[NEWS] CHRISTINA AGUILERA REPORTEDLY MAKES AN UPWARDS OF $10 MILLION FOR 'THE VOICE'

Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones were all fired from "The X Factor" on Monday, according to individuals close to the show.

Fox and producers Fremantle and Simon Cowell were looking to make a clean sweep, according to those individuals, and are looking for new talent to replace the two judges and the host.

Said one of those individuals: "They survived this year, but it didn’t really work. So they’ve figured they have an opportunity to fix it.

"They expected Paula to be the goofy girl, and Nicole to be the pretty one. But Paula was so bad that it made none of it work."

A Fox spokesman confirmed the departures of Scherzinger and Jones, but could not immediately confirm Abdul's departure.

Part of the issue, the insider said, was that Fox chose to spend its money on an elaborate set and glitzy production values for the live show. By contrast, NBC's "The Voice" spent its budget on hiring top-shelf talent, including Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton.

Aguilera is said to be receiving upwards of $10 million per season for "The Voice." One insider told TheWrap that Abdul was receiving only $1 million for a season of "The X Factor."

Jones confirmed his exit on Twitter.

Scherzinger, the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls, replaced original "X Factor" judge Cheryl Cole, who was dismissed from the show in May 2011.

The show has scored admirable ratings, but hasn't lived up to creator Cowell's expectations. He said last summer he hoped it would top "American Idol" as the country's top-rated show, but it failed to climb from the roughly 12.49 million viewers who watched its September launch. Indeed, "X Factor" earned only half of his former show's ratings in its first season, which wrapped in December.

The show stirred buzz for certain episodes -- most notably the Dec. 8 live results show when teen contender Rachel Crow unexpectedly got the boot -- but "X Factor" viewership fell to as few as 8.51 million.

Scherzinger was knocked for indecisiveness, especially when she refused to make a crucial ruling on which of two contenders should go home. Abdul was largely a peacemaker this go-round, and had few of the sparks she displayed with Cowell on "American Idol." Instead, Cowell feuded with new judge L.A. Reid.

"X Factor" has averaged a 4.2/12 rating among Adults 18-49 and 12.4 million total viewers last season, close to the ratings of NBC's new singing competition, "The Voice."

"The Voice" returns to the airwaves on Feb. 6. "X Factor" hopes to have replacement talent locked in by April, according to the insider.

Source: VancouverSun

Editor's Note:

Christina Aguilera actually makes more money per episode than her Pop music peer, Jennifer Lopez. Lopez reportedly makes $20 million dollars per season of American Idol, which spans about 39 episodes. Aguilera's 'upwards of $10 million dollars' for The Voice spanned 17 episodes for season one. Mathematically speaking, $20 million dollars divided by 39 episodes of American Idol puts Lopez at $512,820 thousand dollars per episode. $10 million dollars divided by 17 episodes of The Voice puts Aguilera at $588,235 thousand dollars per episode. Let's pretend The Voice wants to extend it's season by doubling the amount of episodes from season one. 17 plus 17 equals 34 episodes which is 5 short of Idol's 39 episodes. What does this mean? Idol is trying too hard. Relevant much? Flop, what? #StayPressedHaters

Credits: Sodaclub

[NEWS] 'THE VOICE' COACHES TO PERFORM PRINCE MEDLEY

Although The Voice will premiere Sunday – right after the Super Bowl – it won't be until night two that the coaches Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine will perform a rocking Prince medley.

The two-hour show will also feature more blind auditions as the coaches build their teams and prepare to go head-to-head in a full season of NBC's hit singing competition.

Just don't expect to see a slew of bad singers.

"We all told them we're not signing up for this show if it's about ridiculing someone or mocking talent," Aguilera told reporters this month.

"This show is about artist development," added Green.

Prepared to defend his winning title, Levine, who coached season 1 winner Javier Colon, says the level of talent this year "is pretty high, so you can be honest and say, 'This isn't your best,' rather than they suck."

Source: People

[PHOTO] 'THE VOICE' COACHES ON THE COVER OF 'ROLLING STONE' FEBRUARY 16TH ISSUE

[TRENDS] 2 WORLDWIDE TRENDING TOPICS (1-31-12)

[TWEET] @THEREALXTINA: 'LOVE U CEE LO! RT @CEELOGREEN: ME AND MY BABE CHRISTINA...'

[TWEET] @CEELOGREEN: 'ME AND MY BABE CHRISTINA A.K.A. 'THE VOICE'

[NEWS] FLASHBACK: ETTA JAMES & CHRISTINA AGUILERA'S MAGICAL MOMENT IN HISTORY

Christina Aguilera says she can die happy now — because she's met her idol, legendary R&B singer Etta James. The two posed together for a photo spread in the July issue of InStyle, which matched up singers with their musical mentors.

The pairings include Mary J. Blige with Chaka Khan, John Legend with Quincy Jones, Fergie with Rita Marley, and Faith Hill with Aretha Franklin. But Aguilera's coupling with James nearly brought the singer to tears because James seemed to idolize her too.

"Etta is my all-time favorite singer," Aguilera explained. "I've said it for the last seven years — since I had my first debut record out — in every interview, in every story, in every on- and off-camera question. I mean, all of Etta's old songs, countless songs I could name, I grew up listening to. That music was always such a huge escape for me, even from a young age."

When she was about 7 years old, Aguilera's grandmother used to take her to look for vintage records, which was how she got introduced to soul, jazz and blues. "There was such soul, emotion and raw heart in it," Aguilera said. "So much real heart and emotion that's lacking in music today. You used to have to sing and convey emotion, and now, well, technically you can do anything with technology. It sucks for music today, but that's why that old music feels so good to me." Aguilera said she was a "bundle of nerves" before meeting James. Little did she know, James had already been won over.

"When I first heard her stuff, and I heard her say on TV, [in response to the question] where she got her style, 'I grew up on Etta James,' that made me feel so good," James said. "The last person who said that was Janis Joplin, but Christina can sing. Janis was good, but there's a difference in the quality of voice. I couldn't believe that big sound, that big voice was coming out of her. Tell me who you've seen that sings like her, because we don't have anybody. "It's like you were here many years ago," she told Aguilera. "You don't look exactly like them, but there's something about you that's like Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, those kinds of chicks. I've never seen a girl sing as tough as you sing, as little as you are. It's like you're an old soul."

"I'm going to cry now,"

Aguilera gasped, and James put her head on her shoulder adoringly.

During the photo shoot, James sat at a piano and sang R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" while Aguilera looked on in awe. Even though it wasn't one of Aguilera's favorite songs that Etta sings — those would be "At Last," "Fool That I Am," "I Prefer You," "Trust in Me" and "Something's Got a Hold on Me" — she joined in for an impromptu gospel number.

Perhaps it was a warm-up for Aguilera's upcoming tour of blues and jazz clubs to promote her Back to Basics LP, due August 15. Aguilera said

"She’s what I want to be someday; sitting on a stool in some smokey jazz club, doing bluesy versions of my old hits like “What A Girl Wants” with just a piano — I’ll still be as raunchy as I wanna be and I’ll have the memory of Etta James to back me up."

James says Aguilera is already well on her way.

"She reminds me of myself when I was young," she said. "I've always been a complainer, too, that's what I liked about her. The bad-girl syndrome was a controversy then, but that was always the hip thing. Everybody wanted to be the bad girl!"

"It's funny," Aguilera said. "Etta had told me she had heard I was 'a little hotheaded,' and you know what she said? 'Just like me — a girl after her own heart!' I love her feisty vibe"

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Credits: Julie

[VIDEO] GOOD MORNING AMERICA GUSHES OVER CHRISTINA AGUILERA'S TRIBUTE TO ETTA JAMES

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[AUDIO] 'YOU LOST ME' DUBSTEP REMIX BY: LEWIS SANTIAGO

Christina Aguilera - You Lost Me (Dubstep Remix) by Lewis Santiago

[YOUTUBE] CHRISTINA'S TRIBUTE TO ETTA JAMES SECURES THE #1 SPOT FOR 'MOST VIEWED VIDEO'

[NEWS] CHRISTINA DISHES ON HER NEW ALBUM & HER LOVE FOR 'THE VOICE' TO ROLLINGSTONE

Look for Christina on the cover of Rolling Stone coming very soon! Along with the other "The Voice" coaches Christina is of course front and center! She looks great in all black, leather jacket, leggings, and some sparkling louboutins.

"After a long career of her own, Aguilera particularly loved The Voice’s inclusion of older contestants who may have already gone through a record contract or two.

“It’s nice to give people second chances,” she says. “It’s a great opportunity to give people new life and jump-start not only them but your heart and your spirit for this business again.”

Coincidentally, she’s been working on a new album of her own.

“I only make records when I’m really passionate and have something to say, and I have a lot to say, with the time that was taken off since my last record – a couple of years. I have a lot of ****, a lot of crazy ****.”

Source: ChristinaVIP

[NEWS] MTV BUZZWORTHY: CHRISTINA AGUILERA COVERS 'AT LAST' AT ETTA JAMES' FUNERAL

Etta James' recent passing has lead to some of music's leading powerhouse voices covering the blues.

First, Kelly Clarkson paid an AH-MAZING tribute with her rendition of "I'd Rather Go Blind." And this weekend, Christina Aguilera delivered with her version of "At Last" during Etta's funeral.

The clip begins with Christina offering a heartfelt confession about the impact Etta left on Aguilera's own musical career. Then, the Grammy winner closes her eyes and begins belting out the opening notes to one of the most stunning renditions of "At Last" we've ever heard.

She channels her inner Etta and embraces a raspy, raw expression, closely resembling the intensity of the original. Christina reminds us that she can still hit and hold any note she damn well pleases and does it so flawlessly that she brings the entire audience to their feet.

We've definitely never been to a funeral where people openly cheer and offer a standing O -- then again, we've never attended a funeral where Christina Aguilera was performing. We think Christina did the classic song justice, and we think Etta herself would agree with us. Check out the video.

Source: MTV Buzzworthy

[PHOTOS] CHRISTINA AGUILERA, STEVIE WONDER, AND ROB LEWIS AT ETTA JAMES' FUNERAL

[PHOTOS] CHRISTINA AGUILERA, MAX, AND FRIENDS LEAVING THE "IMMORTAL" WORLD TOUR SHOW

Credits: Xtina.Pl

[NEWS] CHRISTINA NAILED HER IDOL'S SONG 'AT LAST' WITH AN UNBELIEVABLE RENDITION

The funeral for the late great Etta James, who died January 20 at age 73, was held yesterday, and the list of attendees read like a who's who in Hollywood -- particularly the music industry.

Reverend Al Sharpton officiated the private ceremony at the City of Refuge Church in Gardenia, California, where he read a personal note from President Obama which stated,"Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and for her many contributions to our nation's musical heritage." Other celebrities present at the sad occasion were Christina Aguilera and Stevie Wonder, both who performed.

It was a somber event, and Etta is clearly going to be missed by all. But it was Aguilera's moving performance of "At Last", which she actually regularly includes in her concerts, that stole the show. Check out the video.

It can't be easy to perform one of your idol's most well-known songs at her funeral, but Christina nailed it, singing with love, grace, and respect. It was beautiful, and totally didn't seem like a "look at me, I'm a celebrity" moment. And, wow, what an honor it must have been to have been asked to perform. Christina told People,

"Etta wasn't just any performer, she was a strong woman whose talent came from a place so deep it moved people in ways they never felt before. Losing her was, to me, like losing a part of my soul."

The impact Etta had on the music industry -- and Christina-- clearly is indelible. And although the world is a bit darker without her in it, her legend will undoubtedly live on forever. Especially if Christina has anything to do with it. Nice job, girl.

Source: The Stir

[NEWS] CHRISTINA AGUILERA GAVE THE PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME FOR ETTA JAMES

Christina Aguilera gave the performance of a lifetime when she sang "At Last" at Etta James' funeral. Aguilera poured all of her heart and soul into the performance to pay tribute to a woman she called "her idol."

Christina was dressed in a black suit and had her hair pulled into a sweeping up-do as she bravely stood before James' family and close friends and said,

"Out of all the singers that I've ever heard, she was the one that cut right to my soul and spoke to me."

It was clearly an emotional experience for Aguilera and it appeared that she had tears in her eyes as she began to sing.

She brought the crowd to their feet as she finished the song belting out notes that are impossible for most of today's stars. She has always been a fan of Etta's, she even sang the Etta James' song "A Sunday Kind of Love" on Star Search in 1990. That performance earned her second place on the popular televised talent show.

As much as Christina loved Etta, Etta seemed to love her too. Back in 2006, Etta had this to say about Christina,

"When I first heard her stuff, and I heard her say on TV, [in response to the question] where she got her style, 'I grew up on Etta James,' that made me feel so good. The last person who said that was Janis Joplin, but Christina can sing. Janis was good, but there's a difference in the quality of voice. I couldn't believe that big sound, that big voice was coming out of her. Tell me who you've seen that sings like her, because we don't have anybody."

Then to Aguilera she said,

"It's like you were here many years ago. You don't look exactly like them, but there's something about you that's like Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, those kinds of chicks. I've never seen a girl sing as tough as you sing, as little as you are. It's like you're an old soul."

It was only fitting that Christina Aguilera sing "At Last" at Etta James' funeral. No one else could have done it better. Click HERE to see the performance, but you should probably grab some tissues first!

Source: CelebsGather

[VIDEO] @HIPHOLLYWOOD BREAKS DOWN THE CEREMONIOUS CELEBRATION OF MISS ETTA JAMES

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[NEWS] WALL STREET JOURNAL: 'CHRISTINA AGUILERA'S TAKE ON 'AT LAST' WAS HOT & URBAN'

The funeral of R&B legend Etta James was a star-studded affair, with appearances by Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera.

The event was held yesterday in the City of Refuge Church in Gardena, California.

Aguilera was a long-time admirer of James, and paid tribute to her idol by singing James’s signature song “At Last.” It’s a tune that has been much covered over the years; notably, Beyonce sang it while President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama took their first dance at an inaugural ball in Washington, D.C. (Beyonce also played James in the 2008 movie “Cadillac Records.”) The song was written in 1941 and James popularized it in the early 1960s.

“There’s a line in this song that says ‘I found a dream that I could speak to,’” Aguilera said before she began to sing. “And for me that dream, all my life, has been Etta James.”

Aguilera delivered a full-throated rendition, with minimal accompaniment. Her vocal swoops and growls drew appreciative cheers and whistles from the funeral goers.

Aguilera’s singing often spurs debate. Last year, her live version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was roasted by some commentators when, caught up in the passion of the song, she fumbled a few lines. And her vocal runs during an Aretha Franklin tribute were so masterful, she may have overshadowed the other divas sharing the stage.

While Beyonce’s version of “At Last” was warm and urbane, Aguilera’s take on the song was hot and urban. Her fiery interpretation has won over some gospel lovers, but alienated some listeners who found her vocals overdone, and have sounded off across the web.

“Thank you Etta James for the inspiration–I love you,” Aguilera said at the end of her performance.

You can listen to the song here. What did you think of Aguilera’s version? How did you feel about Beyonce’s take? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Source: WallStreetJournal

[PHOTO] 'THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF POP' FT. XTINA, BRITNEY, MADONNA, LADY GAGA + MORE

Credits: MerlitoDesigns

[TWEET] @SLAUGHTERATION: 'WATCHING MJ IMMORTAL SHOW!! @THEREALXTINA @PAULMORENTE @MOSLAUGHTER...'

[TWEET] @ANAOLICON: 'OMG! IT'S @THEREALXTINA I'M FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW!

[NEWS] CHRISTINA AGUILERA PAYS TRIBUTE TO ETTA JAMES

Etta James was remembered in words and music Saturday at a funeral in Gardena, Calif., featuring a moving performance of "At Last" by Christina Aguilera.

Aguilera, who includes the song in her shows, offered this tribute to the 73-year-old R&B legend for PEOPLE:

"It isn't every day that an artist can meet the person who inspired them and their career. Not only did I have the incredible opportunity of meeting my idol, the legendary Ms. Etta James, but to be asked by her family to perform at her memorial was so very touching and yet bitter sweet.

"Etta wasn't just any performer, she was a strong woman whose talent came from a place so deep it moved people in ways they never felt before. Losing her was, to me, like losing a part of my soul.

"I can only hope that she felt the love in the room as we all came together to pay tribute to her and celebrate her life as a person and as an artist. She will be deeply missed and I thank her family for allowing me such a great honor."

– Christina Aguilera

Source: People

[PHOTOS] CHRISTINA AGUILERA AND MATT RUTLER IN SANTA MONICA (1-29-12)