Julia Roberts is dominating the box office with two fizzy rom-coms.
The song, of course, is Genie in a Bottle.
Or more specifically, inside her private recording studio.
LAPOINTE dress.Skims bandeau.
Saint Laurent dress.Sergio Hudson cape.
She seems peaceful, content, happy.
Being thankful because it got my foot in the door.
Saint Laurent dress.Sergio Hudson cape.
After 25 years Im so proud of it.
There are many elements that go into being able to build something.
“I have a lot of fun re-creating Genie in a Bottle, she says.
Saint Laurent dress.Sergio Hudson cape.
Its really fun to be able to creatively do different things with those songs from the first album.
Her father was an Army manand, Aguilera has alleged, abusive.
It gave me a real purpose of, Im going to fight my way through these feelings.
Skims bodysuit.
Im going to fight my way past someone that has wronged me.
By age 15 she was in New York City with one goal: landing a record deal.
In a matter of months, her position as teen-pop royalty was solidified.
Roberto Cavalli top.Panconesi earrings.
They arrived at a pivotal time in pop, when candy-coated, seemingly factory-made acts reigned supreme.
I didnt love the bubblegum thing, where you had to play a virgin but not act like one.
But it was clear Aguilera had something a little different.
Mainly thatvoice, which undeniably had more range and grit than her direct peers.
Early critics were quick to noteAguileras powerhouse pipesin a way that set her apart from the herd.
When I was performing Genie and What a Girl Wants and Come on Over, I got bored easily.
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Creatively, it was one-dimensional.
She also barely had time to breathe.
Literally every second [of my life then] was accounted for in a schedule, she says.
LET’S SWIM dress.Norma Kamali bikini.
You cant just live your life for work where its unenjoyable.
You get burnt out.
By 2000 Aguilera became exactly that.
Power through became her mantra; there were no mental-health check-ins, no meaningful time off.
I was navigating it all by myself, Aguilera says.
She needs a minute to really work on her thing creatively.
Roberto Cavalli top.Panconesi earrings.
It shocked everyone, it was all we could talk about, were still talking about it.
It was during this era that Xtina, her defiant alter ego, was born.
At face value, its a soaring ballad about embracing your individuality.
The backlash toStrippedwas immediate and inevitable.
Another called her the worlds skeeziest reptile woman.
But Aguilera had never felt more sure about her art.
Her legacy is teaching people to stay true to who they are.
She realized there were people feeling othered by how prom king and queen pop had become at that moment.
Other peoples opinions of me are not my business.
Jessica Simpson, youll recall, was globally lambasted forwearing mom jeans as a size 27.
Aguilera inevitably fell victim to the body-policing vultures.
Bronx and Banco dress.
Then I had industry people: They liked your body and how you were as a skinny teenager.
I have a maturity now where I just dont give a fuck about your opinion.
Im not going to take it on, she says.
It must be your responsibility to take up your space.
Other peoples opinions of me are not my business.
Aguilera hopes to instill this mindset in her children.
Your kids trigger things in you that you dont want them to go through, she says.
And its almost like youre reliving this whole thing again.
Max recently turned 16,Summer is 10, and more than ever shes feeling the pressure of parenting.
Ive seen so much so young, Aguilera says.
You just want the best for your kids.
(I offer her another tissue.)
But they have to learn their own lessons.
One lesson Aguilera is learning as a mom in real time is how to let go.
She adds, Theyre going to make their own choices and mistakes that define how they want to be.
When Summer pops in the room unexpectedly, Aguilera warms even more.
Are you coming to check on me?
Aguilera asks her daughter.
Shes like, Why do you have cry-face?
Were just talking about how much I love you.
Is [my tutor] coming?
Oh, thats a good question, Aguilera says softly.
She had to cancel at the last, last minute.
She said shes coming Monday or Tuesday, Aguilera answers.
Thats her personal business, but she had to cancel, my love.
Summer in particular loves hanging with the band and often joins her mom on stage for her final number.
But I truly do enjoy being home base and accessible to my kids.
Im not here to be a programmed robot.
Im here as a human being first before being a celebrity.
This decision reflects a larger shift in Aguileras mind since the Genie andStrippedyears.
But now shes keenly aware how all of thisher talent, fame, and successserves a larger purpose.
When youre a mom, its not about narcissism.
Its not just about you.
Still, this doesnt mean shes lost her drive to keep creating.
Fans will be thrilled to learn a new English-language album is coming.
Ive been accumulating [songs], she says, not sharing details.
Im actually dying to get it out.
I just havent fully had time.
When Aguilera is off-duty, shes probably organizing her house asSchitts Creekplays in the background.
Shes also watchingThe Reluctant Traveleron Apple TV+, which chronicles actor Eugene Levys trips around the world.
Theres something so cozy about travel shows, she says.
Aguilera doesnt have much of an interest in going out these days, either.
I just love my space at home, she says.
Unwinding sometimes means winedry, cold, whiteand her pool.
I love a night swim, she says.
LET’S SWIM dress.Norma Kamali bikini.
As our 80-minute conversation winds down,I cant resist sharing with Aguilera my favorite songs of hers.
Theres Bobblehead from 2010sBionic, a strange, warbly electro track that makesCharli XCXsBratsound tame.
And Prima Donna (also onBionic), a thunderous relic of 2010s recession pop at its most decadent.
I love that, Aguilera says about my choices.
I love how people have these random takes sometimes.
Sitting beside me in her home studio, Aguilera fully embodies that word:grown.
This time in my life is about super-awareness, she says.
I know where Ive been.
I know what Ive loved.
I know what I havent loved.
And now, more than ever, I just feel more wide-awake and more aware and more understanding.
Im not here to be a programmed robot.
Im here as a human being first before being a celebrity.
Photographer:Christine HahnStylist:Ryan YoungHair:Jesus GuerreroMakeup:Hector EspinalManicure:Zola GanzorigtProducer:Rowan Productions
