In the late '90s, Christina Aguilera burst onto the scene with "Genie in a Bottle" and became one of the most talked-about pop stars of our generation. Growing up, she was nothing short of an icon to me: fabulous, in your face, and a little bit raunchy in all the right ways. I discovered the vaguest of vague hints about what sex was with "Genie." I sang "Come on Over" at top volume in the shower. I admit, she lost me a little bit with "Dirrty" (a grammar nerd to the core, I couldn't get behind the double-R spelling). But I always forgave her because of her Moulin Rouge collab — I made many a camp counselor uncomfortable back in my early teens by performing "dances" to Lady Marmalade with friends at talent shows.

So when the opportunity to recreate some of her most "memorable" outfits came my way, I jumped at the chance. No exaggeration, I literally replied to the email within eight minutes. Is this yet another piece of stunt journalism in an overly saturated internet market? Sure. Was it also a chance for me to live out my teenage fantasies with some painstakingly crafted costumes that made me feel like a risqué fairy princess? YOU BET.

Genie in a Bottle, 1999

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My day began with hair and makeup (Me! Normal Person™ who only just mastered eyeliner, with a full team of professionals at my disposal!). The beauty gurus transformed me into my first look of the day: Xtina in her younger, simple years à la "Genie in a Bottle." I loved the outfit from the moment I tried it on. It was among the more covered ensembles of the day, and I was really feeling the Gwen Stefani-esque orange cargo pants. I told Cosmopolitan.com's style director, Charles — who sewed, hot-glued, and styled all the outfits — that I'd be keeping it after the shoot, to which he said, "No." Hey, girl can dream.

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RCA/Ruben Chamarro

Orange Cargo Pants, M&M SCRUBS (Available at Amazon), $20; White Crop Top (Customized), AMERICAN APPAREL, $26

One thing I learned quickly on this adventure of Aguilerian proportions: It's easy to pose, but it's a lot harder to recreate someone else's pose perfectly. Every time I'd get my arms right, my head would be at the wrong angle.

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I'm a Genie In a BoooottllleeeeeA video posted by @ali_drucker on Aug 22, 2016 at 1:00pm PDT

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Despite these seriously "woe is me" challenges, I did my best to smize through it all and serve some face.

Waist, Abdomen, Trunk, Blond, Chest, Brown hair, Shelf, Dessert, Belt, Cocktail, pinterest
Ruben Chamarro

But imitating famous singers is both mentally and physically exhausting, so naturally we all had to stop at Starbucks to refuel. *Sigh*, even pop stars can't get their names spelled right.

Grammy Awards, 1999

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Getty/Ruben Chamarro

Silver Sequined Dress (Customized), YANDY, $108

When Christina wasn't busy singing catchy top 40 hits that buried themselves deep in our ear canals, she was sweeping award shows. Christina has been nominated for 18 Grammys in her career and has won five. She wore this sparkly silver number to the 1999 Grammys, where she earned the coveted title of Best New Artist.

What this outfit lacked in boob support it made up for in extra-long hair extensions. To gauge its crowd appeal, we took it on a test-drive of perilous magnitude: lunch in midtown Manhattan. Because really, what is our generation's red carpet if not the epically long line at Chipotle?

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Ruben Chamarro

Burrito trophy > Grammy.

Dirrty, 2002

Then it was time to lather up the dirt and body mist. That's right, it was DIRRRRRRRRTY time. The painted leather chaps were the unexpected breakout star of the day for me. I went into this one expecting to be the most self-conscious, and to some degree, I was right. I definitely felt like I had planned a trip to the beach and then got sidetracked to an underground rodeo that didn't quite meet health-code regulations. But it was a look that was so wildly different from what I'd wear in real life that it was easy to get lost in it, in a good way. Thanks to the layers of makeup, not one but two wigs, and a very skimpy bikini, I managed to feel a little bit of what I imagine Christina must have felt in that music video shoot: pretty damn hot.

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RCA/Ruben Chamarro

White Bikini Top (Customized), AMERICAN APPAREL, $25; Red Bikini Bottom, YANDY, $20; Black and Red Studded Pleather Chaps (Customized), YANDY, $79, Platinum and Black Wig, YANDY, $24

As the photo shoot totally normal day trucked on, my usual responsibilities did as well. Nothing like answering a phone call decked out in what was essentially dental floss and plastic pants.

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Ruben Chamarro

I fully intend to show this photo to my future children one day and say, "See kids? Look at what Mommy used to do for attention. LOOK AT IT!"

MTV Video Music Awards, 2002

Clothing, Footwear, Leg, Denim, Textile, Style, Waist, Thigh, Boot, Headgear, pinterest
Getty/Ruben Chamarro

Blue Scarf (Worn as Top), MISSONI (Available at Amazon), $17; Denim Shorts (Customized as Skirt), H&M, $19; White Hat, BETMAR (Available at Amazon), $27; Black Lace-Up Boots, YANDY, $52; Black Knit Socks (Customized), YANDY, $8; Platinum and Black Wig, YANDY, $24

The next look was Christina's infamous scarf-top VMAs outfit that shocked crowds in 2002. It included a terrifying denim miniskirt that looked more like a belt than formalwear and which the team at Cosmo lovingly dubbed "the coochie skimmer."

Like with most of the outfits, my fears subsided once I got the clothes on and reminded myself I was walking around an office full of mercifully supportive coworkers, and not accepting an award in front of millions of people. Although, this is on the internet in perpetuity now, so…

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Ruben Chamarro

TBH, I'm sort of loving this hat. Bratz Doll chic, anyone?

MTV Movie Awards, 2001

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Getty/Ruben Chamarro

Sheer Black Lace Bustier, YANDY, $26; Striped Jeans (Customized), GENETIC LOS ANGELES (Available at Amazon), $105; Blonde Wig, YANDY, $24

Heading into the homestretch, not even wearing an entirely sheer corset as a top fazed me. It was easily one of the most demure ensembles of the day and the hot pink ringlets were a welcome change of pace from the Dirrty-era crusty hair braids. I was practically walking on air as I confused quite a few cab drivers while recreating her joyful wave at the 2001 MTV Movie Awards.

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Ruben Chamarro

Lady Marmalade, 2001

The cherry on the fashionably bold pop sensation sundae was easily Christina's "Lady Marmalade" Moulin Rouge outfit. Can you even call it an outfit? It's more like a masterpiece. Also, full disclosure: It's the one ensemble I asked for by name when I agreed to take on these shenanigans. And I felt fierce AF in it.

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Interscope/Ruben Chamarro

Red Corset (Customized), YANDY, $60; Red Satin Opera-Length Gloves (Customized), YANDY, $10; Black Bikini Bottom, YANDY, $14; Black Fishnet Stay-Ups, YANDY, $6; Red Patent Platform Boots, $54

The giant, teased-out curls, the candy apple red corset, the fishnet thigh-highs — it had all the elements of every Halloween costume I ever wanted to wear but felt too self-conscious to try, and it represented such a badass moment in music history. After all, who can argue with the spirit of "Lady Marmalade"? It had everything: women unapologetically in touch with their sexuality; high notes that reached impossible altitudes; fancy hats. This is the song that not only amped you up on the dance floor but offered unassailable financial planning advice: "We independent women, some mistake us for whores / I'm sayin', why spend mine when I can spend yours?"

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Ruben Chamarro

If I could have worn this all day, I would have.

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Ruben Chamarro

It would be easy to look back at some of Christina Aguilera's early looks and pass judgment. After all, they are quite bare and most certainly out there, especially when you compare them to how her style has evolved now. But a celebrity's job is to get noticed. And she definitely accomplished that. Not only that, she had The Voice (I'm sorry) to back it up. Transforming into this bastion of pop culture power was terrifying, tricky, and tremendously fun. Would I wear an uber-short, asymmetrical sequin gown out in public again? Nah. I don't think any of her fashion exploits are going to influence my future sartorial choices. But I do have a newfound respect for the amount of confidence it takes to wear something so bold and look like you're enjoying the hell out of it.

Christina, girl, wherever you are, may your scarves be soft, your corsets properly strung, and your hair teased sky-high. Never change.

Photographer:Ruben Chamorro

Stylist: Charles Manning

Hair Stylist: Jackie Seabrooke

Makeup Artist: Elisa Flowers at Bernstein & Andriulli

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Ali Drucker
Ali Drucker is Cosmopolitan.com’s Senior Sex & Relationships editor. She likes The X-Files, condoms, and finds writing charming bios in the third person difficult.