Christina Aguilera Gets Emotional On ‘VH1 Storytellers’

Becky Bain | June 14, 2010 11:00 am

Christina Aguilera’s heavily anticipated VH1 Storytellers debuted this weekend, and the singer was able to find a happy medium between smoldering sexpot and classy torch singer. You can watch her entire VH1 Storytellers here, but for those time-constricted fans who just want a best-of, check out our picks below, including a song Christina swears she’s never performed in front of an audience before.

“Bionic”, “Not Myself Tonight” and “Beautiful”

Christina opened the show with the first two Bionic tracks, and followed it up with maybe the best song she’s ever recorded and the one she’ll be remembered for, “Beautiful.” We’re not going to lie—”Not Myself Tonight” is much more bearable without the accompanying video. Plus, it helps to view Christina singing it live, looking like she’s really enjoying herself.

“I’m OK” and “You Lost Me”

Christina swears she never performed “I’m OK” (from Stripped) in front of anyone before—and we can see why. This track is obviously difficult for her as she says it’s about her childhood that was filled with a lot of domestic violence. You can tell Christina is tiptoeing around her emotions while explaining this song—it’s almost too uncomfortable to watch her talk about, like she might break down at any moment.

“I hurt me to see the pain in my mother’s face / Every time my father’s fist would put her in her place / I would cry up in my room / Hoping it would be over soon,” Christina croons on the delicate tune, accompanied by a string section. “Bruises fade, father, but the pain remains the same.”

As truly depressing as this ballad is (while still managing to be inspirational), we much prefer this raw Christina than the faux-uber-sexy Xtina personality.  You can really tell this type of song is personal to her, while the whole sex goddess shtick seems forced and wears thin after awhile.

Which Christina do you guys prefer? True and emotional or fun and dirrty? Or is any Aguilera a-okay by you?

[That Grape Juice]