Twenty-five years ago, The Bodyguard movie soundtrack smashed records worldwide and catapulted the movie’s co-star Whitney Houston further into the stratosphere of music superstardom.
When it came time to honor this historic soundtrack, who better to look to than one of this generation’s greatest voices, Christina Aguilera. I mean, after all, Whitney was one of her biggest idols, and she has been practicing her songs since she was eight years old. This is what Christina told us about the opportunity to perform this tribute:
“To be honoring THE one and only, Whitney Houston, is a blessing and I am grateful to celebrate the spirit of her songs and legend that lives on. I feel eternally fortunate to have personally met her on and off the stage. My deep appreciation for her kindness to me while coming up in the business – her graciousness, generosity, humanity and beauty – lived up to everything I could have hoped for in meeting my idol and will forever be cherished in my memory of her.”
Here is a little taste of Christina’s takes on the legendary Whitney Houston to tease us for the tribute she’ll be performing at this year’s AMAs.
“How Will I Know,” Age 8
Before “American Idol,” there was “Star Search.” How adorable is little Xtina?!
“I Have Nothing,” Age 12
This cover was sung during Christina’s time on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” you know, that sweet, sweet FOMO time in American pop culture history where Britney Spears, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera were all just hanging around and being cute together on a Disney TV show.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Age 18
In this interview, Christina describes how she started singing Whitney Houston songs in school talent shows. In first grade, it was “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” We would LOVE to see that original footage. Send it in Xtina!
“Run to You,” Age 20
Even Whitney herself called this 2001 performance of “Run to You” the best cover she had heard, according to the Estate of Whitney E. Houston.
In fact, it was this same exact song that helped launch Christina’s career! In this interview from 1999, she explains (0:30) how she had to hit a certain note from this song to prove herself to land the Mulan recording of “Reflections”
“I Have Nothing,” Age 36
It never made it to the actual finale of “The Voice” Season 10, but this glimpse makes us want even more!
Okay, now it’s official: Christina Aguilera’s tribute to Whitney Houston at this year’s American Music Awards is going to be chill-inducing, epic and un-for-gett-able. See ya there!