Christina Aguilera appeared at The Abbey in West Hollywood last night for a ceremony that honored her “contribution to gay culture” and celebrated the mega-bar’s recent major renovations.

Arguably America’s best known gay bar, the Abbey celebrates 21 years of business this year and continues to serve as an epicenter for nightlife in West Hollywood.  A popular spot for a range of members in the LGBT community and their friends, the Abbey also happens to be an unusually good place for random celebrity sightings, with Vanessa Hudgens, Sandra Bullock, Zac Efron and Mary J. Blige included among those who have been spotted at the bar in the last year.

Aguilera joined Abbey Founder David Cooley for the unveiling of the bar’s new Gay Walk of Fame, designed to commemorate those who have made significant contributions to gay culture.  The singer and Abbey Founder placed their hands and feet in cement, establishing a new tradition that recalls the classic ritual made famous to most people by the iconic forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Aguilera turned up at the popular gay bar with her boyfriend Matthew Rutler and entered the venue in a racy black corset, fish nets, and a long black shaggy jacket, paying tribute to the ceremony’s the old-school Hollywood theme, which Aguilera later noted reminded her of her second to last album, “Back to Basics.”

Aguilera addressed the crowd after taking the stage, thanking them for coming out for the evening.  “It has been such a crazy time for me over the past year, she said.  “It feels so good to come full circle and be here with you guys.”

The singer added that The Abbey was one of her favorite places in LA and shouted that she was “so happy to be here with all of you!”  Just before putting her tiny heels into the cement, Aguilera cheered in her signature growl “To new beginnings!”

As she sank her hands into the pavement, the energized crowd chanted “Christina! Christina! Christina!” and when she got back up, the singer said “I literally got ‘Dirrty!’ Let’s have a good time tonight!”

Aguilera successfully whipped the excited crowd into a roaring frenzy during her brief time on stage, posing coyly several times on stage with a mock-astonished look on her face and a little hand over her mouth. This was definitely the Christina who was the playful flirt in the 2007 music video for her single “Candyman”, not the icier, robotic version who seemed to be the driving creative force behind last year’s “Bionic” album.  Perhaps because of a rather trying and public past year or perhaps because she was just comfortable in front of this crowd, Aguilera seemed genuinely appreciative and accessible, still the glamorous diva her fans love her for being, but a warmer, fun-loving gal who has appeared in the many promos and teasers for NBC’s soon-to-debut show “The Voice.”

After leaving the stage, Aguilera and her entourage retreated to one of the new VIP booths surrounding the dance floor in The Abbey’s new Elizabeth Taylor room, named after the late Dame and tireless activist for HIV/AIDS and other LGBT causes.

Aguilera and Cooley’s prints will be among the first set of prints, that will eventually be included on the Gay Walk of Fame located at the entrance of the bar.

Source: Examiner.com