“I Am A Fighter and I Ain’t Goin’ Stop”: Christina Aguilera’s Costumes in Fighter Music Video

Some days ago I published a post I had wanted to write since the early 1990s and today I’m removing another stone from my shoes, figuratively speaking. In the early 2000s I was out of university; after some years spent working in the world of fashion marketing, I decided to go back to university to attend a post-gratuate school to become a teacher. In those years I started listening to Christina Aguilera, I fell in love with her voice and I even wrote my final essay on her music videos from the Stripped era. Among those, Fighter has always been my favourite. Directed by Floria Sigismondi [1], it showed a darker and more mysterious side of Christina, thanks a very peculiar imagery and dramatic costumes.

Last November I had the chance to speak about those costumes with Merlito Pabatao, who asked me if I knew who made them. After finding out that Carol Beadle was the stylist who worked on that video, I contacted her. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I received her reply: she explained everything in detail, which I can’t wait to share with you. Eleven years have passed since then, but I’m pretty sure there are other people like me who are still excited about learning more about it.

The video, whose concept was inspired to the life cycle of moths, is about transformation. Sigismondi said: “It’s basically about coming from a very poisoned place to an empowerment, a place of strength.” This obviously referred to Aguilera’s decision to break free from her previous teen pop princess persona and let her more complex and grown-up self come out. Three are the stages through which the moth Christina through, each of which has a specific outfit.

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Voice (Season 5), Final Results

Have I died and gone to disco glam heaven? This was my first thought this morning when I saw pictures from the finale of The Voice. Christina looked simply smashing but that’s not the only noteworthy detail of the show’s final episode. Lots of guest singers (Celine Dion, OneRepublic, Paramore, Ne-Yo, Aloe Blacc, among the others) sang live, but the stage also witnessed the return of all the team members of this edition. Only three made it to the end, but I’m glad the show gave everybody the opportunity to perform again.

And now back to Christina. What can I say? She blew me away with a disco queen look, curly mega hair, minimal make-up and super-long lashes. This season I’ve appreciated most of her outfits but probably this one is among my favourites.

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Voice (Season 5), Final Performances

Can you believe the 5th season of The Voice has finally stepped into its final phase? Yesterday the three finalists – Will Champlin, Tessanne Chin and Jacquie Lee – performed and tonight the winner will be announced. It was a busy episode for Christina, too, who performed live twice and gave us three outfit changes.

After sticking to black and white outfits for many weeks, she opted for a baby blue look which really suited her. She wore a custom-made party dress by her stylist Simone Harouche – beaded bodice and multi-layer organza skirt with big bow on the back. The look was inspired to Cinderella and was a homage to Christina’s Disney roots. It’s not my favourite outfit of the season, but she looked lovely.

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Voice (Season 5), Semi-final Results

Now that the 5th season of The Voice is coming to its end, I can draw some conclusions. It’s clear Christina and her stylist DON’T read this blog, but I like the fact that whenever she sports a so-and-so or disappointing look, it’s certain the next will be smashing. I totally dig her decision to keep on wearing black and white clothes, because such a combination is the epitome of chic and class.

Last night she blew me away! It’s such a prim and proper look, something I’d like to see on her more often. She wore a cute Peter Pan double-collar silk white shirt, black trousers and diamond jewellery. Thank God, the bizarre winter wonderland around her eyes disappeared, replaced by gorgeous smokey eyes, dark red lips and flawless cheeks. I don’t even want to comment on her updo, because you know I love chignons.

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Voice (Season 5), Semi-final Performances

The 5th season of The Voice is quickly reaching its final phase. Yesterday the last five contestants performed live for the semi-finals and tomorrow only four of them will go on with the competition. At the same time, Christmas holidays are just around the corner, and you can actually feel a festive atmosphere in the show. This can be definitely seen in the outfit sported by Christina.

She wore a lovely black dress with silver lurex thread and a cut-out suede belt. She looked nice, but the centre-parted wavy hair and the make-up not so much. This hairstyle didn’t suit her at all, and the same can be said for the make-up, which made her look too pale, especially under the eyes. Her make-up artist Scott Barnes explained he wanted to create his own “winter wonderland around the eyes”… I guess he overdid things a bit.

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Voice (Season 5), Top 6 Live Eliminations

It’s just a case that you’re reading this post. I’ve tried to find screencaps of yesterday’s episode of The Voice – the Top 6 live eliminations, which sent Matthew Schuler home – but nothing. For this reason, the only thing I can do is writing it using the few pictures I’ve found online. I’m so sorry about it, but not living in the US and watching the show live makes everything more complicated. Did any pre-recorded scenes air? What did she wear in them? I have no idea, but I promise I’ll update the post as soon as I can get my hands on good pictures.

Awww, sexy! I love when Christina plays with fashion and dares to sport looks she’s never tried before. She’s definitely not famous for playing with the mix of masculine and feminine, but she surprised me with a nice outfit which actually mixed the two elements. She wore a pinstriped shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a pair of skinny jeans, red and blue suspenders and a nice felt hat.

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Voice (Season 5), Top 6 Live Performances

Do you know what’s the first thing that came to my mind when I saw pics from yesterday’s episode of The Voice? For the night Christina turned herself into Sandy Olsson, the nice and sweet high-school protagonist of Grease. She totally looked like the naughty Sandy we get to know at the end of the story – sexy in her skin-tight outfit and short biker jacket.

Christina wore a cropped leather biker jacket and a black and white bandage dress. Her hair was styled in a messy French twist, while her make-up was focused on her red lips. The result was really glamourous, even if I must admit this is probably my least favourite look so far, because it’s a bit predictable.

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, November 28th, 2013

I suspect Christina Aguilera has found the way to turn back time and she’s clearly enjoying it. That’s what I first thought when I saw the pictures from the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, recorded on November 27th and aired the day after, on Thanksgiving. It was a special episode with US troops in the audience; for the occasion, Christina paid homage to herself by singing Candyman and wearing the same embellished hat she had worn in many performances in 2007.

Didn’t she look amazing? She wore a diamanté black body-suit, a gold and black striped shirt and sparkling heels. She also wore full make-up, which was totally appropriate since her performance included a dance routine. I’m loving her neutral make-up phase, but sometimes a more striking showgirl look is necessary!

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Voice (Season 5), Top 8 Live Results

Sky’s the limit, sang Notorious B.I.G. in one of his best songs, and I think Christina Aguilera has taken the advice of the late rapper pretty seriously. I can say the look she sported yesterday at the Top 8 live results of The Voice is the best so far. Fresh-faced and shining in gold/bronze hues, she was simply stunning.

Everything was flawless, including her neutral make-up and hairstyle. David Babaii, Christina’s hair stylist, probably doesn’t even know of what I write here, but let’s say I’m happy my wish of seeing her with an updo has become true. David took Grace Kelly as source of inspiration, such a great example of timeless elegance.

Her outfit included a tie-neck blouse by Saint Laurent Signature, made of black silk and gold polyester lamé, worn with Rag & Bone black skinny jeans and a black strapless bra.

Christina Aguilera’s Style: The Voice (Season 5) – Top 8 Live Performances

The Internet is still buzzing about Christina Aguilera’s appearance at the American Music Awards 2013, but yesterday another episode of The Voice aired, so it’s time to move on. The competition is entering its pre-final phase, with the Top 8 live performances and eliminations. I didn’t watch the whole episode, but I was glad to catch Tessanne Chin’s rendition of No Doubt’s Underneath It All. It’s one of my favourite songs by the American group and I think she really did justice to it.

Christina was smouldering in a black and royal blue jacquard long-sleeved dress, wavy hair and glamourous make-up. She is still keeping things simple and classy, definitely a much-welcomed style choice.