2006–2007

In March 2006, Aguilera signed a contract with European cell phone operator Orange to promote the new Sony Ericsson Walkman phone. She was featured in a Pepsi commercial alongside Lebanese singer Elissa, as well as Korean pop singer Rain in May. The spot aired during the 2006 World Cup.

She posed nude for a Marilyn Monroe-inspired photoshoot in the May 2006 issue of GQ magazine. She also granted the magazine an interview in that issue, in which she expressed disappointment in fellow singer Mariah Carey, saying, She was never cool to me... to the point that one time we were at a party, and I think she got really drunk, and she had just really derogatory things to say to me. In response, Carey issued a press release saying, It is sad yet predictable that she would use my name at this time to reinvent past incidents for her promotional gain. Aguilera then released her own statement claiming, My intentions were not to upset Mariah with any statements that were published or taken out of context. I have all the respect in the world for her.

Audio samples:
Ain't No Other Man (2006)

The lead single from her album Back to Basics.
Hurt (2006)

The second single from her album Back to Basics.
Candyman (2007)

The third single from her album Back to Basics.

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Aguilera's third English studio album, Back to Basics, released August 15, 2006, went to #1 in thirteen countries. The critically-acclaimed lead single Ain't No Other Man was a substantial success, reaching #2 on the United World Chart, #6 in the U.S., and the top 5 in Europe. Aguilera described the double CD as a throwback to the 20s, 30s, and 40s-style jazz, blues, and feel-good soul music, but with a modern twist. Producers on the album included DJ Premier, Kwam?, Linda Perry, and Mark Ronson. One track, F.U.S.S., was written as a response to the animosity between Aguilera and Scott Storch during the recording of Stripped. In the interview with Maxim, she said, That’s a way of burying my experience with him. We did great work on Stripped... When I tried to work with him again, he made uncalled-for demands. It was disappointing that someone would get affected like that. She received writing credit for every track and was the executive producer for the album, which debuted at number one in the U.S. and the U.K. The follow-up singles did very well in different regions, Hurt in Europe and Candyman in the Pacific. She co-directed both music videos, the former with Floria Sigismondi who directed her Fighter video, and the latter, Candyman, with director/photographer Matthew Rolston which was inspired by The Andrews Sisters.


Aguilera performing with the first wardrobe on the Back to Basics Tour.Aside from promoting her own album, Aguilera collaborated with Sean Diddy Combs on a track, titled Tell Me, from his album Press Play. The single was released in late 2006. The single debuted at number #20 in the UK based on downloads alone, then jumped to number #8 the next week.

She announced her Back to Basics Tour with eighteen European dates which began November 17 in Sheffield and ended December 17 in Prague. Following this, contrary to her previous plans to tour blues and jazz clubs for a more intimate setting, she will tour North America in a 41-date arena tour, which began February 20, 2007 in Houston and ended on May 23 in San Diego. After this, she toured Asia and Australia, which began June 18 in Osaka and was supposed to end on August 3 in Auckland. She however canceled her last two dates in Melbourne and her final two in Auckland due to an illness. She insisted that the jazz club tour would push through sometime after.

At the 49th Grammy Awards, Aguilera again won the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Ain't No Other Man. She made a noteworthy performance at the ceremony paying tribute to James Brown with her rendition of his song It's a Man's Man's Man's World. In January 2007, Aguilera was named the 19th richest woman in entertainment by Forbes, with a net worth of US$60 million.

On September 16, 2007, Aguilera performed Steppin' Out With My Baby with Tony Bennett live on the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards. That same evening, Tony Bennett won 2 Emmys for Tony Bennett: An American Classic, which Aguilera was a part of. In addition, the Saturday Night Live episode in which Aguilera was the musical guest won an Emmy