Survivor Stories: Christina Aguilera

Photo credits: Forbes

Christina Aguilera, an American singer-songwriter and actress, has become an influential figure in the music industry. In 2023, the star opened up about her past experiences with domestic abuse on the Call Her Daddy podcast.

She described her childhood as one shaped by fear, isolation, and the heavy responsibility of being a protector. “I grew up in a chaotic upbringing as a very young child, always feeling like a protector and all that, and always felt isolated in my situation,” Aguilera said, adding that singing became her “release” and “form of expression” in a world where safety was uncertain.

She recalled realizing her home was unsafe when fear began to dominate her daily life. “You have to listen to your body, and fear is something that you innately feel, so right then and there, something doesn’t feel good, and it’s not right,” she explained. Even decades later, she admits the scars remain. “At 42, I’m still affected by this. It’s under the surface. Trauma never leaves you. You just figure out ways to try and heal it, and to me it’s therapeutic to speak about it.”

Aguilera’s compassion for her mother, Shelly Kearns, who endured abuse at the hands of Fausto Aguilera, gave her a deep sense of purpose. “I always want to try and empower other people and people in situations where they feel voiceless and unheard. I just have such a deep-rooted need to try and use my voice,” she said.

Still, she acknowledged the complexities of abuse, pointing out the shame and anger that often come with it. “It takes a lot for a woman to leave those situations as well, and my heart goes out because some of them don’t leave them. Sometimes it’s financial, sometimes it’s fear of authorities not helping, and then it getting worse. Sometimes it feels like there’s no way out.”

She remembered fleeing with her mother and sister during late-night drives to her grandmother’s house. “There was some back and forth. There’s always the tug of like, ‘I’m never gonna do it again.’ There’s sweet-talking involved,” she said. The family’s move to Japan for her father’s Army work only grew her isolation, though she clung to hope by singing songs from The Sound of Music out the window.

When her career began, Aguilera assumed the role of provider, supporting her mother and sister financially while carrying the emotional weight of being a caretaker. That role has shaped her into what she proudly calls a “protective mama bear.” For Aguilera, her voice remains her most powerful tool for healing and empowerment, even today.

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Jurisview Journal is a student-led blog that publishes biweekly articles about interesting criminal cases. Our aim is to shed light on cases that require justice or further exploration and provide input on controversial legal events. We also publish infographics to help victims or those who wish to educate themselves on legal issues. 

In this series, Survivor Stories, we explore and share the stories of survivors of violence and crime. Through this, we advocate for justice and more attention to victims such as the survivors we feature.