It’s no small feat to drop jaws in Las Vegas, a city famed for its endless surprises. Yet, Christina Aguilera managed to do just that, flaunting a phenomenal 40-pound weight loss at the kick-off of her highly anticipated residency at The Voltaire, The Venetian. Fans and newbies to the Xtina craze alike witnessed an inspired performance, showcasing her hallmarked vocal dynamism alongside her newly transformed silhouette.

Let’s face it; weight transformations in the spotlight often eclipse the talent behind them. But when you’ve got the chops that made “Genie in a Bottle” a global hit, it’s clear that the scales—weight and musical ones—are just another instrument for a star to master. As Christina Aguilera redefines her image and sound, she sets a high bar not just for pop divas but for Vegas standouts.

See the full story in TMZ.