The Liberation Of Christina Aguilera

The pop star with the powerful pipes has dealt with it all—from loathsome music execs to criticism of her looks and love life. In this raw, personal, and vulnerable interview, she finally sets her demons free.

- Kate Williams

Christina Aguilera is in pain.

Today, it’s not the psychological or emotional kind—although she’s certainly entitled to those, after a traumatic childhood and years of battling her way through a notoriously cruel industry. This time, it’s physical. As she sits in her dimly lit studio on a sunny L.A. afternoon, the diva with the legendary voice has blood on her hands. Literally.

“Sorry, my ear is bleeding,” she says, then adds, “lovely for your article.” She dabs at a brand-new piercing on her upper right ear, taking the wound in stride. Christina, 37, is wedged into the corner of a black couch, black blanket around her legs, coffee mug in her clutches. She’s barefaced, wearing a (you guessed it) black T-shirt and black pants, projecting a majorly chill vibe. Is this really the daring star who once made headlines with skunk-stripe hair highlights and a triple-tongue stage kiss with Britney and Madonna? Well, yes…and no.

“When I first started out, I would never have dreamed of doing an interview without makeup on,” she says. She’d never have imagined going totally natural on an album cover either. But her latest record, Liberation, bears a photo of Christina with messy, damp hair—still platinum but sans extensions—and wait, are those freckles? “I still love getting glammed up, but I want to show imperfections on this go-round,” she says.

Don’t be fooled though. This isn’t a comeback story or a reinvention. It’s a reveal, and it’s courageous. “It’s scary, but I’m up for the challenge. You can’t tell me something I haven’t already heard about myself anyway.”