October 11, 2022
Watch: Christina Aguilera Revisits Music Video for Gay Anthem 'Beautiful'
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Christine Aguilera has revisited the music video for her 2002 gay anthem "Beautiful" in celebration of World Mental Health Day which, coincidentally, fell on Oct. 10 β the day before National Coming Out Day.
Aguilera took to Instagram on Oct. 10 to tease the arrival of the revamped music video for the 20-year-old song, which appeared on her album "Stripped."
Aguilera posted: "In celebration of the 20 year anniversary of Stripped and World Mental Health Day, I'm honored to share a new music video for Beautiful, coming October 19th π"
"Tune out and turn in," the post continued. "Take your space, log off, put your mind, body, and soul first."
"Originally released in 2002, the song contains uplifting lyrics that encourage listeners to believe in their own beauty, regardless of others' opinions," UK newspaper the Independent recalled.
"Notably, [the original music video] includes people attempting to change their body shape, a gay male couple kissing despite disapproving stares from onlookers, and a trans woman getting dressed," the Independent noted, before observing that the teaser for the new version of the video "shows rows of pre-teen and teenage girls applying heavy makeup in front of ring lights and smartphones, suggesting that the remake will tackle the realities of growing up with heavy internet influence."
Fans and followers weighed in on the news, with Paris Hilton posting, "Iconic π" in the comments section.
Another commented: "Literally heard this song yesterday and thought to myself how the world is so different now. And we need this song more than ever. It is sad. And I worry for the children that I know have π’"
"This song and the Stripped album was a godsend to me, especially as a high schooler when it was released," another follower said. "Thank you and congratulations on this milestone."
Agreed another: "I didn't see this coming! New generations need to relate to this song as I did when it came out πβ€οΈ"
Watch the original 2002 version of the music video below in advance of the new version's Oct. 19 release.