Christina Aguilera

One of the most accomplished performers of the last decade, Christina Aguilera has sold well over 25 million albums worldwide and cultivated a fan base that crosses generational, racial and gender lines.

Aguilera's backstory is well-known. A native of Staten Island, the pre-teen began performing in local talent shows while growing up in Pennsylvania. In 1992, after appearing on "Star Search," she joined the cast of the Disney Channel's "The New Mickey Mouse Club," alongside such future stars as Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Keri Russell.

In 1998 Aguilera's song 'Reflection' for Disney's Mulan led to a record deal with RCA and the release of her self-titled debut album in Summer, 1999. The album quickly hit #1 on the strength of its first dance/pop single, 'Genie In A Bottle' (which dominated the charts for five weeks) and other chart toppers including 'What A Girl Wants.' It was a feat she would repeat the following year with 'Mi Reflejo', the smash Spanish-language version of her debut, followed by her hit holiday release, 'My Kind Of Christmas'.

In 2001 Aguilera joined forces with Pink, Mya and Lil' Kim on the smash 'Lady Marmalade' single and video. That eye-popping slice of ear candy kept her front and center in the international spotlight even as she began, slowly and steadily, to lay the groundwork for her second album, 'Stripped'. Released in October 2002, it sealed her status as an international superstar while transforming her previous squeaky-clean image into a fully sexualized woman. Along with the superheated funk of the album's provocative debut single, 'Dirrty' came such standout tracks as 'Beautiful', 'Can't Hold Us Down' and 'Make Over'.

Christina took on Billie Holiday, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald with vintage jazz, soul and blues from the 1920s, '30s and '40s, on her third studio album Back to Basics, which was followed by her best of album, ‘Keeps Gettin’ Better’.

Today, while devoting the lion's share of her time to recording and touring, the 25-year-old is active in a range of philanthropy. A major contributor to the fight against AIDS, Aguilera has participated in the "What's Going On?" cover project for AIDS Project Los Angeles' Artists Against AIDS. In 2004 she became the new face for MAC cosmetic company and spokesperson for the MAC AIDS Fund. More recently she became involved in awareness campaigns with YouthAIDS and ALDO. She also sponsors and is actively involved in the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh for battered women and children.