The release marks the 20th anniversary of Aguilera’s Stripped album
It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since we started listening to Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful, but the ballad continues to speak to millions. Now, the singer is re-releasing a video that brings the song to the current generation––and it’s beyond powerful.
“The original ”Beautiful’ video set out to bring awareness and a sense of compassion in the face of criticism,” Aguilera tweeted when releasing the video. “It still carries an important message to remember our core values outside of what’s being fed to us…to find a sense of balance and accepting ourselves for who we are.”
Unlike the first version, Aguilera does not appear in the video herself. However, her powerful voice carries viewers through a series of scenarios inspired by the incessant influences of social media today.
The video starts off with an onslaught of audio that is difficult to decipher, with young people mesmerized by their phones. Then viewers are shown a plethora of scenes that range from children getting their bodies marked up for cosmetic surgery and dressing alike to fit in, to finally breaking the pattern.
To say the message and images hit home, is an understatement.
The original ''Beautiful" video set out to bring awareness and a sense of compassion in the face of criticism. It still carries an important message to remember our core values outside of what’s being fed to us…to find a sense of balance and accepting ourselves for who we are ❤️ pic.twitter.com/an9N8gRbhM
— Christina Aguilera (@xtina) October 19, 2022
The video ends with an important message and powerful imagery that shows blood leaking from a cell phone. “In the last 20 years, since ‘Stripped’ was first released, social media has transformed our relationship with our bodies and, in turn, our mental health. Research suggests that time spent on social networking sites is associated with body image issues, self-harm, and disordered eating in children and teens. This needs to change.”
Aguilera is offering resources on her website, christinaaguilera.com.
