Looking every inch the diva, Christina Aguilera sashays into the room of The

Four Seasons Hotel, carrying her little dog, Stinky in her arms. Finely manicured red

nails match her lip stain exactly, while the platinum hair only adds to the inevitable

Marilyn Monroe comparisons. Standing just a diminutive 5'1", the Staten Island native

is smaller in real life than her stage and screen image, which lately has been bigger than

life itself. What we have here folks is a bona fide movie star, already having conquered

the music world with numerous number one songs, her first being the 1999 breakout

hit, "Genie in a Bottle."

 

And the singer/songwriter/actress, now star judge of NBC's surprise hit "The

Voice," is quieter than the booming, melodious, four octave range voice that has sold

over 20 millions records – both in English and Spanish – and won many awards,

including a Grammy for best new female artist and World's Best Selling Latin female

artist at the World Music Awards in 2001. The bilingual singer's self-titled debut album

went platinum 10 times over and her fourth studio album released last June was a

resounding success. Her starring role in "Burlesque" as Ali Rose, was well received by

both critics and audiences alike. And her new role as a judge on "The Voice" is exciting

for both old and new fans.

 

All these accolades take a back seat though to motherhood. Marrying music

marketing executive Jordan Bratman at a lavish Napa Valley estate wedding November

19, 2005, Aguilera gave birth to son, Max Liron early in 2008. Sadly, Aguilera filed for

divorce on October 14, 2010 but the couple remain committed to raising Max with shared

family values. Catching up with this former Mickey Mouse Musketeer is a unique, fun-

filled experience enveloping everyone around her in the tornado she calls life.

 
Questions for Christina on behalf of CATALINA:

Q:  You can sing, dance and showed your acting skills to rave reviews. Is there room in showbiz for people who can only sing?

A. Yeah. I mean, there are people that only do one thing or another. I think it just really matters what you excel at, you know? I'm thankful that I [can] do both singing and dancing

 
Q. Ryan Gosling recently said that working on the Mickey Mouse Club, he felt like it wasn't right for him being there – alongside you, Justin Timberlake and Brittany Spears. Have you ever felt a moment where you were like: I might not be right for this or maybe this might not be right for me?

A. When you're exhausted and you're tired and overworked … there are moments that you just want to throw in the towel or give up. But of course I never have. You know, there is that inner drive – that inner passion and that inner performer that won't let me give up.

 
Q. You look like you do everything so well. What drives you to do better for yourself?

A. Thank you. I try. I am a perfectionist so I really don't let myself do less than my very, very best. Even if I do a good take in the studio, I will then say "Okay, let's try to beat it." Because I'm always looking for bettering myself and thinking how I can grow. How can I learn? How can I change and evolve? I mean, that's what I'm all about. I think a lot of the pain in my past does drive me to do better. But now I'm starting to feel that a lot of positive is inspiring me to do better.

Q. Being so recognizable, do you miss the little things in life like grocery shopping?

A. I do. I really do. I love grocery shopping. I love seeing the new products that come out. I'm a big packaging nut. Like, I love seeing the package. If you put a frickin' cute thing on a box, I'll be like "Oh, I want it!" So I do miss it kind of. But I still try to go late at night when nobody is there. I have a chef and I see commercials so I'm like "I'm going to have him get me that kind of Dorito."

Q. Without getting too personal, it's known you are going through a difficult time in your life now. What things are you doing now and looking forward to so you can do the best thing for your son and for yourself?

A. Well, I am doing the best thing for my child and for myself. That's part of the process of what I'm going through right now. You know, I'm a smart girl and there are reasons why I make the choices that I do. Ultimately, I'm just looking out for my son's happiness. That's my most important goal in life. It's why I work, it's why I work hard, it's the example I want to set for him. And then balancing that with making sure when I can't be there that he's in good hands. He's such a character; he never stops smiling or laughing, so I know I'm doing something right. I think not losing sight of who I am during the process too, is important. If someone I feel is trying to change me in a way that just isn't me or I feel too held back, then I know that the situation is not right for me.

Q. Your son is still very young but would you like him to have a musical career?

A. No, I want him to have something that he strongly feels passionate about. That's probably what I do too in setting an example by my drive and my goals. And for him to then want to set them for himself, no matter what that might be. I don't care if he's in the entertainment industry or not. He is very musically inclined already so I think he might do something in entertainment.
 

Q. What would you say is your motto?

A. Be a strong female, a strong woman – don't be afraid of the flack that goes along with that.

.


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