Christina Aguilera embraces a new transformation on the cover of Paper

Pop star spoke about her upcoming projects, her latest transformation and why she's happy she helped paved the way for a new generation of pop artists

Christina Aguilera has appeared on the cover of the latest issue of Paper magazine, where she spoke about the transformations she has undergone during her career, and how she has learned to appreciate her "raw beauty".

Going for a minimalist look, the pop star stares down the lens as she holds her fingers to her lips, wearing a ring that says "Mom" on it with the headline reading: "Christina Aguilera: Transformation."

The interview noted how her hunger for experimentation in both her music and her style is "part of her unique appeal" - Aguilera said each one of her albums has allowed her to venture in a different direction and explore a different side of herself: "I need movement, I need to go explore, be an artist, create and transform," she said.

The 37-year-old will appear in two feature films this year, as a robot in the Drake Doremus sci-fi film Zoe, and as herself in Melissa McCarthy's upcoming comedy Life of the Party.

Commenting on today's music industry she said of new artists: "They don't have as much backlash when they come out on the scene. And I did. It was a very interesting and controversial time for me."

She noted it was much harder when she was emerging as a new artist - particularly as a woman - to take risks and also be sexually empowered.

"Either women are not sexual enough or we're not fulfilling enough of a fantasy for you, but then if we're overtly sexual or feeling empowered in a certain kind of way, then we're shamed for it," she said.

"Madonna had to go through it in her day, and she paved the way for my generation to come up. And paying it forward, now a younger generation is coming up and I'm loving what I'm seeing. It's so incredible."

You can read the full interview with Aguilera in Paper magazine here.