EAT YOUR COLORS - August 2023

What the F*CK is Up,

NEW YORK?

“What the F*CK is up New York?” Those were the 1st speaking words, Christina Aguilera shouted as she showered us with her magahits: Your Body; Dirty; Can’t Hold Us Down; Vanity; (and of course) Genie in a Bottle. Let me tell you, the Pride Island 2023 crowd lost their sh*t! Xtina looked and sounded like a Goddess. Her voice was on point (always) and she’s as beautiful as ever.

Christina Aguilera thanked the adoring fans at Pride Island and said,

“I’m so happy to have you guys as part of my family and a part of my journey. I can do nothing without all of you and your support. I love you!”

The Grammy-award winning Best New Artist sauntered into a heartfelt version of What a Girl Wants and a stirring, vibrant rendition of Ain’t No Other Man.

The talented writer and performer, Ian Axel (A Great Big World), joined Xtina on the Pride Island Stage to perform Say Something (I’m Giving Up on You). The crowd was filled with emotions- everyone around me either had tears in their eyes or had their eyes closed. Lots of us were singing our hearts out too.

I could not believe all the hit songs that kept on coming. Christina Aguilera gave Pride Island spectators a damn near full-concert with all her hits.

The lights went dark again and all we can see in a bright red neon-sign was the word BURLESQUE. Xtina sang the Hell out of that number too, the only way Christina can. Nooooooo nope, no lip-syncing tonight at Pride Island.

From there, we hear Xtina say, “Where’s all my Soul Sisters, let me hear y’all flow Sisters” as the crowds sang along to the beginning of Lady Marmalade. Then to everyone’s grand surprise, the booming voice of a Special Guest appeared- ADAM LAMBERT and the crowd goes insane yet again! Not one, but two power-house voices at the same time and on the same stage? It was almost too much to witness, but we ate up every second of the spectacle. There are not many singers that can match and go toe-to-toe with the incredible voice of Christina Aguilera- but Adam Lambert could and did!

Christina Aguilera then went into the powerful message of Beautiful. With what is going on today with the LGBTQ+ Communities, the song touch vital nerves for all of us at Pride Island.

“I am Beautiful, no matter what they say, words can’t bring me down.

I am Beautiful in every single way. ”

A lot of us felt and championed ever word of that song that night on Pride Island and it was truly magical. I could never forget it.

I still can’t believe that the hits kept on coming and coming. I believe Xtina was scheduled to give us 30 minutes of music, which in fact is a long time to perform for a benefit. We were treated to the Xtina Show and we all loved it

Christina then gave us Fighter, one of my favorite Xtina songs! I remember directing and making videos with my nieces to that incredible song. That song among the crowds and Pride flags felt so empowering.

These were just a few of the songs Christina “Xtina” Aguilera blessed us with but she ended with a final message with her last song of the night-

“Let There Be Love.”

She told us to love ourselves and to love one another. As she left the stage, the band still playing at full throttle, fireworks sparkled through the night at Pride Island (Brooklyn Army Terminal) with brilliance. We all felt lucky, beautiful and proud to experience such an evening with Christina Aguilera