Sabrina Carpenter and Christina Aguilera join forces for a 25th anniversary duet

Carpenter and Aguilera teamed up for a reimagined version of "What a Girl Wants," celebrating its 25th anniversary.

In a unique 25th-anniversary celebration of Christina Aguilera’s debut album, Sabrina Carpenter joined the pop icon for a duet of "What a Girl Wants." 

The pair performed a more mellow version of the song during a live event at Spotify Music Studios in Los Angeles, as part of Spotify’s Anniversary video series. This reimagined performance marked a significant moment for Carpenter, who was born the same year Aguilera’s hit single “Genie in a Bottle” was released.

Before launching into the performance, Carpenter, visibly excited, shared her admiration for Aguilera. "I was freaking out," she admitted, recalling how she first discovered Aguilera’s music through a childhood video her mother showed her. 

The video featured Aguilera singing Etta James' "A Sunday Kind of Love" at just 8 years old, which left a lasting impression on the young Carpenter. "That was just like the most inspiring thing for me ever," she said. "Aguilera was the main reason that I started singing and wanted to become a singer."

Aguilera’s debut album, released in 1999, catapulted her to stardom, earning her a Grammy for best new artist and a top spot on the Billboard charts. 

Carpenter’s collaboration with Aguilera added to her own momentum, following her tribute to iconic blondes at the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month, where she performed a medley including her song "Espresso" and paid homage to stars like Britney Spears and Madonna.