Christina Aguilera Defends Her ‘Not Myself Tonight’ Video
Christina Aguilera’s music video for her new single, ‘Not Myself Tonight’, has been facing heavy criticism for its overtly sexual content. However, the vocal powerhouse, whose new album, ‘Bionic’, will be released on June 8th, has not taken such comments lightly. Here is what Aguilera had to say to Access Hollywood about the flak she has been receiving from the press regarding the clip:
“Mama still has to be me,” she said. “I never claimed to be a cookie-cutter soccer mom. That’s all good for some people. Not for me.”
Aguilera — who, in previous interviews, has cited her two-year-old son, Max, as an inspiration for the songs on her upcoming ‘Bionic’ album — said that she doesn’t think the video is inappropriate, and added that just because she’s a mother, it doesn’t mean that she’s not also an artist, one who deals honestly and frankly with the subject of sexuality.
“[Max] is going to grow up in a household where he knows mommy expresses herself artistically and some of that will have to reflect itself sexually too, at times,” she said. “He’s going to learn to respect the fact that women are allowed to express themselves and not feel shameful about their bodies or their sexuality.”
She added that while Max is already a fan of the songs on ‘Bionic’, he’s not shy about expressing his allegiance to another of his mother’s pop contemporaries.
“He’s really into Rihanna,” Aguilera said. “And he does say ‘Put in mama’s song! Put in mama’s song!’ And then he goes, ‘Go cazy! Go cazy!’ It’s so cute.” {Source}
There is absolutely nothing wrong with women taking charge of their own bodies and expressing their sexuality in creative ways (Janet Jackson). Yet, it remains rather difficult to understand how shoving your oiled up breasts in a man’s face while dressed in nothing but thin red lingerie could be considered artistic. If Aguilera was truly demonstrating control of her sexuality she would not have portrayed herself as an object of sexual desire; conforming to the very same standards of sexual objectification that she claims to be overcoming. In other words, the only difference between this video and that of the girls in Nelly’s ‘Tip Drill’ is the absence of rappers, the infamous credit card swipe and a stack of dollar bills.
What makes even it more interesting is that Aguilera has a track record of ’selling sex’ in an effort to capture the public’s attention (see ‘Dirrty’). No wonder her son likes Rihanna – she wears just as much clothes as his mother.
Thoughts?
Filed Under: Christina Aguilera
mike
May 3, 2010 at 5:36 pm
LMAO @ TRENT
That last Rihanna comment was hilarious…but I agree with you 100%. I’m tired of these bitches using the phrase controlling their sexuality to cover up for their sluttish desires and their use of sex to sell records.
Christina must think the world is retarded. The last scene in that video is just so unnecessary!!!
BEYONCE VS. THE WORLD
May 3, 2010 at 5:36 pm
CHRISKINKA SAVE IT FOR SOMEONE WHO CARES
kenney
May 3, 2010 at 5:41 pm
@ trent- quit posting this bullshit. CHRISTINA HAS ALWAYS HAD THAT SEXUAL PROVOCATIVE IMAGE AND SHE CAN’T STRESS ENOUGH THAT SHE DOESN’T GIVE A FUCK WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT HER.
NOBODY EVER MENTIONS THE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT VIDEOS LADY GAG-ME MAKES PROMOTING MURDER, DRUGS AND SEX!
MADONNA HAS WHAT, 3 KIDS BUT SHE DOESN’T LET THAT AFFECT HER IN ANY WAY OF EXPRESSING HER SEXUALITY!
CHRISTINA WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO CATCH A BREAK AND I DON’T KNOW WHY. LADY GAG-ME GETS AWAY WITH SO MUCH SO I DON’T SEE WHY A VETERAN LIKE XTINA CAN’T EITHER! LET’S NOT FORGET THAT LADY GAG-ME BARELY WEARS ANYTHING IN ANY OF HER VIDEOS AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE GUYS LOOK LIKE THEY ABOUT TO STICK THEIR DICK IN HER AND Y’ALL WANT TO PRAISE IT? BUT NO CHRISTINA SHOULD COVER UP?
CHRISTINA AIN’T GOIN NO WHERE AND TRENT IF U DON’T LIKE IT FUCK U!
cazeh
May 3, 2010 at 5:43 pm
if you don’t care, Beyoncé vs. the World, save your comment for someone who cares. thanks
Gucci
May 3, 2010 at 5:45 pm
FLOPtina needs to give it up and re-think this new album because that song and video are a mess.
And as for the Rihanna comments, Trentisha hun, when you going to stop sucking her clit? You don’t even like girls sweetie. We know already!
cvt
May 3, 2010 at 5:45 pm
BOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LUV CHRISTINA
cold case love
May 3, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I have my head stuck up Rihanna’s ass!
Gucci
May 3, 2010 at 5:47 pm
@Kenny! COSIGN!
DanniB
May 3, 2010 at 5:48 pm
hm, I have to disagree. I’d say the difference is she’s doing it on her terms, and obviously taking control of the situation,which from a male’s perspective may look dangerously similar to being objectified, but its very different.
I wouldn’t dare compare her to Rihanna, it hurt me that she was even mentioned, and that’s all i’ll say on the matter.
I dont see anyone commenting on the scantily clad MEN in this..
Gucci
May 3, 2010 at 5:49 pm
When Lady gaga or Beyonce start pussy popping it’s “art”
When anyone else does it, it’s selling sex.
Sweetie, direct yourself to any Lil’ Wayne video/song and come again? I don’t see that as a big scandal? YES i HATE the song and video from Xtina but I’m still smart enough to call bullshit on you miserable ass queens
DanniB
May 3, 2010 at 5:49 pm
p.s. Christina sings her ass of. point.blank.period.
…..I don’t even know why we’re analyzing her on this level. Don’t act like you don’t already know what the deal is..
RANDOM
May 3, 2010 at 5:59 pm
actually in the gaga video she was a whore for hire thats why she was riding him on the bed before he turned to dust and she smoked a cigarette.so avant gourd ……
she flashed(in that white outfit) her vagina cus people kept saying she had a dick but that is also soooo avant gourd
gotta love the double standards
BEYONCE VS. THE WORLD
May 3, 2010 at 6:04 pm
CHRISTUNA IS SO SAD
Anonymous
May 3, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Yea not seeing the creativity at all. If she thinks songs like these are going to be beneficial to her career in the long run she’s wrong.
crown
May 3, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I don’t like it, it doesnt feel or look right…i couldnt even believe what i was watching
JUST SAYING/ME
May 3, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I hate when people who can realllly sing, sing songs that people who can’t sing, can sing. Stay true to what you are capable of. All the gimmicks out there WISH they could sing like Christina or Monica. Dont hide it.
JayCred
May 3, 2010 at 6:47 pm
I said this all before when the video first came out, who the hell cares if she has a kid? If you’re in shape and still feel sexy, then be sexy! She worked the hell out of the video. I’m glad she speaks up for what she’s doing, her voice is an art in itself so even if the visual ‘art’ isn’t working for you, the ‘hearing art’ should be enough. I officially love this song as well.
Can’t wait for Bionic!
ADE
May 3, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Get yo shit together Christina!
The Art Argument
May 3, 2010 at 7:02 pm
There’s no way to argue what counts as art and what doesn’t. Art is in the eye of the beholder. So one person will take what GaGa does and consider it trash, while another will praise it as an avant garde art statement. Same goes for Xtina’s new video. To my eyes, GaGa is artistic and Xtina is desperate. That’s just my opinion, though.
sorry
May 3, 2010 at 7:09 pm
SORRY CHRISTINA THAT VIDEO IS INAPROPRIATE!!! THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN SAY TO DEFEND THAT MESS YOU CALL A VIDEO…DONT GET ME WRONG…THERE ARE SOME GREAT MOVES AND LOOKS IN IT, BUT OVERALL ITS FILTH…YOUR STRENGTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOUR VOICE…I THOUGHT YOU LEARNED YOUR LESSON FROM DIRTY..GUESS NOT!!
YOU DONT HAVE TO CONFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!! iTS IN YOUR VOICE!!!!!!!!
Dave
May 3, 2010 at 7:32 pm
All I know is, Bey & Gaga do it no prob, but someone whose being doing it for years, does it again & turns it up a bit more, it’s a prob. LAME! Don’t pick favorites, be real.
sorry
May 3, 2010 at 7:54 pm
@ Dave Ga ga went to far too……its not about favorites…its just too much…artist are not secure in there talent anymore..the video is average trash crack whore material…its just a step up from spectacular…uh huh…xtina is disrespecting her career and her voice with that vid…OMG
DANBOFFICIAL
May 3, 2010 at 8:00 pm
LOL trent is sexy!
DANBOFFICIAL
May 3, 2010 at 8:06 pm
LOL I love Trent!
sorry
May 3, 2010 at 8:11 pm
@Danbofficial, BYE noone will miss yo sorry ass. you dont mean anything to anyone especially on this site…..and FYI sOME MEN ACTUALLY HAVE RESPECT FOR WOMEN,,AND WOULD RATHER SEE WOMEN HAVE SOME DIGNITY AND SELFRESPECT ABOUT THEMSELVES…
ALL MEN ARE NOT HORNY PIGS…THAT DOESNT MAKE THEM HOMOS! YOU MAY NEED TO LOOK AT YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR…MIGHT HAVE SOME PROBLEMS OF YOUR OWN….VIDEO SUCKS SORRY!!!
rated x
May 3, 2010 at 8:48 pm
first of all Beyonce and Lady Gaga, are not mothers. so they can pussy pop all they want.
second, they never said, that their albums was about them being a mom or being married.
now I’m not knocking Christina for wanting to get a little attention and all that great shit, but what irkes me is that she said this new album was about her being married and being a mother. the new changes in her life..this video doesnt represent any of that shit she claims.
if she was gonna go back to her durty days, keep it real..if u gonna use britney spears and madonna as an inspiration for ur video, keep it real..dont try to act like u came up with this shit on ur own..and act all stink when people call ur azz out.
now why is she acting all shocked that this video is getting so much negative reviews?.
rated x
May 3, 2010 at 8:51 pm
shes one of the best singers out there, and it saddens me that shes using sex to sell this album..shes not even using her gift for this..
leave selling sex to them chicken heads who sounds like goats in heat.
theres nothing wrong being sexxy, showing ur nasty side, but damn, leave something to the imagination. this is ur first video off the album, and already ur selling sex..thats not a good look.
TheWise
May 3, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Awww it’s nice to see Christina draw inspiration from Gaga the visionary. No acknowledgment needed Chrissy.
Cory
May 3, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I think she gets more scrutiny that Madonna or Gaga is b/c when she first came out she had the wholesome image. Yeah she says it wasn’t really her but I think thats what people still remember and maybe also its b/c she can really SING you would think the voice and music spoke for itself and not so much the visual. Either way Im an Aguilera fan!
Pharis
May 3, 2010 at 10:18 pm
I think that argument regarding motherhood and creative expression is inherently biased as you rarely see these types of recriminations being directed towards men. No one asks these abysmal rappers to reel in the philandering and misogynism because they’ve manage to become sperm donors. So, to those of you who choose to flaunt your moral outrage, think about it first.
The criticism that I do lodge at Christina is that the video is completely flat and insipidly conventional. Come on, Hype Williams. How many times have we seen a variation of this video, just within the last year?! It’s time to move on. These entertainers are so quick to fiercely espouse their own originality, which has to be some kind of defense mechanism because I am convinced they know that there is nothing original about them. Hint: when everybody does it, it is no longer unique. I understand that Christina wants the hold on to the raunchy platinum blonde image and probably feels entitled to it because she has precedence, but while she was breastfeeding Gaga filled that niche. When Gaga first hit the scene my reaction was “not another platinum pop whore”, but Gaga seduces many with her gimmicky quirks….and it’s been working her for. Christina is legitimately talented, but I think that she will have to recreate her image. It’s not about fairness but reality.
MoMo
May 3, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I feel like alot of people are hypocrites make a long story short. When Christina came out with DIRTY she was married nor did she have a baby and you silly people still had an issue with her. To me she is one of the best entertainers, sings better than most of the black girls out today and she still can’t catch a break. I will defend Christina and Kelly til the day I die. There music is always interesting and sparks passion when I do anything cause those are the kinda entertatiners they are. You will have a reason with whatever she does so get over it. Last time I checked you weren’t perfect either.
LANDEN
May 3, 2010 at 10:43 pm
FIRST IF ALL, THE FEAR AND ARROGANCE TOWARD A WOMAN EXPRESSING
HERSELF IN A SEXUAL MANNER IS THE EXACT SAME REASON CHRISTINA
EMBARKED ON A MISSION IN 2001 TO INSPORE WOMAN TO EXPRESS THERESELVES
SEXUALLY AND NOT TO LET MEN ” HOLD THEM DOWN” SO TRENT, YOU FALL
RIGHT UNDER HER REASON FOR INSPIRING WOMAN TO EXPRESS THEMSELF
SEXUALLY. IF IT OFFENDS YOU SO MUCH, DONT KNOCK HER FOR IT. YOU HAVE
A CHANNEL CHANGER ON YOUR REMOTE. SO SIMPLY CHANGE THE CHANNEL
AND KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. NOBODIES TELLING YOU HOW TO DRESS OR
WHAT TO WEAR, AND THE LAST TIME I CHECKED, THE COUNTRY WAS FREE
AND AS LONG AS PRIVATE PARTS ARE COVERED, THERES NO CENSORSHIP
ON THIS TYPE OF ARTWORK. WHICH IS ACTUALLY CELEBRATING THE SEXINESS
OF THE HUMAN BODY, HEART, AND SOUL, THROUGH RHYTHM, AND DANCE.
TRENT, PEOPLE LIKE YOU JUST INSPIRE HER TO STRIVE HARDER. GOOD LUCK
LITTLE MAN. OH AND JUST A FEW MORE THINGS. LAST TIME I CHECKED CHRSITINA
DISPLAYS SEVERAL FACETS OF HERSELF ON EACH ALBUM. FIGHTER VIDEO DIS
PLAYED THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME LOSS IN THE FACE OF ANIMOSITY AND
BEWILDEREMENT. THE VOICE WITHIN TEACHES PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO THERE
HEARTS, AND BEAUTIFUL TEACHES PEOPLE THAT REGARDLESS OF THERE SIZE
FACEIAL APPEARANCE, OR LOOK, THERE STILL BEAUTIFUL. SHIT JUST ASK EMINEM.
ANYWAY, SHES BEEN ON THIS MISSION SINCE 2001, AND SHES CRANKED IT UP
A COUPLE NOTCHES AND I DOUBT YOUR GOING TO SWAY ANYONE INTO CHANGING
THERE OPINION ON SOMETHING THAT CAUSES ANY STATEMENT YOU MAKE TO
FALL UNDER THE REASON SHES DOING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE ANYWAY? ARE YOU
AN IDIOT OR JUST CONFUSED??
Oppa
May 3, 2010 at 10:48 pm
SHE MAY BE WEARING THIN LINGERIE AND SHOVING HER BOOBS TO A GUY’S FACE BUT IT IS PORTRAYED THAT SHE IS THE ONE IN CHARGE, THE ONE TAKING THE LEAD. AND NOT LIKE THE GIRLS IN THOSE RAPPER VIDEOS THAT ACT AS AN ACCESSORY, WEARING THONGS AND SHAKING THEIR ASSES FOR THE MEN AT THE FOREFRONT.
THERE’S A DIFFERENCE.
britneyislord
May 3, 2010 at 10:48 pm
The real Irony is no one is actually talking about her video like that. She isn’t trending on twitter, the views on the video aren’t that high, and when Britney’s version of telephone leaked it got more attention than her song. She sold sex hoping people would pay attention but sadly no one is. I’ve never liked her despite her vocal talent, she’s a bitch and her music sucks. She proves that having a good voice is not equal to having good music.
wtf
May 4, 2010 at 12:36 am
i like how she puts rihanna in there to defend her porno shit..lmaoo..goes to show what rihanna is known for..too funny and both need to get lives..
keasyy
May 4, 2010 at 1:02 am
O_O Trent that was too much.
hihihihi
May 4, 2010 at 2:34 am
@DANBOFFICIAL.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAA
IM ON THE FLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR
BIKINI AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
AHAHAHHAHAHHA
U KILLED SAMA AND TRENTIA WITH THAT LINE
AND U KILLED EVERY HATE POST OF THEM
@SHOUTOUT TO MAX
FOR LIKIN GOOD MUSIC AND STRONG VOCALS
NO ROOM FOR WHISPERES LIKE JANET HERE
Danni
May 4, 2010 at 3:48 am
All I’ve heard from her is proving that she’s still dirty or got the nasty in her despite having a child. What is this obsession??? lol
LoveB...but
May 4, 2010 at 4:37 am
Trent you are just hating. NMT video is HOT LIKE FIRE!!! I love it!
MrIncredible
May 4, 2010 at 5:15 am
Christina really needs to rethink this “comeback” of hers… Try again “mama”!
Teflon Boy
May 4, 2010 at 6:52 am
‘In other words, the only difference between this video and that of the girls in Nelly’s ‘Tip Drill’ is the absence of rappers, the infamous credit card swipe and a stack of dollar bills.’
^Actually, the biggest difference between the two that you failed to acknowledge was that while Nelly’s video showed a group of men objectifying already trashy depictions of women without power roles and treating them like disposal transactions. While the women in that video are desperate for a cheque most likely so are willing to degrade themselves, Christina isn’t in that position so the message is subverted and you have to conclude that as she says, she’s portraying herself sexually because that is what she’s feeling. She’s made the decision for herself which despite not loving the video myself I do respect it. Sex sells and promo budget for even the established acts at an all-time low you need people to talk about your project before it drops these days otherwise no-one even knows when your album’s dropping. Can anyone tell me when Usher’s album is dropping, I don’t even know and he’s out right now. The label’s are missing a trick with these vague release dates because artists are missing demand sales. Say what you like about her but Christina understands the game, she’s been in it long enough. She is a proper musician/artist and that’s her focus but much like with Dirrty her point before her albums drop is to get people talking about her again. You have to hit people over the head these days to get attention so homegirl has done what she’s had to do. While other acts create scandal around their outfit or relationship, Christina created a scandal that revolves purely around her music and videos. Personally, I’d much rather that than some tacky/contrived reality show and I’d much rather the sex sells image come from the brain of the person doing it than an act like eg. Leona being less comfortably ordered to be sexual. You have your good girls and bad girls in pop and Christina has always intended and should be expected to be in that second category.
ThatsMyChrissyPoo!
May 4, 2010 at 7:14 am
“Stripped” was a masterpeice. That is all…
raphy
May 4, 2010 at 7:37 am
GUYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SHE IS NUMBER 1 TODAY ON ITUNES BECAUSE OF HER NEW VIDEO ….NUMBER 1..SUCKERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS..STOP WITH BULLSHIT AND FRIDAY LETS STAND UP FOR HER ON OPRAH OK…….
ITS NOT A FLOP……..HER VIDEO IS NUMBER 1 ON ITUNES AND NUMBER 1 IN SO MANY COUNTRIES TODAY……..
WHAT YOU DONT UNDERSTAND ACTUALLY?
KISSESSSSSSSSSS
Last Boy on Earth
May 4, 2010 at 10:16 am
I never saw Rihanna trying to be sexy in underwear on a video… and I’ve seen Gaga, way to go… Gaga stan, #youfail
Last Boy on Earth
May 4, 2010 at 10:19 am
Oh I really love Mariah Carey but I heard that you are a lamb… well, do I have to say something about the lack of clothes of Mariah Carey? Can I just say “Touch my body” or her last tour where she was only wearing a bra and panties? Right…
Suumi
May 4, 2010 at 3:34 pm
its no surprise that xtina is putting her sexuality out there once more. its not like shes never done it before or stopped when someone complained, so why should she stop now?
Keris
May 4, 2010 at 11:33 pm
swear u guys are full of BS!
u guys go against RIHANNA, Christina, and Mariah.
but ya’ll are so in LOVE with BEYONCE, and GAGA!
bytches!
hardcastle
May 5, 2010 at 2:12 am
xtina is a badass , and she has the credits to prove it . now her dancing and singing james browns song was off the dam hook!!!!!
hardcastle
May 5, 2010 at 2:14 am
all of the artist has their own style and their own way of expressing themselves, its all called art yall. and remember always that theres room enough for all of them, and thats way it was intended for all of us to be different, that you can see when you look around you at all of the big melting pot of different artist!!!!!
hardcastle
May 5, 2010 at 2:19 am
not to worry , xtina and others like her is going to snatch gagas drawers off , just you wait and see. theres a lot of artist out there who getting themselves groomed and ready to challenge a whole lot of these artist who has been on the scene for a decade and has never dissapeaded from the spotlight ,,just keep paying attention. just like gaga rose quick there will be other young queens who will rise to the occasion also just like her and bey, brit, and madonna,,, they are not the best of the best they are great but there will be others and you can bet on that , as a matter of fact a new star is on the stage every other month ,,,,,,
Angela Huggins
May 13, 2010 at 8:10 pm
To everyone defending Gaga, ummmm HELLO-she stole her act/look from a performer in Europe when she was a nobody…also the point of making music is to have it get attention postive or negative so people will go buy their c.d’s, hmmmmmm I think Christina will be laughing to the bank…no one compares to christina in her sophistication and VOICE, she is among the very best singers in the world, she is one of the few artists left who isn’t a package and wrapped up for the sheep in the world or sounds like a robot and the same every song (Brittany). so really who is a true singer, one who when they die will be remembered for her voice, or someone who has no voice/talent so they have to dress up n weird costumes and have every video be about sex–(Gaga)…At least Christina usually only does it with one single, and then the rest of the songs on her c.d are fantastic!!!!!! Christina Rocks!!!!!