NEWS
Christina Aguilera knows “What a Girl Wants,” so she launched her own sexual wellness brand Playground aimed at empowering women. And in a revealing Wednesday (April 5) appearance on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, the 42-year-old pop legend promoted her products while diving deep into her life and career, touching on everything from the surprising age she lost her virginity to battling double standards as a young artist.
Though she didn’t reveal the exact time in life she lost her V-card, Aguilera shared that “it was later than you would think, given the girl that was doing ‘Dirrty’ and all this stuff.” “It’s so funny that I gave this persona because I probably was the last person to lose my virginity,” the vocalist said, referencing the explicitness of her earlier songs and music videos.
“[Sex] was something that was for me,” she added. “I guess that’s why my messages went the way they did, too, because I owned it first, maybe.”
Speaking of her early days, the five-time Grammy winner opened up about feeling misunderstood by the public and villainized by the media when she was promoting her album Stripped in 2002, which she said is her favorite era in her decades-long career. “I was like, ‘I have to do songs that mean something to me and are valid to who I am and being fearless and talking about anything,'” Aguilera told Cooper. “And that includes sexuality! I felt that there was a lot of shame and fear around the subject … so I just wanted to be who I was and make a safe space for everyone to feel food — and make it a conversation.”
“Growing up in this business, they’re gonna see you as a teenager, kid, they’re gonna see you as a young woman coming into your body, expressing yourself,” added the star, who as a young performer was on The All New Mickey Mouse Club in the early ’90s. “They’re gonna see you pregnant. They’re gonna see you go through the gambit of different places and stages in your life where you’re different kinds of weights. It’s so hard to just be inundated with different opinions.”
In addition to reflecting on growing up in an abusive household and giving pointers on her favorite X-rated activities, Aguilera also spoke about why she’s such a fan of her own Playground products, sharing that she prioritizes “defending or celebrating or opening conversations and doors for women to feel safe enough to talk about their sexuality and what that means for them.” “Everybody is so different and there is no shame in the game,” she added.
Listen to Christina Aguilera’s episode of Call Her Daddy below:
NEWS
Shirley Manson is set to take over curating duties for the Teenage Cancer Trust 2027 concert series, stepping into the role for next year’s Royal Albert Hall shows after Robert Smith led the 2026 edition.
The charity shared the update on Tuesday 28 April 2026, introducing the Garbage frontwoman as just the second guest curator the event has ever had.
To celebrate the reveal, Teenage Cancer Trust also dropped a video capturing Garbage’s standout performance of Lovesong by The Cure, taken from their set at this year’s shows.
Manson is following a legacy shaped by Roger Daltrey, who created and oversaw the week long fundraising concerts from 2000 through 2025, and Smith, who curated the 2026 line up.
Smith’s run featured performances from Wolf Alice, Elbow, Manic Street Preachers, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai and Garbage, along with a sold out comedy night, helping generate £1.4 million so far in support of young people facing cancer across the UK.
Speaking about the opportunity, Manson said: “To follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Roger Daltrey and most beloved Robert Smith by being invited to curate next year’s run of shows is one of the greatest honours that has ever been bestowed upon me.
"I consider it an immense privilege to continue helping raise funds and awareness for our all too often forgotten teenagers in the UK who are living with cancer and the struggle that this entails.
"I hope to curate a fine week of entertainment, calling upon some of my favourite artists to join the cause.
"I am so looking forward to seeing it all come together at the Royal Albert Hall next year and I hope to see you there.”
Smith also spoke highly of Manson while reflecting on the success of this year’s concerts, saying: “Having played a few Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall shows with The Cure, it was a real honour to curate the series in 2026, bringing together so many of my favourite artists to perform for such a great cause.
"The response and support from the audience, in the hall itself and all around the world, was really incredible.
"Garbage were one of the highlights of a stellar week, and I am very sure Shirley, with her great energy, commitment and values, will do a fantastic job in 2027.”
Daltrey also reacted to the announcement, saying: “To have a female musician with a great reputation for quality work is something that's been at the top of my wishlist going forward.
"I will always be there for her if she needs any help with anything.”
The 2027 Teenage Cancer Trust concerts are scheduled to take place from March 15 through 21 at the Royal Albert Hall, with the full line up expected to be announced soon.
