'I'm still affected': Christina Aguilera opens up about 'chaotic' and 'abusive childhood' in new podcast
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Christina Aguilera has opened an intimate chapter of her life during an interview on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast. The Grammy winner shared that she had an abusive childhood and an abusive father. "I grew up in a chaotic upbringing as a very young child, always feeling like a protector and all that, and always felt isolated in my situation," she said. Aguilera, 42, added, "You have to listen to your body, and fear is something that you innately feel, so right then and there something doesn't feel good, and it's not right."
The ‘Lady Marmalade’ singer felt deep compassion for her mother, and it still bothers her, "At 42, I'm still affected by this. It's under the surface. Trauma never leaves you. You just figure out ways to try and heal it, and to me, it's therapeutic to speak about it." The 'Playground' co-founder, during her podcast, explained how she used her experience to help others in similar circumstances. She said, "I always want to try and empower other people and people in situations where they feel voiceless and unheard. I just have such a deep-rooted need to try and use my voice. The most challenging part of experiencing an abusive relationship is the ‘shame’ and ‘anger’ it brings with itself," according to People.
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'I'm so protective mama bear'
"It takes a lot for a woman to leave those situations as well, and my heart goes out because some of them don't leave them, and that could vary in a lot of ways," said Aguilera. "Sometimes it's financial, sometimes it's fear of authorities not helping, and then it getting worse. Sometimes it feels like there's no way out," shared the ‘Can’t Hold Us Down’ singer. Aguilera talked about how she uses her experience while parenting, "That's why I'm so adamant with my daughter. I'm like, 'First time somebody ever hits you, the first time somebody makes you feel not right about yourself, [you leave]. I'm so 'protective mama bear.'"
'All my dogs are rescues'
The artist shared that she cares not just about people but animals too. "When you're in those situations, you grow up really fast, and you become an immediate caretaker and protector of the person that's being hurt. So yeah, this is just kind of like my role. All my dogs are rescues. I'm just that person that wants to help."