Persistence and gratitude… Shakira talks about music, family and friendship

 

When it comes to interviews, there are some celebrities who are good at hiding their emotions. They have ready-made, carefully thought-out answers, and brief, calculated phrases that do not reveal much about what is going on inside them. But Shakira is not that type.

After she passed a difficult stage full of real challenges, it seemed clear that she wanted to talk, frankly, about the harsh and purifying journey that led her to where she is today.

She radiates an unmistakable energy, the energy of a woman who has weathered storms, reclaimed her own story, and stands on the cusp of an exciting new chapter in her life.

The 47-year-old singer does not hesitate to express her feelings, especially when talking about her new album: (Women Don’t Cry Anymore), which caused a sensation when it was released in March. Regarding this, Shakira says: “I was trying to be born again…or die during the operation.” Each of the sixteen songs describes a specific moment when I was dealing with or trying to understand strong emotions. “I was in a state of fight or flight the whole time.”

Now that her rebirth is complete, Shakira’s mission is to empower others to find their own strength through music, and she especially wants her songs to reach women who have also gone through difficult times. She says: “When my new work comes out, it no longer belongs to me. Rather, it becomes the property of the people who make it part of the music of their daily lives, or celebrate their own victories through it.”

The album, which is Shakira’s first in seven years, took two years to prepare, and comes after her painful and controversial separation in 2022 from the Spanish football player Gerard Pique, her partner for 12 years, and the father of her two children, aged 11 and 9 years.

The album cover shows a picture of Shakira crying tears that turn into diamonds, an image she says symbolizes the raw feelings that accompanied the making of the album, and the strength that resulted from transforming deep feelings into something positive. She adds: “It was like a healing process… I was able to transform the pain and anger that I felt into creativity, productivity, and resilience.”

The topic of flexibility is a recurring theme in Shakira’s speech; It is not that she did not feel strong before, as she is a singer, songwriter, and music producer who has been on the throne of success for decades, and is considered one of the most successful Latin artists in history, but her state of mind, today, reflects the challenges that she had to overcome to reach where she is now.

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A tour of the album’s songs:

In the song (Strong), Shakira confesses her longing for the person who broke her heart, noting that her pride prevents her from communicating with him, but she still thinks about him and his absence hurts her. In the next song (Time Without Seeing You), she also addresses the feeling of missing someone who is no longer in her life, focusing on the emotional void left by the absence of her lover.

As for the song (Inside the Brackets), it deals with the experience of emotional separation and the feeling of coldness from a partner who has lost love over time. While the song (The Last) reflects coming to terms with the end of a relationship, which seemed to continue, with a reminder that life goes on despite pain.

In the song (I Congratulate You), Shakira sings about her partner’s betrayal and accusing him of not being honest in his love. It is her first collaboration with the modern king of reggaeton, Rao Alejandro, where she sings about her emotional sacrifices and postponing her artistic career for his sake, before moving to live with her children in Miami after the separation.

Shakira is immortalized in a statue…and inspires generations:

Last December, Shakira was immortalized in a huge bronze statue in her hometown of Barranquilla, celebrating her musical successes and the Bare Feet Foundation, which provides education to children in need in Colombia. This honor is a powerful feminist symbol that will continue to inspire girls and women for decades to come. Especially since it was accompanied by Shakira’s advice to those who aspire to be like her, to stand up for herself and not accept the word “no” as an answer. She stressed that it will not be easy, but perseverance and determination are the main factors that brought her to where she is today. Regarding romantic relationships, Shakira says: “Do not set your expectations too high. Know your worth, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

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Shakira beauty routine:

Shakira always applies her own makeup, even in photo shoots, and her skin is glowing and healthy. The secret to her skin’s radiance, especially before her concerts and shows, is her skin care routine before makeup, which combines safe modern technology, such as: red light therapy, and traditional techniques such as Gua Sha facial massage, in addition to her commitment to natural and organic care products.

Shakira’s routine is simple yet effective, focusing on skin health, natural radiance, and safety. It relies on three basic pillars:

– Red light therapy: It helps soothe skin, stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, improve skin texture and radiance, and accelerate skin repair after sun exposure or acne.

– Facial massage using the “Gua Sha” method: A traditional Chinese technique using a soft jade or rose quartz tool to stimulate lymph drainage, reduce puffiness, improve circulation, and naturally contour the face.

-Organic and natural care products: Avoid harmful chemicals, enhance hydration and skin barrier protection, and include fragrance-free serums, lightweight moisturizers, and eco-friendly mineral sunscreens.

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