Christina Aguilera has returned with a fresh take on her beloved hit as “What a Girl Wants” celebrates its 25th anniversary. This milestone is marked by a stunning reimagining of the track in collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter.
On September 23, Aguilera and Carpenter delivered a brand-new performance of the iconic song during Spotify’s Anniversaries LIVE concert series. The rendition merges elements from both artists, creating a heartfelt blend of nostalgia and contemporary flair that has delighted music fans.
The revamped version of “What a Girl Wants” showcases powerful vocals and rich musicality, highlighting Carpenter’s impressive tone that adds new dimensions to the classic track. Fans can check it out, starting at the 19:30 mark in the concert.
In an Instagram video from September 18, Carpenter expressed her admiration for Aguilera, revealing that she has been inspired by the singer since childhood. Carpenter recounted how her mother introduced her to Aguilera’s early performance at the age of eight, where she sang “A Sunday Kind of Love,” an Etta James classic.
Carpenter shared how witnessing Aguilera’s talent as a young girl motivated her to pursue a singing career, noting how impactful that moment was for her.
The collaboration has surprised many, as it brings together two talented artists from different generations to transform one of Aguilera’s biggest hits. Fans are left wondering if Aguilera might similarly reimagine Carpenter’s work in the future.
“What a Girl Wants,” originally recorded in 1998 and re-recorded for radio release in 1999, highlighted Aguilera’s powerful vocals following the success of her debut single, “Genie in a Bottle.” The track quickly soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped charts in multiple countries, solidifying Aguilera’s status as a leading pop star of the early 2000s. Over the years, several artists, including Kelly Clarkson, have covered the song, with Clarkson notably performing it during a segment of her show in 2021.