Christina Aguilera closed out the year by addressing critics of her appearance. On December 31, the five-time Grammy winner, aged 44, took to Instagram to share a video montage reflecting on her 2024 as the New Year approached. The video commenced with screenshots of disparaging comments aimed at her appearance, followed by highlights from her eventful year.
In the video, Aguilera included audio discussing the importance of disregarding negativity and maintaining self-confidence. She captioned the post with a powerful message, stating, “This year, doing something a little different. This is a reminder to everyone that you are your OWN STORYTELLER in your OWN LIFE. No one else can dictate who you are. No one deserves an explanation. I am evolved enough to know that nothing comes easy and no one is perfect. Everyone will judge you. No matter WHAT you do. And/ or what you don’t do.”
The singer continued, emphasizing the significance of self-acceptance, resilience, and personal growth: “Acceptance comes with accepting yourself first. And the difficult journey it takes sometimes to get there. I celebrate everyone taking the time to put one step in front of the next every day in order to build the next version of themselves for the better. Allowing yourself grace, patience, and respect…”
Reflecting on her past experiences, Aguilera has been candid about her struggles with body image and the impact of societal pressures. In an interview with Glamour in August, she revealed how her perception of her body has evolved over the years, particularly after facing body shaming early in her career. The renowned artist expressed how the industry’s fixation on her weight had a profound effect on her self-esteem, noting, “When you’re a teenager, you have a very different body than when you’re in your 20s.”
Aguilera further disclosed the challenges she encountered as her body changed and the criticisms she faced, stating, “I started to fill out, and then that was unacceptable because it was like, ‘Oh, she’s getting thicker.’ Then I had industry people: ‘They liked your body and how you were as a skinny teenager.’”
Despite the pressures she has navigated, Aguilera emphasized her journey towards self-assurance and resilience, asserting, “I have a maturity now where I just don’t give a f— about your opinion. I’m not going to take it on. It must be your responsibility to take up your space. Other people’s opinions of me are not my business.”
As a mother of two, Aguilera aims to instill values of self-acceptance and confidence in her children. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, she highlighted her efforts to encourage her son Max, aged 16, and daughter Summer, aged 10, to embrace their individuality and feel comfortable in their own skin. She emphasized, “Defining beauty for me is about feeling comfortable in your own skin, and that
