Christina Aguilera and Sabrina Carpenter in the duet “What a Girl Wants”

“What a Girl Wants” just turned 25 – and Christina Aguilera is celebrating with a fascinating new interpretation of the song together with Sabrina Carpenter!

On 23 September Anniversaries LIVE intimate concert series released its latest production: Aguilera and Carpenter play a brand new version of the former Agree Coach's iconic song! It's a truly accomplished musical moment where past meets present, and for music fans, it was an unexpectedly wonderful surprise.

The new version of “What a Girl Wants” is powerful, over-the-top, and an absolute sonic treat for your ears. Carpenter's rich tone brings such depth to a classic song that fans didn't know could get even better in 2024. Watch the duet below at 19:30.

(We won't judge you if you need to catch your breath after this epic performance. It was that good!)

In a September 18 Instagram video featuring both women, Carpenter told Aguilera about the influence the “Genie in a Bottle” singer had on her at a very young age.

“I think the first time I heard your voice was when my mom played me a video of you singing 'A Sunday Kind of Love' when you were eight years old,” Carpenter explained about Aguilera's 1990s Star Search Look.

(The song that the young Aguilera sang? An Etta James classic, of course.)

“It was the most inspiring thing I've ever experienced. I was a young girl who wanted to sing but thought I couldn't do it at that age,” Carpenter continued.

Who would have thought that in 2024, the two talented artists would come together to transform one of Aguilera's biggest hits into something entirely new? And what's next? Will Aguilera transform Carpenter's “Espresso” into something equally impressive?

What you should know about “What Girls Want”

Originally recorded in 1998 and re-recorded in 1999 as the version most fans remember from radio, “What a Girl Wants” showcased Aguilera's powerful vocals after her decidedly pop-leaning debut single, “Genie in a Bottle,” made her a star.

The song, which was hot on the heels of the success of “Genie in a Bottle”, immediately climbed the charts and landed at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, further cementing her status as one of the biggest pop stars of the early 2000s. “What a Girl Wants” also topped the charts in countries such as Spain, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Countless artists have covered the song over the years – most notably Kelly Clarkson, who performed the song memorably during a Kellyoke segment of The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2021.