Christina María Aguilera, 27, was born in Staten Island, New York, to an army sergeant and a Spanish teacher. Her star potential was obvious from an early age, and she joined the cast of the Disney Channel's The New Mickey Mouse Club at the age of 13, along with Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Six years later her first, self-titled, debut album reached No 1 in the US charts. She has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide. Aguilera is married and recently gave birth to a son, Max. She is also the face of Stephen Webster jewellery.

I am a visual artist. In fact, the first thing I do when I start a new album is to get the look together. I keep hundreds of tear sheets from magazines, make them into big mood boards, then get into the character. I call it method singing.

I don't have a lot of patience when it comes to shopping. I'm more like: “Bring me lots of options.” Trends don't particularly interest me, either, but I have put a lot of effort into planning my new wardrobe. I have loads of wig-heads for hats, and a shoe wall filled from floor to ceiling. It even has a ladder on wheels, a bit like in an old library, so I can scoot along and get what I want quickly.

I don't believe in fashion faux pas. Every look I did was important at the time. When I was in the Lady Marmalade video it was all about being over the top, sexy and playful. The big hair, the make-up, it was so much fun. Would I do that today? Probably not. It was a different time, a different place for me.

Everybody has an opinion on what I wear, especially about the outfits that were perceived as being very provocative. Some people were really closed-minded and judgmental. Fashion should be fun; lots of people take it way too seriously.

The changes my body underwent when I was pregnant amazed me. Watching my belly grow, it was incredible. As a woman, I think you have to look at your pregnant body as the most beautiful it has ever been because you are housing another life. And I had my little cleavage, which I enjoyed showing here and there. But I definitely wanted to get back into shape after the birth. I was missing the gym. Trust me, I hate working out. I'm not a fitness maniac, and more than anything I love a good burger and fries. But I also love muscle definition and feeling good. It was important for me so that I could do the things I love, like performing on stage.

It was a no-brainer becoming the face of Stephen Webster's advertising campaign. It was love at first sight when I first saw his work, and he is such a charismatic person that we became friends instantly. Stephen is a rock star in his own right - he has this amazing versatility which really suits my chameleon ways. I am his muse, which is an amazing compliment. It's nothing calculated, I'm just myself, I play by my own rules. But it is always flattering when someone appreciates what you're doing.

I've had so many wardrobe malfunctions on stage. One time I was doing a dance move and I had to get off a table. Somehow my high heel got stuck in my fishnet tights and I fell flat on the floor. I sat there, with a bruised butt and a tear in my pantyhose, shrugged my shoulders and had a good laugh with the audience. It was kind of embarrassing but, hey, the show must go on.

On stage we have to Velcro everything. I normally have a lot of costume changes, probably about 20 per show, so my stylist helps. The last time I was on tour I was a few months pregnant, and towards the end we were changing some of the costumes into sweat pants. I just needed the extra comfort and room!

Being objectified in magazines comes with the territory. You have to take it with a pinch of salt, but I don't like it when the papa- razzi get to the point of being dangerous. They'll park their cars in the middle of the road, they speed, it's insane to witness what goes on. I think that is horrible. In terms of reading bad opinions, I tend to see all negativity and criticism as a good thing because people are at least talking about me, so they must care in some way.

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