Christina Aguilera Recalls Pressure to Be 'Skinny,' Says It Was 'Unacceptable' When She Started 'Getting Thicker'

Christina Aguilera’s body image has shifted over the years after experiencing body shaming as a young artist.

During a candid interview with Glamour, the "Genie In a Bottle" singer, 43, opened up about the obsession with her weight throughout her career and how it was difficult to navigate.

She admitted that much of her self-esteem was determined by “how skinny I was.”

“When you’re a teenager, you have a very different body than when you’re in your 20s,” she told the outlet. “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.’”

Over the years, Aguilera says she’s learned to not let what others think about her body impact her.

“I have a maturity now where I just don’t give a f— about your opinion. I’m not going to take it on,” she said. “It must be your responsibility to take up your space. Other people’s opinions of me are not my business.”

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The Grammy-winning superstar explained that this growth has encouraged her to try and instill the same mindset in her children — son Max, 16, whom she shares with ex-husband Jordan Bratman, and daughter Summer, 10, whom she shares with fiancé Matt Rutler.

“Your kids trigger things in you that you don’t want them to go through,” she told the outlet. “And it’s almost like you’re reliving this whole thing again.”

“I’ve seen so much so young,” she added. “You just want the best for your kids.” 

Aguilera has often been vocal about the body shaming she’s experienced as a singer. Earlier this year, she even opened up about working against double standards in society.

"I’ve experienced firsthand the double standards [put on women]; and I’ve been shamed for being open, for expressing myself sexually and trying to own my body, and for trying to empower other women. People are afraid of that," the "Dirrty" musician told ADWEEK in February.

“I want [my daughter] to grow up not feeling any shame or stigma and feel comfortable as a woman,” Aguilera said at the time "I want my son to understand and appreciate women’s struggles and what they go through, and to feel part of the conversation as well."