Fashion

7 Times Christina Aguilera Was Totes Body Positive

by Courtney Mina

Most of us, whether we are straight-sized or plus-sized, have struggled with body image at some point in our lives, which is why the body positive movement is so profoundly relevant, important, and in need of happening right now. Fortunately, there are many celebrities who are also jumping on the body positive bandwagon (yes!) and it should come as no surprise that the bombshell pop sensation and singer Christina Aguilera supports body positivity.

As someone who has (basically) forever been plus-size, it's always been important to me to have strong, body positive role models in the mainstream media. Quite often, their voices tend to be louder and carry further, so it becomes vital for these celebrities to promote positive attitudes and beliefs when it comes to our society and culture. Celebrities such as Rebel Wilson, Melissa McCarthy, and Adele have all addressed body image issues and supported body positivity (being plus-size ladies themselves), but what about the celebrities who we don't associate with being plus-size?

Growing up as a teen girl, I absolutely idolized Christina Aguilera. That powerful voice, that gorgeous face, and that ever-evolving style that went from "dirty" to "classic" (but always kept things "bombshell") continually had me enthralled.

But it never occurred to be that during all that time that The Voice judge was dealing with her own body image issues. Someone that conventionally "perfect," thin, and gorgeous couldn't possibly feel insecure about herself, right? How very wrong I was. As it turns out, even the seemingly "perfect" humans deal with body image issues, proving that insecurity knows no boundaries. However, because of her own experiences with people always judging her by her weight and her aesthetics, Christina Aguilera holds body positivity close to her heart as something profoundly important. So with this in mind, let's take a look at seven times Xtina was body positive, proving that we are all beautiful, bombshell babes:

1. That Time She Wrote The Song "Beautiful"

"We are beautiful, in every single way, words won't bring us down," is the message in the gorgeous, poetic song "Beautiful," sung by Xtina herself. Her message rings loud and clear to everyone: That we are all beautiful, and not to let the words and opinions of others affect that fact. Girl, sing it.

2. That Time She Got Dirty

When the song "Dirty" was released back in 2002 (O.M.G. that's 13 years ago, you guys) Xtina was immediately slut-shamed by many, as humans tend to do whenever a woman takes control and expresses her own sexuality. But the real message here (besides wanting to, you know, "get dirty") was to encourage women to embrace their own bodies and sexualities. If you want to dress skimpy and show off some skin, then girl, that's your right.

3. That Time She Was On Point About Body Confidence

“I don’t weigh myself — it’s all about how I feel in my clothes. What looks good on one person might not look good on another body type. I happen to be very confident in my own skin. It takes time to get to that place, but it’s all about embracing yourself and your body," Aguilera told Marie Claire in an interview. Every woman should follow Christina's lead on this, as it's seriously on point when it comes to the body positive movement.

4. That Time She Defended Her Weight Gain

While on tour promoting her album Stripped, the previously svelte pop singer gained 15 pounds — which immediately upset her label, who claimed that her weight gain would negatively affect the company and everyone involved with her career.

To this, though, Christina responded with quite the act of (necessary) rebellion: "During the promotion of my album Stripped (in 2002), I got tired of being a skinny, white girl. I am Ecuadorian, but people felt so safe passing me off as a skinny, blue-eyed white girl. The next time my label saw me, I was heavier, darker, and full of piercings! Let me tell you, that wasn't an easy pill for them to swallow." Way to embrace your natural body with no apologies, Christina — I love it.

5. That Time She Put The Music Industry In Its Place

When it came time for her Lotus album recording, Christina recalled confronting her label in an interview with Billboard Magazine, saying she told them, "'You are working with a fat girl. Know it now and get over it.' They need a reminder sometimes that I don't belong to them. It's my body. My body can't put anyone in jeopardy of not making money anymore — my body is just not on the table that way anymore." Damn right, girl. Damn right.

6. That Time She Showed That Eating Is Sexy

In one of her most recent music videos for "Your Body," Christina can be seen embracing her new, fuller body and natural curves in seriously colorful, sparkling, sexy, glittering glory. In one of the scenes in this downright gorgeous video, Christina is shown eating a bowl of sugary, junkie cereal — proving that not only is less-than-healthy eating normal sometimes, but that it can be totally sexy, too. With her new "thicker" figure being a main feature in this video, I can't help but think that this scene with the cereal had a not-so-hidden cheeky message behind it. We all love food, you guys. Embrace it, and embrace your natural body.

7. That Time She Had Zero F*cks To Give

After battling the negative opinions of the media and the pressure from her label, Christina has finally come to a place where she has zero f*cks to give when it comes to other people's opinions about her body. She told Marie Claire , "I've been through my highs, I've been through my lows; I've been through the gamut of all things in this business. Being too thin. Being bigger. I've been criticized for being on both sides of the scale. It's noise I block out automatically. I love my body. My boyfriend loooves my body. My son is healthy and happy, so that's all that matters to me." Wise words, Miss Thang. Keep on promoting body positivity, and keep on doing you.

Images: Getty Images; Giphy