Christina Aguilera on the cover of Paper magazine. | Photo: Instagram/@papermagazine
Pop diva Christina Aguilera looks completely unrecognizable on the cover of the latest Paper magazine.
The Grammy Award winning singer is known for her lavish looks, even mimicking drag queens as she did in the most recent episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
But in this photoshoot the star appears stripped back in the magazines ‘Transformation 2018’ issue.
Ready for @xtina‘s #Transformation? #XtinaPAPER https://t.co/XEi0Gj0TuM pic.twitter.com/nDwsM5gxMs
— PAPER Magazine (@papermagazine) March 26, 2018
Aguilera wanted to appear with minimal makeup because it reflected where she was in her career.
‘I’ve always been someone that obviously loves to experiment, loves theatrics, loves to create a storyline and play a character in a video or through stage. I’m a performer, that’s who I am by nature,’ she told Paper.
‘But I’m at the place, even musically, where it’s a liberating feeling to be able to strip it all back and appreciate who you are and your raw beauty.’
Appearing on the cover with messy bangs and very little makeup which show her freckles, the 37-year-old admitted the ‘makeunder’ wouldn’t be permanent.
‘I mean, I’m a girl that likes a beat face, let’s not get it twisted,’ she said.
#XtinaPAPER https://t.co/XEi0Gj0TuM pic.twitter.com/J0M66uM4Hr
— PAPER Magazine (@papermagazine) March 26, 2018
Aguilera and LGBTQ people
The Paper interview also touched on Aguilera’s support of the LGBTQ community.
Her music video for the 2002 hit, Beautiful, featured trans people which earned her a GLAAD media award the following year.
#XtinaPAPER https://t.co/XEi0Gj0TuM pic.twitter.com/HaVJdiPh7T
— PAPER Magazine (@papermagazine) March 26, 2018
In 2016 she dedicated the proceeds of her song Change, to the victims of the Pulse shooting in Orlando through the National Compassion Fund.
‘These are people who I grew up with and who are brilliant, talented and strong that deserve for their voice to be heard and fought for, as well,’ she said.
Aguilera and beuaty
Paper is not afraid of pushing stars to new limits for their covers. The magazine famously portrayed Kim Kardashian in her ‘break the internet’ cover.
#XtinaPAPER https://t.co/XEi0Gj0TuM pic.twitter.com/5CULS1IGqB
— PAPER Magazine (@papermagazine) March 26, 2018
Aguilera was clear about what she believes is beautiful.
‘Be fearless in breaking new boundaries and don’t be afraid to go against the grain of criticism along the way,’ she said.
‘There’s always gonna be those trolls out there or people that have their own definition and ideals of beauty.’
Unfortunately, the diva didn’t shed any light on when we could expect a new album from her.