Christina Aguilera reveals why she wants to work with Troye Sivan ahead of Australian show

An insider has revealed that superstar Christina Aguilera could pocket up to $2 million – or almost $17,000 a minute for a two-hour show – for her one-off Aussie concert next weekend.

Christina Aguilera has always been fierce and fearless. Except when it comes to kangaroos.

Another close encounter with one-half of our coat of arms – visiting pop stars are obligated to meet and greet our fauna while in Australia – is not on the to-do list when she returns this week to perform a one-off concert in Melbourne.

It has been 16 years since Aguilera brought one of her world tours to Australia.

“I remember we had a couple of days off (last time) … and also got to see some animals, which you guys are so incredibly known and unique for,” she said, laughing, ahead of her return.

“So that was fun. Even though I’m a little scared of kangaroos.”

Christina Aguilera performs in Melbourne on November 25. Picture: Supplied.

Aguilera’s exclusive show at Flemington Racecourse – billed as a “journey through her hits” – was secured by the Victorian Government and promoter Untitled Group as a tentpole event for this year’s $20 million Always Live program.

One industry insider speculated the Beautiful superstar’s fee for the one-off gig, next Saturday, November 25, could be up to $2 million, the going rate for a Triple A-list entertainer with sales of more than 75 million albums, seven billion streams, an enviable hit parade of pop classics, film and television success and myriad side hustles including a “sexual wellness brand”.

The Always Live concert will be her first here in 16 years. Picture: Supplied.

And she’s just booked a new stint in cashed-up entertainment mecca Las Vegas at the Voltaire theatre, in between the weekends of Kylie Minogue’s More Than Just A Residency.

As Aguilera finalises her plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her debut single Genie In A Bottle and self-titled album next year, she remains a powerful pop culture provocateur.

She was back in the headlines last month when Britney Spears released her memoir The Woman In Me and wrote how she wasn’t happy about the What A Girl Wants star’s tour with her ex Justin Timberlake, and her freedom while Spears was bound by the now dissolved conservatorship.

Aguilera got a few mentions in Britney Spears’ memoir. Picture: AP.

Aguilera dodged questions about the book ahead of its release, telling American late night host Jimmy Kimmel that she was “hoping that, you know, everything is all good with her”.

Perhaps the most pointed difference between their careers – the Mickey Mouse Club stars turned pop princesses were often the subject of media comparisons during their early 2000s chart domination – was the way Aguilera was driven to seize control of her affairs from the get-go, while Spears’ life was ruled by her family, management and the conservatorship.

In 2000, Aguilera severed ties with the manager who had steered her early career, throwing off the shackles of the “vanilla” image demanded by the conservative quarters of the music industry.

@xtina

Stripped turns 21 🖤🍾 #Stripped

♬ original sound - Christina Aguilera

She dramatically re-emerged via the sexually-charged Lady Marmalade cover with P!nk, Mya and Lil' Kim for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, and then the raunchy hit 2002 single Dirrty.

Aguilera said she remains proud of fighting for her artistic rights two decades ago.

“We have seen a shift in the industry with female artists over the past two decades. I believe there’s more recognition and support for young female artists who want to have creative control over their music and image to assert themselves and make their mark,” she said.

“I’m proud to have been a part of this change, and I’m excited to see more artists taking control of their careers, whether they are just starting off or continuing to evolve.”

Aguilera in a muscles corset and other props at LA Pride. Picture: Getty.

Yet the Ain’t No Other Man star acknowledges that female and non-binary artists still face a double standard when they express their sexuality via lyrics, stage performance and music videos.

Aguilera, who has a long been a champion of the LBGTQI+ community and whose 2002 hit Beautiful remains a gay anthem, was the headlining artist at Pride celebrations in America in June and copped criticism for performing while wearing a sex toy at the Los Angeles event.

“Double standards have been a longstanding issue in the music industry and while there has been progress in recent years, there is still work to be done,” she said.

“My performance at LA Pride was about celebrating freedom, self-expression and love. It’s essential that all, regardless of gender or sexual identity, are free to express themselves without judgment.

“The polarised reactions serve as a reminder that we still have barriers to break through. I feel it is important for me to use my platform to fight for a more accepting industry and world.”

In addition to her enviable catalogue of solo hits, Aguilera’s star power and that golden voice have propelled collaborations with the world’s biggest artists to airwaves ubiquity and chart glory.

Nobody Wants To be Lonely with Ricky Martin, Moves Like Jagger with Maroon 5, Feel This Moment with Pitbull and Say Something with A Great Big World were global smashes.

Australia’s reigning pop prince Troye Sivan is on her “evolving” wishlist of future collaborators.

“Collaborations are always exciting for me as they allow me to experience and look at a song, from initial writing to creating melodies, through the eyes of a counterpart who may have a different perspective,” she said.

“My wish list is always evolving and I’m always open to working with a diverse range of artists to broaden my musical horizons who I have a creative connection with. Troye Sivan is fantastic and I really enjoy his new song and video One of Your Girls.”

The pop style queen promises to get loud with Australian fans next week. Picture: Monica Schipper/Getty.

Aguilera said she is excited to reconnect with her “loud” Australian fans at the One Night Only concert.

“Australia will always hold a special place in my heart as some of my favourite memories and audiences are there – I came on my “Stripped” tour in 2003 and the “Back to Basics” tour in 2007,” she said.

“The energy and warmth that the Australian fans brought each time was incredible.”

Christina Aguilera performs at Flemington Racecourse Melbourne on November 25 with tickets on sale at Always Live.

Originally published as Christina Aguilera reveals why she wants to work with Troye Sivan ahead of Australian show