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Christina Aguilera unveiled a striking new look as she stepped out in a sleek black leather dress at the glittering 2026 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony gala.
The pop icon, known for her hit “Genie in a Bottle,” captivated onlookers in an elegant off-the-shoulder gown by designer Salih Balta. Aguilera posed for cameras at the prestigious event held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday night.
Fans were surprised by her bold transformation, as she sported a chic short blonde bob, a notable change from her signature flowing locks.
The 45-year-old star completed her ensemble with a statement choker necklace, eye-catching silver rings, and stylish black strappy heels, enhancing her glamorous appearance for the evening.
Alongside her on this dazzling night was her fiancé, Matthew Rutler, making the occasion a rare and romantic date night. The couple has been engaged since 2014, adding a special touch to the star-studded affair.
The long-term couple didn’t shy away from packing on the PDA for photographers, as Rutler placed a warm kiss on his fiancée’s cheek.
For his part, the businessman, 41, sported a classic black suit.
Aguilera and Rutler were among the A-list attendees at the event to celebrate the greatest minds in science.
The Breakthrough Prize Ceremony honors the world’s top scientists’ achievements with a gala awards and $3 million in prize money for researchers in the fields of life sciences, fundamental physics and mathematics.
The gala was founded by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, his wife, Priscilla Chan, Julia and Yuri Milner, Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki.
The group celebrated winners from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania and more.
Robert Downey Jr., Ben Affleck, Margot Robbie, Zoe Saldana, Paris Hilton, Lionel Richie, Michelle Yeoh, John Legend and Rob Lowe were just some of the many stars who attended and mingled with tech moguls and scientists inside.
Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates also made an appearance and smiled at reporters while making his way down the carpet.