Christina Aguilera is known for her powerful vocals and ever-evolving style. Throughout her career, she has reinvented her image many times, often signaling a new era in her music. One of her most dramatic transformations came in the early 2000s when she traded in her famous platinum blonde locks for a jet black shade.
Christina Aguilera first made a name for herself in the late 1990s as a bubbly blonde pop star. Songs like “Genie in a Bottle” and “What a Girl Wants” showcased her girl-next-door image, complete with long, flowing pale blonde hair. However, as Christina entered the new millennium, she was eager to shed her squeaky clean teen pop persona.
In 2002, Christina took on a more provocative and sexualized style to accompany her new album, Stripped. The biggest change came when she dyed her signature blonde hair a glossy black shade. This dramatic change signaled Christina’s new adult image and departure from her teen pop roots.
So when exactly did Christina Aguilera go from blonde to black hair? Let’s take a look at the transition timeline throughout the early 2000s.
The “Dirrty” Era: 2002-2003
Christina Aguilera first unveiled her raven black hair in the music video for “Dirrty” in September 2002. This was the lead single from her fourth album Stripped. The music video features Christina with long, straight black hair, often braided or worn messy. This was paired with the singer’s daring fashions including assless chaps, bikini tops, and fishnet stockings.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 2002 | Debuts black hair in “Dirrty” music video and single release |
| November 2002 | Stripped album release |
| February 2003 | Performs with black hair at Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show |
The provocative lyrics, revealing outfits, and edgy black hair color helped distance Christina from her teen pop persona. The image was a key part of her evolution into a sexually-empowered adult artist.
In November 2002, Christina released her album Stripped, featuring songs like “Beautiful” and “Fighter” inspired by her newfound confidence. During live performances and public appearances throughout 2002 and 2003, Christina could be seen sporting her signature dark locks.
One key event was her Super Bowl XXXVI halftime duet with Enrique Iglesias in February 2003. Christina sang “Fighter” with long, glossy black hair extensions on the big stage.
The “Back to Basics” Era: 2006-2008
After taking a break from music in 2004-2005, Christina returned with her fifth album Back to Basics in 2006. For this jazz and R&B inspired record, she also returned to her black hair color, often styling it in soft waves evoking Old Hollywood glamour.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2006 | Back to Basics album release |
| February 2007 | Wins Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy with black hair |
| January 2008 | Performs at 50th Annual Grammy Awards with black bob hairstyle |
During the Back to Basics era from 2006-2008, Christina’s black hair was a key part of her retro pin-up look. She often accentuated the style with bold red lips and winged eyeliner.
At the 2007 Grammy Awards, where Christina took home the Best Pop Vocal Album award, her black hair was styled in glamorous curls befitting her old school aesthetic.
In 2008, she began wearing her black hair in a sleek blunt bob. This straight black hairstyle with bangs remained her go-to look for live performances and events throughout 2007 and 2008 as she continued promoting Back to Basics.
Return to Blonde: 2008-2010
In 2008, Christina Aguilera began transitioning back to lighter locks, signaling the close of her Back to Basics period. She started by debuting honey blonde highlights before returning to her iconic platinum blonde by late 2008.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2008 | Debuts honey blonde highlights at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony |
| June 2008 | Performs on The Voice of Armenia with blonde hair |
| November 2008 | Attends American Music Awards with platinum blonde hair |
By the time she gave her first live performance for the TV singing competition The Voice of Armenia in June 2008, her black hair was lightened to a dark blonde shade with highlights. Over the next few months, she continued to go blonder until returning to her recognizable platinum shade.
Her newly blonde hair was on full display at the 2008 American Music Awards, where she performed and presented awards. For the next few years, Christina maintained her lighter hair color even as she took time off from music.
Brief Black Hair Return: 2010
Christina briefly went back to black in 2010 when she released her first greatest hits album and was promoting the film Burlesque.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 2010 | Releases Greatest Hits: The Collection with black hair |
| November 2010 | Premieres Burlesque film with black hair |
She dyed her hair jet black once again for public appearances like Burlesque premieres and greatest hits promotion. However, this black hair period only lasted a couple months before she was back to blonde by early 2011.
2011 – Present: Blonde Again
Since 2011, Christina Aguilera has maintained her platinum blonde hair, rarely deviating from the light shade. A few highlights include:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 2013 | Releases “Say Something” single with blonde hair |
| May 2016 | Season 10 finale of The Voice with long blonde hair |
| June 2018 | Performs at Liberation Tour opener with blonde hair |
As Christina has continued putting out new music and performing, her go-to look has included long, sometimes wavy, bright blonde hair. The black hair has not made a return in over a decade.
Christina’s ever-changing hairstyles have reflected the different musical eras and aesthetics throughout her wide-ranging career. While she always looks gorgeous, her iconic platinum locks remain a quintessential part of her glamorous image.
Conclusion
In summary, Christina Aguilera first debuted her black hair in 2002 as part of her edgy Stripped era look. She kept the raven shade until around 2008 when she gradually returned to blonde. Another brief black hair period came in late 2010 before she went back to her signature blonde permanently by 2011.
Christina’s black hair look in the early to mid 2000s remains one of her most memorable style transformations. The striking raven shade paired with risque outfits signaled her transition from teen pop starlet to provocative adult artist. Though she has sported many hair colors, platinum blonde remains Christina’s tried and true signature shade.