Is Christina Aguilera's 'Not Myself Tonight' Video a Step Backwards?

The Hype Williams-directed video premiered on Aguilera's Web site at midnight in support of her upcoming album, 'Bionic.' Let's just say it makes the racy chaps she wore in 'Dirrty' look downright demure.

Christina literally sets her closet on fire in the steamy video -- and all that remains is jewel-encrusted bondage gear, skimpy red lingerie and a braless leather jumpsuit that warrants a little blurry censorship bar over her bosom. We're not sure we're allowed to describe a lot of what she's doing in the video in print, but we can say that pasties are worn, dog bowls are licked and birds are flipped -- all before she finally hits the bedroom with a hot male model in a romp that is likely to get the Parents Television Council in a tizzy. (See for yourself below.)




The Grammy-winning songstress first began shedding her naughty image in 2002 with inspirational tunes like 'Beautiful' and an image that was more fully-clad Celine Dion than belly-baring Britney Spears. Then she married producer Jordan Bratman and released a romantic video from their 2006 wedding set to her soulful song 'You Saved Me From Myself.' Two years later, she appeared serene and Earth Mothery in the first photos with son Max, now 2, on the cover of PEOPLE magazine. Christina was warm and mature -- and frankly, we kinda liked the whole softer side thing.

Little did we know her pregnancy would inspire "a more sexual Christina," as she described herself in a recent radio interview. Aguilera said, "Once you bounce back [from pregnancy] and kind of get your body back ... it's a great feeling." Of course, we don't blame her for wanting to flaunt her post-baby body. In fact, we salute her for regaining her 'Genie in a Bottle' era abs.

However, it seems a little suspect to us that Aguilera is returning to her naughty-girl image and baring more than ever before at precisely the same time she is releasing her first studio album since 2006's 'Back to Basics.' The fact that she is nearly-naked in the 'Not Myself' video will cause a stir, get the blogosphere clicking ... and yes, get us to write this article. The video will almost definitely be forwarded among fans and voyeurs, who will warn their friends that it is borderline NSFW (but that really depends on where you work). All of that buzz may help Aguilera sell more albums when 'Bionic' drops on June 8. Sex does sell, after all, but it isn't terribly original.

As Christina fans, we know she can do better. She saluted her love of jazz and soul in the 'Candyman' video, complementing her saucy lyrics with a vintage white suit, sailor's cap and gorgeous cherry red lipstick. She chilled out in a hoodie, engineering her own neo-Catwoman adventure, in the 'Keeps Getting Better' video, released in 2008. For the star-studded 'Lady Marmalade,' Christina's fishnets and garters fit the boudoir bill. And in the aforementioned 'Dirrty,' Christina got down in a boxing ring, spouting some pretty naughty lyrics but seeming tough and gritty. For some reason, those glimpses of her booty in the middle of the group dance numbers just didn't seem as gratuitous as the skin in her new video.

After creating all of these colorful characters, it's a little disappointing to see Christina just take it all off (except for a pair of pasties) again. We're all for sex appeal -- but at least rip a page from Madonna's book and make it innovative and interesting. (Stripping down to her bra was too easy for Madge -- so she opted for the cone variety and started a sensation!)

In this regard, Christina could also pick up a tip from Lady Gaga, whom she is often accused of copying, despite having a decade of platinum hair and shocking eye makeup on her. Gaga and Beyonce's 'Telephone' video proved that soda can hair rollers and a rotary-phone headdresses are more eye-popping than any lingerie.

We're not suggesting Christina pull on a pair of mom jeans and a turtleneck, though with her assets, she'd probably look great if she did. We respect her right to get in touch with her sexy side and we don't want her to give it up, but after watching her grow up, get wild and then chill out with marriage and birth, we'd like to see more of her softer, motherly side.

Cheesy, we know, but we picked up the whole inner beauty thing from Christina herself -- the 'Beautiful' video is one of our personal favorites.

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