Christina Aguilera says she's 'f**ked up' her knees by wearing high heels during performances

Christina Aguilera recently revealed a long-term struggle with leg and knee problems, caused by years of performing in high heels. In an interview with Rolling Stone published on October 21, the five-time Grammy winner, 43, shared candid advice for younger artists, including a major regret from her own career.

While speaking with English singer-songwriter Raye, Aguilera praised Raye for performing barefoot, admitting that she wished she had done the same. “I’ve already messed up my legs and my feet so bad with all this high-heel nonsense,” Aguilera confessed. “I f**ked up the cartilage in my knee.”

She went on to explain how wearing high heels for years while performing took a physical toll. The constant strain on her feet and knees left Aguilera with long-lasting damage. “I never had the balls to just do it [perform barefoot],” she said. "I love that about you, though. I never had the balls to just do it. Those are the best when you just feel the floor underneath.”

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Talking about her "toughest vocal performance", the singer added, "It was 'A Song for You' with Herbie Hancock because the arrangement was so intricate, so delicate and full of ad-libs. It was a lot to try and perfect that life."

“I sang “Run to You” for Whitney Houston in front of her. That was nerve-wracking, but she couldn’t have been more sweet and lovely,” Aguilera added.

When asked if she ever felt out of control, she added, "When I came into this business, there was a really big pop boom, and it was very specific what a label wanted a pop star to look like, to sound like. I wanted it so bad."

She later added, “I felt like my voice was stifled. You’re going to have situations where you have no creative control or you’re in a position where your hands are tied. It’s just no place for an artist. When my hands feel too bound and I feel like there’s no breathing room, that’s when I start to suffer.”