SHE WALKED ON STAGE… AND FOR A MOMENT, MANY PEOPLE COULDN’T BELIEVE THEY WERE LOOKING AT CHRISTINA AGUILERA. At a star-studded event attended by former President Obama and some of the biggest names in entertainment, Christina Aguilera immediately became the center of attention—not only because of her unmistakable voice, but because of a dramatically different appearance that had fans flooding social media with reactions. Yet as soon as the music began, the conversation changed. Performing the timeless classic *What A Wonderful World*, Aguilera delivered an emotional tribute filled with warmth, elegance, and the vocal power that first made her a global superstar. The atmosphere quickly shifted from curiosity to admiration as her voice carried through the room and captivated the audience.

Christina Aguilera put on a dazzling display at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday – but some fans were stunned by the star’s strikingly different visage.

The pop icon, 45, gave a show-stopping performance as she belted out her rendition of Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World, which was chosen by Obama himself.

Aguilera’s blonde locks were styled in their signature waves as she took to the stage, but some social media users immediately noted that her face may have been altered with the help of heavy makeup or some surgical tweaks.

‘Is that an X-tina imposter or the real deal?’ one asked.

‘The voice is hers, but the face is not,’ a second stated.

A third felt the singer looked ike her former co-star Cher from the 2010 film Burlesque: ‘Christina resembles Cher when Cher wears a blonde wig.’

Christina Aguilera put on a dazzling display at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday

Christina Aguilera put on a dazzling display at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday

The star gave a show-stopping performance as she was dressed in a pale beige semi-sheer sparkling gown

The star gave a show-stopping performance as she was dressed in a pale beige semi-sheer sparkling gown

Aguilera was just one of the many stars who took to the stage at the at the event, with some of Obama’s other favorite performers also belting out songs.

Bono, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder were all in attendance, while Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem.

Legend sang Someday We´ll All Be Free and was joined by the rapper Common and Uniting Voices Chicago for their Academy Award-winning song Glory.

Bono, who said he was there representing the Irish, joined with The Edge in singing the U2 song City of Blinding Lights.

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The Roots served as the house band.

And Springsteen belted out Land of Hopes and Dreams before turning to the Obamas and saying, ‘I love you.’

Wonder sang All I Do and Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) as the Obamas smiled, danced in their seats and sang along. Wonder then brought other performers back on stage to close with a rousing rendition of Higher Ground.

Other celebrities at the event included Oprah Winfrey, comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert, actor Tom Hanks and tennis legend Billie Jean King.

Former President Obama and former first lady Michelle and their daughters shared the stage with former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

But the 45-year-old also looked remarkably different with her hair worn in soft waves around her face

But the 45-year-old also looked remarkably different with her hair worn in soft waves around her face

Fans noticed as they took to X to write, 'Is that an X-tina imposter or the real deal?' while another said, ' The voice is hers, but the face is not'

Fans noticed as they took to X to write, ‘Is that an X-tina imposter or the real deal?’ while another said, ‘ The voice is hers, but the face is not’

Another felt she looked a bit like her co-star Cher from the 2010 film Burlesque. Seen in 2023

Another felt she looked a bit like her co-star Cher from the 2010 film Burlesque. Seen in 2023

Former Vice President Kamala Harris was also in attendance.

‘I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is and remind us what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens,’ Obama told the crowd.

President Donald Trump was conspicuous both in his physical absence and by not being mentioned by any of the speakers or performers. Trump called the $850 million center a ‘total disaster’ in a social media post in February.

Obama voiced his support for character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion and sense of duty, praising both Democrats and Republicans, including those he defeated.

‘Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did,’ Obama said. ‘It is our greatest inheritance.’

Marc Anthony, who used to be wed to Jennifer Lopez, wore a dark suit for his performance

Marc Anthony, who used to be wed to Jennifer Lopez, wore a dark suit for his performance

Mr and Mrs Biden could be seen watching the crooner sing

Mr and Mrs Biden could be seen watching the crooner sing

Bruce Springsteen (L) and Eddie Vedder were accompanied by The Roots

Bruce Springsteen (L) and Eddie Vedder were accompanied by The Roots

(L-R) Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Common and Stevie Wonder

(L-R) Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Common and Stevie Wonder

Bono (L) and The Edge of U2

Bono (L) and The Edge of U2

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King said hello to California Governor Gavin Newsom

 Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King said hello to California Governor Gavin Newsom

Reflecting on his arrival in Chicago in 1985 as an untested political organizer, Obama said he could not have built the center anywhere else. He met his future wife Michelle nearby, their wedding reception was within walking distance, his children were born in the neighborhood and he launched his first candidacy not far away.

‘It´s an expression of thanks, an acknowledgment that so much of what I hold most dear I owe to the people of this city and the people of the surrounding neighborhoods,’ Obama said.

Michelle spoke directly to her husband when she stepped up to the podium. ‘Eight years in the crucible and not once did you melt in the heat. Not once did you let it harden you.

‘Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence,’ she said. ‘Your stubborn optimism and unflinching courage. Your dazzling brilliance and unpretentious decency. Your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber. And to do it all as a first.’

She ticked off highlights from her husband’s eight years in office, including ordering the raid that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, ‘standing up for marriage equality’ and ‘listening to science.’

Joe and Jill Biden, Barack and Michelle Obama, George W. and Laura Bush, and Bill and Hillary Clinton

Joe and Jill Biden, Barack and Michelle Obama, George W. and Laura Bush, and Bill and Hillary Clinton

‘And you did it all with such grace and class and cool,’ she said. ‘You made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park.’

Obama appeared to wipe away a tear as she praised him.

Michelle also referenced the current ‘anxious and divisive times’ and warned against being cynical or complacent as ‘everything feels so upside down.’ She pitched the center as ‘a respite from all that.’

Former world leaders in attendance included former Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The invite-only celebration was livestreamed and kicks off a weekend of events centered around the Obama Presidential Center, which opens to the general public on Juneteenth. Thousands more watched from a nearby park.

‘This is not a monument to the Obamas,’ said Valerie Jarrett, the Obama Foundation´s chief executive and former Obama top adviser. ‘This is a tribute to all those who made this journey possible.’

The Obamas and Clintons

The Obamas and Clintons

The opening, like the ribbon-cuttings of other presidential libraries over the years, had a heavy focus on accomplishments. This former president also expressed some regrets – such as the increase in political polarization during his two terms. ‘It´s one of the few regrets of my presidency – that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better,’ Obama said in his final State of the Union.

‘Some of the exhibits reflect unfinished business,’ Obama said Thursday. ‘In some cases, my own shortcomings and mistakes.’

General admission tickets for the center are sold out through the end of October. More than a million visitors a year are expected at the nearly 20-acre campus.

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