The show started, of course, with her raise to the top. How she really had released 3 albums before she started to rebel from the brand that had been created around her.

And maybe this has been said, But watching this in such a dramatic aftermath of such a cause and effect it makes me that much more impressed with Christina Aguilera. I've always said that as a singer myself I'm very forgiving of female singers. And Christina is obviously and amazing singer. When Stripped came out I was like, "Why yes I will forget about your pop past". I was so amazed by her voice and I really got behind her new look. But at the time people just hated it. (and actually I think people are still a little annoyed.) When Dirrty came out she was just mocked relentlessly. I always recall the SNL Skit where Sarah Michelle Geller. People didn't like that she was being so sexual. They didn't like to see here pieced. They didn't like the tattoos. They didn't like the hair. And if I remember right the single was not at all successful in the US. People just wanted her to stay the innocent little girl forever. And she wouldn't let the industry force her into such a brand. She said I'm going to Introduce myself to the public with an over the top version of my grown up self. When everyone's talking about Dirrty they will no longer see her as the teenage version of herself. And while people are so critical of her then and now....she didn't get marked as that brand for 3 album. She waited 3 years before releasing that album. Britney release 3 in 3 years.

But because Christian took the time be strong enough (no reverse pun intended) and courageous enough to break out and be herself she wasn't trying to find herself so long into her life without knowing who she is. Now she has a career where people respect her talent. She might not be as popular as (I think) she should be but she is respected. She married a guy who seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He's a successful businessman but he's not a celebrity. He's not clamoring for the lime light and I think that really grounds her. She seems to be stable and happy in her marriage. And now that she's a mom we aren't sitting back completely appalled and fearful for the life of her child.

Essentially, the point of this rant is we can see both ends of the spectrum. With these two we can see 2 female performers whose lives start out exactly the same (both were on star search, both mousekeeers, etc) and when someone's life/career is sitting on the edge of a knife we can see how with one simple step, one defining moment, someone's life can tip one way or another. I think on strongest example of the difference is the Christina video for Save me from Myself and Britney's Everytime video.

with Everytime it makes me feel so sad. I think the video is such an accurate portrayal and I think it really should have been seen as the red flag it really is. I actually caught a bit of a Britney concert on tv once and she actually sat down at the piano and say this time. For real, you could actually tell she was singing. (heh, watching this video and the THS has made me actually a little depressed.) I just think it really is a good song and I don't think it got the attention it deserved.

With Save Me from Myself I think the song really is amazing. It is so beautiful and simple and it shows here as a delicate woman. It's not this big bold Christina we always see. She is soft and feminine. We know her to have this bold, power voice and with this song her voice is just soft and lovely. it shows that she is much more versatile vocalist than people give her credit for.