But the Pepsi/Britney-Coke/Christina face-off is more than just an echo of the NSYNC/ McDonald's-Backstreet Boys/Burger King battle of 2000. Ah, who can forget that glorious heyday of marketing?

HOP ON POP

Christina Declares That What A Girl Wants Is A Coke And A Smile
The only dance number during the Oscar telecast on March 25 was the one Britney Spears threw down as Pepsi kicked off its new campaign.

Now, Coca-Cola is joining the pop princess parade by enlisting Christina Aguilera to uncork the genie in the company's 20-oz., recyclable bottles. Aguilera will begin appearing in the TV spots this May, reports E! Online. She'll also take part in Coke's summer 2001 promotion, where Coke drinkers will vie for a million-dollar prize, as well as a chance to meet Aguilera. Other prizes include a hoops game with Kobe Bryant and a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl with ESPN's Chris Berman.

Despite the obvious similarities, Coke insists that it isn't copying Pepsi. The company had signed Aguilera for a Latin American campaign last year.

But the Pepsi/Britney-Coke/Christina face-off is more than just an echo of the NSYNC/McDonald's-Backstreet Boys/Burger King battle of 2000. Ah, who can forget that glorious heyday of marketing? It's just one more instance in which the two mini-divas have been pitted against one another in their creepily parallel paths.

Allow us to shed some light on it:

  • Britney is a woman. Christina is a woman. (Push.)
  • Britney is blonde. Christina is blonde. (Push.)
  • Britney started out on The Mickey Mouse Club. Christina started out on The Mickey Mouse Club. (Push.)
  • Britney released a successful debut album. Christina released a successful debut album. (Push.)
  • Britney has millions of fiercely loyal fans who hate Christina. Christina has millions of fiercely loyal fans who hate Britney. (Push.)
  • Britney claims to be a virgin. Christina denies having sex with Carson Daly or Fred Durst. (Advantage Britney.)
  • People claim Britney's boobs are fake. Christina recently learned to speak Spanish and released a Spanish-language album. (Push.)
  • Britney was nominated for the 2000 Best New Artist Grammy. Christina won the 2000 Best New Artist Grammy. (Advantage Christina.)
  • Britney can bend steel bars with her bare hands. Christina can burn holes in walls with her laser vision. (Push.)

Of course, only time will tell whether the Joy of Cola will reign triumphant or fans will Always choose Coca-Cola. Until that time, one thing is for certain: Drinking a cola will make us all feel just a little bit naughtier.

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