Christina Aguilera Holds Hands With New Guy

Is Christina Aguilera ready to go public with her rebound man?

In Los Angeles Sunday, the star -- who filed for divorce from Jordan Bratman last month -- was photographed in L.A. holding hands with new guy Matt Rutler, a set assistant whom she met while making Burlesque.

It's definitely progress for the duo: The last time Rutler stepped out with Aguilera, 29 (during a Nov. 5 outing at L.A.'s Soho House with Nicole Richie and Joel Madden), he attempted to hide from the cameras.

"They've been on a few dates," a source told Us Magazine earlier this month, explaining that they reconnected after Aguilera's September separation from Bratman, her husband of five years.

Cautioned the source: "She's not looking to jump into a relationship right now. She...is focusing on spending as much time as possible with Max," her two-year-old son with Bratman, 33.

Rutler has been "really good for her and is helping her through this difficult time," adds the insider.

Credit: Us Magazine

Christina Aguilera Talks About "Love of My Life"

Although she filed for divorce from Jordan Bratman last month after five years of marriage, Christina Aguilera doesn't have to go it alone.

The Burlesque star, 29, admits there's "just a little bit" going on in her life now on Friday's Ellen DeGeneres Show -- but she gets solace from a special guy in her life.

No, not set assistant Matthew Rutler (they have been on "a few dates," according to a source) -- her little boy Max, 2!

"He's the love of my life," Aguilera gushes. "I adore him and he's such a character and he's so happy and at the end of the day, that's what's most important."

The star adds that her son with Bratman is "my focus first and foremost...More power to single moms and those out there doing it. I was raised by a single mom."

(Indeed, an insider told Us of Aguilera's fledgling romance with Rutler: "It's not serious. She's not looking to jump into a relationship right now. She has a lot going on with the movie and is focusing on spending as much time as possible with Max.")

Aguilera also reaches a major milestone on Dec. 18: her 30th birthday!

"It's better than turning 20, I'll tell you that," she tells Ellen DeGeneres. "You're more comfortable in your own skin as a woman. You have a better idea of what you want and how to get it. At this time in my life, it's a huge turning point, it's a transitional stage and I'm ready. I'm ready."

Credit: Us Magazine

Christina Aguilera & BF On Horse-Drawn Sleigh

Christina Aguilera celebrated her 30th birthday with her love Matthew Rutler in high, yuletide style on Saturday Dec. 18.

Sipping wine and wearing mouse-ear style earmuffs, Aguilera cuddled with Rutler in a white horse-drawn carriage; the duo stayed at Hotel le Lana, a luxury ski resort in Courchevel, France.

Set assistant Rutler befriended Aguilera while she shot Burlesque; they reconnected after her September split from husband Jordan Bratman. She and Bratman, 33 were married for five years and have a son, Max.

Rutler has been "really for her and is helping her through this difficult time," a pal recently told Us Magazine.

How does the star feel about turning 30? "It's better than turning 20, I'll tell you that," she told Ellen DeGeneres last month. "You're more comfortable in your own skin as a woman. You have a better idea of what you want and how to get it. At this time in my life, it's a huge turning point, it's a transitional stage and I'm ready. I'm ready."

Credit: Us Magazine

Christina Aguilera: New Chapter In The New Year

Christina Aguilera, who just turned 30, is ready for a fresh start – and what better way to celebrate than with a big bash for her family and friends?

The singer and Burlesque star threw a party at her Beverly Hills home on New Year's Eve, with 175 guests, including her new man Matt Rutler and celeb pals and newlyweds Nicole Richie and Joel Madden.

Aguilera – who toasted the New Year with a custom bottle of Moët champagne with her name engraved on it – wowed the crowd in a silver sequin Herve Leger dress and jeweled Christian Louboutin heels. "She was so excited!" a guest tells PEOPLE. "She was all smiles all night and really relaxed. She's had a tough year, but she looked genuinely happy."

Indeed, the singer recently confided her anticipation of the event in an interview with PEOPLE. "This party is all about counting down to the new chapter of my life," she said. "I'll be surrounded by friends and family who care and love me to death."

With the party and the kick off of 2011, she's closing the book on a difficult year in which she filed for divorce from her husband Jordan Bratman.

"It's really a time for me to look forward to the next chapter in my life," Aguilera added. "I couldn't think of a better way to bring in the New Year [than with a party]."

The event was also about good old-fashioned fun, and featured a Tarot card reader, a photo booth, three bars, a dance floor and deejay and a sushi bar. After midnight, mini egg McMuffins were served as the first breakfast of 2011.

As for hitting the big 3-0, Aguilera says she has no worries on growing older.

"Everything is exciting right now," she says. "I'm an actress and I'm a single mom. I'm entering my thirties. I'm looking at this as an exciting new chapter in my life."

If the eve of the New Year is anything to go by, she's looking at a good year ahead, according to one guest. "At midnight, she got up on stage and thanked everyone for coming. She told everyone how excited she was about the new year, and how normally New Year's Eve parties are usually a disappointment, but this year she wanted all her friends to have a really fun night. And it was! It was a great party." 

Credit: People

Christina Aguilera's Is Not Engaged To New Man

Christina Aguilera's new boyfriend put a ring on it, but don't get the wrong idea.

Matt Rutler "gave [a ring] to her for her birthday," a source tells PEOPLE. "It's not an engagement ring and they're not engaged. It was a surprise gift from him."

Although the lovebirds aren't necessarily saying "I do" anytime soon, they are getting more serious. Rutler's mom has had the honor of meeting Aguilera. And Rutler was by Aguilera's side at her New Year's Eve bash, which was attended by her own mother, brother and sister.

Aguilera recently introduced Rutler to her son Max when she brought him to the Peterson Automotive Museum.

"Christina took Max on the fun outing so he could bond with Matt," a source says. "Max was initially a bit shy, but later warmed up to Matt. It seems very important to Christina that Max got along with Matt."

The source also says Rutler has been spending the majority of his time staying at Aguilera's Beverly Hills home, while the singer's ex, Jordan Bratman, is now living in a rental home nearby.

Credit: People