Christina Aguilera says there was ‘big debate’ around her ‘ethnic’ last name in early days of career

Christina Aguilera revealed that in the early days of her career there was a ‘big debate’ among music executives around changing her ‘ethnic’ last name. 

‘All the businessmen around me thought it was too long, too complicated, and too ethnic,’ explained Aguilera in an interview with Billboard published Friday. 

But the 39-year-old pop star insisted she was ‘dead set against the idea’ and ‘wanted to represent who [she] really was.’

‘Being Latina, it is a part of my heritage and who I am,’ said Christina. 

She claimed that the stage name ‘Christina Agee’ was presented to her as an option, but ‘that clearly wasn’t going to fly’ with her.

‘There was another time in my childhood when I was being asked to legally change my name to my stepfather’s to be legally adopted and I was again dead set against it. 

‘I’ve been fighting for my last name my whole life,’ said the Genie In A Bottle singer.

Christina released her first and only Spanish language album titled Mi Reflejo in 2000, which, according to Billboard, ‘peaked at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums charts.’

As if a number on album were not enough, Mi Reflejo also earned Christina a Latin Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Album in 2001.

‘It was a beautiful thing to experience success in different markets and have a diverse fan base that grew in appreciating who I am,’ reflected Aguilera.

She stated that the message she delivers in her music ‘stands for being fearless to explore who you are’ and that it is ‘never too late to open a new door.’  

‘Although it’s scary to dive into territory that isn’t your first language, it still doesn’t erase who I am and how I want to express myself in all aspects of what intrigues and inspires me.’  

Christina expressed that she is ‘hopeful’ that she will release another Spanish language album and that she plans to explore deeper themes of woman hood in her new music. 

‘I am getting back to my roots and exploring who I am now as a grown woman who doesn’t have to cover my own English material in Spanish, but as a woman who can draw from my own personal experiences and express that with honesty.’

‘Having survived decades in this business, I am proud to tell the truth about what that means to me,’ concluded the Beautiful songstress.