, pop rock, hip-hop and jazz.	+
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-	The album was very well-received by critics although Aguilera's vocals were overlooked as she began to cultivate a more sexually provocative image. After the release of the album, she took part in photoshoots for magazines such as <em>Maxim</em>, <em>Rolling Stone</em> and <em>CosmoGirl</em>!. Many of these photographs featured her nude or semi-nude. She denied that this change was a matter of publicity, claiming that the image better reflected her true personality than did the image she cultivated back in 1999. It was during this time Aguilera referred to herself as "Xtina," stating that it was a "reflection of her darker self." She began to dress in raunchy revealing clothing such as riding chaps, with just black underwear underneath them, and she died her hair a variety of color, from hot pink to black.	+
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-	Initially, the raunchy image had a negative effect on Aguilera in the U.S., especially after the release of her controversial "Dirrty" music video. While the video for "Dirrty" became a huge hit on MTV, it disappointed on the U.S. singles chart. However, the single was a huge hit worldwide, reaching number one in several countries. The album reached the top five on the UK, U.S. and Canadian album charts, though it was initially considered a "sophomore slump."	+
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-	The second single, "Beautiful", became a huge radio hit and earned her another Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Three more singles from the album ("Fighter", "Can't Hold Us Down" featuring <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/lilkim">Lil' Kim</a>, "The Voice Within") were released in the following two years and were huge hits helping the album stay on the charts for the next two years. <em>Stripped</em> stayed on the U.S. and UK album charts until well into 2004, and went on to be certified 4x Platinum in the U.S., ending up at number ten on Billboard's year-end album chart. <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/kellyclarkson">Kelly Clarkson</a>'s second single "Miss Independent" was co-written by Aguilera, having been half-finished for <em>Stripped</em>." Stripped has sold more than 10 million records worldwide.	+
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-	In June, Aguilera joined <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/justintimberlake">Justin Timberlake</a> on the final leg of his international Justified tour, held in the U.S. This portion of the tour became a co-headliner called the <em>Justified & Stripped Tour</em>.	+
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-	In August an overhead lighting grid collapsed from the ceiling of the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, causing major damage to the sound and video equipment below. Because the collapse occurred hours before the performance, only a few stagehands were injured, but a few shows were cancelled or postponed. In the fourth quarter of that year Aguilera continued to tour internationally without Timberlake, and changed the name of the tour to the <em>Stripped tour</em>. She also dyed her hair black and gained a considerable amount of weight, given her previous lithe frame. It was still one of the top-grossing tours of that year, and sold out most of its venues.	+
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-	In light of the tour's success, another U.S. tour was scheduled to begin in mid-2004 with a new theme and featuring <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/chingy">Chingy </a>as an opening act. The tour was scrapped because of Aguilera's vocal cord injuries suffered shortly before its opening date. It was later reported by the British tabloid newspaper <em>The Sun</em> that low ticket sales and lack of new material were actually the major contributing factors in the tour's cancellation. Aguilera has denied the report.	+
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-	In a tribute to <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/madonna">Madonna's</a> performance at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards' ceremony, Aguilera performed a kiss with the singer-actress at the 2003 edition of the ceremony in August. The incident occurred during the opening performance of Madonna's songs "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood" with fellow popstar <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/britneyspears">Britney Spears</a>.	+
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-	Also, during 2003, Aguilera also became the face of the fashion house Versace.	+
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-	<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">2004–2005: <em>Back to Basics</em></span></strong>	+
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-	After years of baring her midriff, or being on the worst dressed lists, Aguilera decided to embrace a more mature image, with a pin-up-girl flair and platinum blond hair; this move was met with more praise than criticism, with articles using punch lines such as "From Crass to Class."	+
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-	She eventually dyed her hair cherry blonde and recorded a jingle, "Hello", for a Mercedes-Benz ad, becoming the new face of Mercedes-Benz. The single was originally going to be released to advertise 'Mercedes-Benz' but it was never pulled through as she had already started working on new material. Shortly after, she dyed her hair blonde and cut it short, and took on a <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/marilynmonroe">Marilyn Monroe </a>look; many of her fans believe she is one of the main proponents (along with <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/ditavonteese">Dita Von Teese</a>, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/gwenstefani">Gwen Stefani</a> and <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/ashleyjudd">Ashley Judd</a>) in bringing back the 1920s to 1940s Hollywood glamour look.	+
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-	In the 2004 United States presidential election, Aguilera was featured on billboards for the "Only You Can Silence Yourself" online voter registration drive run by the nonpartisan, non-profit campaign "Declare Yourself." In these political advertisements Aguilera was shown with her mouth sewn shut, to symbolize the effects of not voting. She appeared on “The <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/oprahwinfrey">Oprah Winfrey</a> Show” to discuss the importance of voting.	+
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-	In late summer 2004, Aguilera released two singles. The first, "Car Wash", was a remake of the <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/roseroyce">Rose Royce</a> disco song recorded as a collaboration with rapper <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/missyelliott">Missy Elliott</a> for the soundtrack to the film <em>Shark Tale</em>. The second song is also a collaboration, but this time as a second single from one of <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/nelly">Nelly</a>'s double-release albums, <em>Sweat</em>, titled "Tilt Ya Head Back." Both singles failed commercially in the U.S., but did considerably better in other parts of the world. After much delay, Aguilera's first DVD live-recording from a concert tour, Stripped Live in the UK, was released in November 2004. In late December she officially released a fragrance, Xpose, which has only been available in a few European countries.	+
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-	Aguilera collaborated with jazz artist <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/herbiehancock">Herbie Hancock</a> on a cover of <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/leonrussell">Leon Russell</a>'s "A Song for You" recorded for Hancock's album <em>Possibilities</em>, released in August 2005. Aguilera and Hancock were later nominated for the Grammy Award for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals." Aguilera went back to her “Mickey Mouse Club” roots when she helped open the 50th Anniversary for Disneyland by performing "When You Wish upon a Star", and she also collaborated with <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/andreabocelli">Andrea Bocelli</a> on the song "Somos Novios" for his album Amore, released in early 2006. She performed at "Unite of the Stars" charity banquet in Johannesburg, South Africa in late 2005 with stars such as <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/dianaross">Diana Ross</a> and Westlife in aid of Unite Against Hunger, and she also performed at the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund at the Coca-Cola Dome in November.	+
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-	Aguilera signed a contract with European cell phone operator Orange to promote the new Sony Ericsson Walkman phone across the continent. She was featured in a Pepsi commercial alongside Lebanese singer <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/elissa">Elissa</a> as well as Korean pop singer <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/rain">Rain</a> in May. The spot aired during the 2006 World Cup.	+
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-	She posed nude for a <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/marilynmonroe">Marilyn Monroe</a>-inspired photoshoot in the May 2006 issue of <em>GQ </em>magazine. She also granted the magazine an interview in that issue, in which she expressed disappointment in fellow singer <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/mariahcarey">Mariah Carey</a>, saying, "She was never cool to me... to the point that one time we were at a party and I think she got really drunk and she had just really derogatory things to say to me." In response, Carey issued a press release saying "It is sad yet predictable that she would use my name at this time to reinvent past incidents for her promotional gain." Aguilera then released her own statement claiming, "My intentions were not to upset Mariah with any statements that were published or taken out of context. I have all the respect in the world for her."	+
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-	Aguilera also posed for two <em>Maxim</em> covers, first in the December 2002/January 2003 issue and a second time in the Februrary/March 2007 issue. Her first cover appearance set a sales record for the magazine. In the latter issue, she is quoted saying "We had fun working with certain clothes, or the lack thereof. I never mind contorting myself for a good cause."	+
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-	Aguilera's third English studio album, <em>Back to Basics</em>, released August 15, 2006, went to #1 in 13 countries. The lead single "Ain't No Other Man" was a substantial success, reaching #6 in the U.S. and the top three in the UK. It reached #1 on the Billboard´s Hot Dance Club Play and Hot Dance Airpay for several weeks. It also was #18 on <em>Rolling Stone's</em> greatest songs of 2006.	+
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-	Aguilera described the double CD as "a throwback to the 20s, 30s, and 40s-style jazz, blues, and feel-good soul music, but with a modern twist." Producers on the album include <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/djpremier">DJ Premier</a>, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/kwame">Kwamé</a>, <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/lindaperry">Linda Perry</a>, and <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/markronson">Mark Ronson</a>. One track, "F.U.S.S.", was written as a response to the animosity between Aguilera and <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/scottstorch">Scott Storch</a> during the recording of <em>Stripped</em>. She received writing credit for every track and was the executive producer for the album, which debuted at number one in the U.S.[24] and the UK. "Hurt" is the 2nd single of Back to Basics and peaked at #4 on United World Chart, #1 on Billboard´s Eurochart Singles Sales and MTV Euro Top 20 and at #19 on the Billboard Charts.	+
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-	Aside from promoting her own album, Aguilera collaborated with <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/puffdaddy">Sean "Diddy" Combs</a> on a track, titled "Tell Me", from his album "Press Play". The single was released in Autumn 2006. The single debuted at number #20 in the UK based on downloads alone, then the single jumped to number #8 the next week.	+
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-	In September 2006, she announced her <em>Back To Basics Tour</em> with eighteen European dates which began on November 17 and end on December 17. Following this, contrary to her previous plans to tour blues and jazz clubs for a more intimate setting, she will tour North America in a 41-date arena tour, which began February 20, 2007 in Houston and ending on May 5 in Florida. She insisted that the jazz club tour would push through sometime after. "We're definitely going to mix it up, change it up, do some things that are not on the record, do some favorite classics of mine. We're really going to have fun and experiment with new ideas and interesting places to go to that have a throwback appeal and vibe." In 6 months Back to Basics has managed to sell over 3.3 million copies worldwide according to Mediatraffic. In the United States it has sold over 1.3 million copies.	+
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-	The third single from Back to Basics is set to be "Candyman", which is influenced by pop music from the 1940s and 1950s. The music video was filmed on January 25, 2007; many say that in this video Aguilera has gone for a more <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/ritahayworth">Rita Hayworth</a> look. The video is expected to be released the same day Aguilera begins the American leg of her<em> Back to Basics Tour</em>.	+
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-	At the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, Aguilera again won the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Ain't No Other Man". She made a noteworthy performance at the Grammy Awards paying tribute to James Brown with her rendition of his song It's a Man's Man's Man's World, where the audience gave her a standing ovation. She will also guest star on CSI: NY in late February. In January 2007, Aguilera was named the 19th richest woman in entertainment by Forbes, with a net worth of $60 million/£30 million+.	+
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-	<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Personal Relationships</strong></span>	+
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-	During 2000, Aguilera was rumored to have dated MTV DJ <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/carsondaly">Carson Daly</a>, although both parties denied it. The relationship was the subject of much discussion after the release of <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/eminem">Eminem</a>'s song "The Real Slim Shady", in which Eminem satirically suggests that Aguilera had performed fellatio on both Daly and <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/freddurst">Fred Durst</a>, the lead singer of Limp Bizkit, and had given the rapper himself a venereal disease. Aguilera called the song's innuendo "disgusting" and "untrue."	+
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-	Aguilera and Eminem reportedly made peace three years later backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards.	+
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-	Aguilera dated Puerto Rican-born dancer <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/jorgesantos">Jorge Santos</a> for two years until the relationship ended in September 2001.	+
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-	In late 2002, Aguilera began dating music marketing executive <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/jordanbratman">Jordan Bratman</a>. Their engagement was announced in February 2005, and they married on November 19, 2005, in the Napa Valley. The couple celebrated their one year anniversary in Dublin, Ireland.	+
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-	In late February of 2007 it was rumored that the star was pregnant, though her representatives deny the news.	+
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-	<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Charity Work</strong></span>	+
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-	Throughout her career, Aguilera has been involved with certain charities. She was the first celebrity to sign a letter from PETA to the South Korean government asking that the country stop its alleged "abuse of dogs killed for food." Her involvement in supporting the Defenders of Wildlife have also added to her donations with charities.	+
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-	Aguilera is still a major contributor in her hometown of Pittsburgh contributing regularly to the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. According to her official website, she toured the center and donated $200,000 to the shelter. She also has auctioned off front row seats and back stage passes for the Pittsburgh based charity.	+
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-	She also supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Refuge UK.	+
-	Aguilera contributes in the fight against AIDS, by participating in AIDS Project Los Angeles' Artists Against AIDS "What's Going On?" cover project. In 2004 Aguilera became the new face for cosmetic company M•A•C and spokesperson for M•A•C AIDS Fund. Aguilera appeared in advertisements of the M•A•C's Viva Glam V lipstick and lipgloss. According to published reports, in November 2005, all of her wedding gifts were submitted to various charities around the nation in support of Hurricane Katrina victims. In addition, Aguilera contributed to YouthAIDS by posing for a joint YouthAIDS and Aldo Shoes campaign for "Empowerment Tags" in Canada, the U.S. and the UK. She was featured with one of three ubiquitous slogans, "Speak No Evil?" and was quoted saying, "HIV is something that people don't want to talk about, hear about, or face."	+
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-	According to Billboard, singer <a href="http://www.kevo.com/profile/sireltonjohn">Elton John</a> hand-picked Aguilera, among others, for his Fashion Rocks concert benefiting his AIDS foundation. The show, which accompanies music and fashion to benefit the fight against AIDS/HIV, is televised annually and aired in September.	+

		+	<a href="http://www.glitteratigossip.com/glitterati/christina_aguilera/index.html" target=new>Christina Aguilera @ GliterratiGossip.com</a> - Get glittering news and gossip on this celeb and many more.

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karma

Carrie Underwood: Updated Biography

Approved 770 days ago. Posted 770 days ago by kimberwyn

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-	<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Carrie Underwood</strong></span>	+	Underwood's musical influences include pop and rock, but are predominantly country; she stated during Idol auditions that her favorite singer is Martina McBride. On the April 20 elimination show, Underwood demonstrated her ability to play the guitar (she can also play piano and yodel.)

-	<strong>Carrie Marie Underwood</strong> (born March 10, 1983) is best known for her going down fame’s easy street after getting directions as the winner of the fourth season of the show that has become a national phenomenon, “American Idol.”	+	On the March 22 show, after a performance of Heart's "Alone", Simon Cowell said, "Carrie, you're not just the girl to beat, you're the person to beat. I will make a prediction, not only will you win this competition, but you will sell more records than any other previous 'Idol' winner!" He went onto say on the March 30 show that she has the "it factor" that will make her a star.

-	Since her introduction onto America’s television screens, she has become a three-time Grammy-award winning American country music singer, and a multi-platinum selling recording artist. Her debut album, <em>Some Hearts</em>, was the fastest selling debut album of any of her "American Idol" contemporaries, the fastest selling country album of all time, and certified quintuple platinum, and is the fastest selling debut country album of all time.	+	On May 25, 2005, she became the fourth winner of American Idol, beating Southern rocker Bo Bice, and she joins Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken as the only contestants who have never been one of the "bottom three" singers during any week's results. She is the farthest to ever get on Idol with a country background.

-	Underwood became the first “American Idol” winner to sweep all three major music awards, including one American Music Award, eight Billboard Music Awards, and two