NEWS
Christina Aguilera performs on stage during the 2021 People's Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021 in Santa Monica, California.
Christopher Polk/E! Entertainment/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo BankChristina Aguilera brought the heat to the 2021 People’s Choice Awards on Tuesday (Dec. 7), where she took to the stage to sing a medley of hits spanning her two decade-long music career. During the performance — which preceded her accepting People’s Choice’s first-ever Music Icon award — Aguilera paid tribute to her “Dirrty” look with the help of a quick outfit change.
Aguilera began her hits medley with a dramatic and haunting rendition of her first hit single, “Genie in a Bottle,” dressed in a black floor-length ruffled gown. The song then transitioned into the instrumentals for her Stripped classic “Dirrty,” marking the arrival of her alter ego, Xtina. She traded the black gown for a leather and lace-up detailed take of her iconic yellow and black “Dirrty” bra top and chaps costume, which she originally wore for a live MTV performance in 2002. (The outfit also appeared in red in the official 2002 music video.) Aguilera also brought back the black streaks in her blonde hair from the look, which has been one of her most memorable over the course of her career.
After singing a snippet of “Dirrty,” Aguilera transitioned into “Fighter” and “Can’t Hold Us Down” before closing out with a stunning display of vocal agility with “Somos Nada” and signature hit, “Beautiful.”
Later in the evening, Aguilera accepted the Music Icon Award and said that receiving the award was “an exceptional honor.”
“I have always strived for my music to communicate messages of empowerment, whether it’s speaking my own truths or giving voice to those unable to do so on their own,” Aguilera said in her acceptance speech. “My artistry has always been for the fighters in this world, for those who face adversity, for those wanting to evoke change, my music is for you.”
“Believing in yourself is often the biggest obstacle of all, and throughout the years I’ve heard your stories about the impact of songs like ‘Beautiful,’ ‘Fighter,’ ‘Can’t Hold Us Down,’ and yes, even ‘Dirrty.’ Thank you for your stories,” she continued. “Thank you for listening. And thank you for fighting. You inspire me every day.”
Watch Aguilera’s People’s Choice performance below, as well as the 2002 “Dirrty” video featuring the red take on the iconic outfit.
Sharleen Spiteri joined BBC Radio 2’s The Sara Cox Breakfast Show ahead of Texas taking the stage to launch the main live music programme at Radio 2 in the Park in Stirling.
Checking in from rehearsals, the Texas frontwoman spoke about getting ready for the band’s opening performance at City Park. Radio 2’s annual flagship festival takes place there from 11 to 13 September 2026. "I’m match fit because I’ve had a couple of days’ rehearsals," Spiteri said. "We’re kicking the whole weekend off, which we’re very much looking forward to, so everybody’s got to get ready to party."
Before the live acts take over, Friday’s DJ Pre-Party gets the weekend started with Radio 2 favourites Sara Cox, DJ Spoony, Gary Davies, Michelle Visage, and Rylan behind the decks.
Jo Whiley helped set the mood with a special programme from Stirling’s Tolbooth venue. Working with BBC Introducing Scotland, the broadcast put the spotlight on Scotland’s emerging music scene through performances and conversations with Fright Years, Alice Faye, and James Emmanuel.
Fright Years, a four member band from Edinburgh, played "Never Been Wrong" and offered their take on Simple Minds’ "Waterfront." Glasgow singer and songwriter Alice Faye, the BBC Introducing in Scotland 2026 winner, paired "Some Brief Encounter" with a rendition of Lulu’s arrangement of "I Started a Joke." James Emmanuel, who was born in Nigeria and now lives in Edinburgh, sang "Brothers & Sisters" before taking on Chaka Khan’s "I’m Every Woman."
"We’re all about celebrating BBC Introducing and all the music that’s come out of Scotland," Whiley told listeners. "It's about celebrating the local music scene and the incredibly important work that BBC Introducing does to support independent, up-and-coming artists."
Joining the conversation were Stephanie Cheape, presenter of BBC Introducing in Scotland, Tara McLoughlin, venue manager for Stirling Council, and student radio presenters representing the University of Stirling’s Air3 Radio.
Listeners can catch the complete interviews and live performances from the weekend’s programmes on BBC Sounds.
