Shakira
Birthday:
2 February 1977, Barranquilla, Colombia
Birth Name:
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
Height:
157 cm
Grammy-winning Latina pop singer Shakira was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 2, 1977. Her father is a Lebanese American immigrant and her mother a native of Colombia of Italian and Spanish descent. Shakira began her musical career at age 12 and quickly captured fans throughout Latin America. She won the 2001 Best Latin pop Grammy for he...
Show more »
Grammy-winning Latina pop singer Shakira was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 2, 1977. Her father is a Lebanese American immigrant and her mother a native of Colombia of Italian and Spanish descent. Shakira began her musical career at age 12 and quickly captured fans throughout Latin America. She won the 2001 Best Latin pop Grammy for her "MTV Unplugged" album. Show less «
The worst mistake of a woman is to go to the kitchen, because then she never gets out of there.
The worst mistake of a woman is to go to the kitchen, because then she never gets out of there.
I admire a person who, for the love of art, is able to take off their clothes in front of a camera. But I'm not capable, I'm too cowardly fo...Show more »
I admire a person who, for the love of art, is able to take off their clothes in front of a camera. But I'm not capable, I'm too cowardly for that. Show less «
It's not easy to work with me, I recognize that. It's not easy if those people aren't perfectionistic as as I am.
It's not easy to work with me, I recognize that. It's not easy if those people aren't perfectionistic as as I am.
The worst frustration for a singer is choosing a career in making music and then not being able to make music because you're always giving i...Show more »
The worst frustration for a singer is choosing a career in making music and then not being able to make music because you're always giving interviews. Show less «
My brain, I believe, is the most beautiful part of my body.
My brain, I believe, is the most beautiful part of my body.
Videos come definitely after the music has been created, but I have always felt, and especially today, that videos are vital in the album pr...Show more »
Videos come definitely after the music has been created, but I have always felt, and especially today, that videos are vital in the album process. I think that we live in a very visual era and if you make a mistake with a video, those images will accompany the song forever. There is no way to divorce the image from the music once the video has been filmed and exposed. Show less «
I remember the first time I saw the video "Smells Like Teen Spirit". I will never forget that day. I just wanted to see Kurt Cobain's face. ...Show more »
I remember the first time I saw the video "Smells Like Teen Spirit". I will never forget that day. I just wanted to see Kurt Cobain's face. I had a feeling he was very cute. But I couldn't see his face. When I finally did see him, he was even cuter than I imagined! Show less «
People think I like to expose my body. But I don't. It's just because the dance moves require it.
People think I like to expose my body. But I don't. It's just because the dance moves require it.
You can laugh, but since I was a child, I knew that I was going to be a well-known singer-songwriter; that was something I had no doubts abo...Show more »
You can laugh, but since I was a child, I knew that I was going to be a well-known singer-songwriter; that was something I had no doubts about. It was almost like a prophecy. Show less «
I love reading about history. Sometimes, I feel I was born in the wrong era. There was more creativity in the air when people were still dis...Show more »
I love reading about history. Sometimes, I feel I was born in the wrong era. There was more creativity in the air when people were still discovering new worlds. Show less «
Writing in English was a major challenge. I didn't want other songwriters to write for me. I wanted to preserve the spirit of my songs in Sp...Show more »
Writing in English was a major challenge. I didn't want other songwriters to write for me. I wanted to preserve the spirit of my songs in Spanish. I am the same Shakira in English as I am in Spanish. Show less «
I expect my beloved to be kind, generous, I expect him not to lie so I can look him straight in the eyes, and I expect him to fall in love w...Show more »
I expect my beloved to be kind, generous, I expect him not to lie so I can look him straight in the eyes, and I expect him to fall in love with me 10 times a day. Show less «
I think my dad is the only Arabic descendent who is an unsuccessful businessman.
I think my dad is the only Arabic descendent who is an unsuccessful businessman.
I'm lucky to have family around me. Otherwise, I'll be taking the risk of falling in love with myself. But there are always people close to ...Show more »
I'm lucky to have family around me. Otherwise, I'll be taking the risk of falling in love with myself. But there are always people close to me who I trust, who will scold me and pull my ears if I need it. Fame isolates people from reality. That happens to many artists, and I don't want it to happen to me. Show less «
I have learned that I am an adult already. And to grow with something is sometimes painful. And its great; I don't say it's a bad thing - bu...Show more »
I have learned that I am an adult already. And to grow with something is sometimes painful. And its great; I don't say it's a bad thing - but many things change, and many more responsibilities come, and you have more closure in your life, and more possibilities. It's just that it's not as pink as before, but its more interesting. Show less «
The cobra is deadly but mongoose can overcome it. We all have possibillity to defeat prejudiced and resentment in our lives. Fear is the thi...Show more »
The cobra is deadly but mongoose can overcome it. We all have possibillity to defeat prejudiced and resentment in our lives. Fear is the thing that makes us attack, that makes us strike. We must overcome it. We must. Show less «
I'm a believer. I try to be near God, because when I feel that there's a certain distance, everything begins to look like a blur. It makes t...Show more »
I'm a believer. I try to be near God, because when I feel that there's a certain distance, everything begins to look like a blur. It makes the road somewhat smoother. When I feel that I'm without God, I have to make an effort to drag my feet to keep on going. Show less «
I think I look like a chipmunk.
I think I look like a chipmunk.
The leaders are lacking love, and love is lacking leaders.
The leaders are lacking love, and love is lacking leaders.
I cannot expect that I will be successful my whole life. We live so caught up in the moment, it's important to get some perspective. Ultimat...Show more »
I cannot expect that I will be successful my whole life. We live so caught up in the moment, it's important to get some perspective. Ultimately, I know I've been very lucky. Show less «
When I perform, I find myself exorcised of everything that keeps me trapped in my everyday life.
When I perform, I find myself exorcised of everything that keeps me trapped in my everyday life.
A bed is still the first thing I look for when I have 20 free minutes. I still read a book if I have a free hour, and go to a movie if I hav...Show more »
A bed is still the first thing I look for when I have 20 free minutes. I still read a book if I have a free hour, and go to a movie if I have four. Show less «
I never went through an adolescence when kids become rebels and do drugs. I was always the good girl.
I never went through an adolescence when kids become rebels and do drugs. I was always the good girl.
I had my first boyfriend when I was 12, and my parents knew about it. My dad was very jealous. I had an older sister in medical school, and ...Show more »
I had my first boyfriend when I was 12, and my parents knew about it. My dad was very jealous. I had an older sister in medical school, and he would not let her wear tight jeans. Show less «
Earlier I tried not to show my stomach, because I thought it wasn't perfect and I would have seemed fat. I would have died! But that does no...Show more »
Earlier I tried not to show my stomach, because I thought it wasn't perfect and I would have seemed fat. I would have died! But that does not bother me anymore. Like my dad says there is nothing more beautiful than some meat on the bones. Show less «
I am a pop star, but I also have an opinion. I grew up in a country that has existed under the whip of violence for 40 years, so how can I n...Show more »
I am a pop star, but I also have an opinion. I grew up in a country that has existed under the whip of violence for 40 years, so how can I not? You know in my country, a 5-year-old knows not only of Disney and Mickey Mouse but of guerrillas and paramilitaries. You grow up with that kind of awareness, of what the world is really like. To be political in my country doesn't mean you want to run for presidency, to be political simply means to have an opinion Show less «
Of course, I am trying to make my accent not bother anyone, but I am not going to drive myself crazy trying to pretend I am an American girl...Show more »
Of course, I am trying to make my accent not bother anyone, but I am not going to drive myself crazy trying to pretend I am an American girl when I am from Colombia. Show less «
I've gone through everything with the paparazzi, where they are even hanging from the trees trying to get a picture. But I have a wonderful ...Show more »
I've gone through everything with the paparazzi, where they are even hanging from the trees trying to get a picture. But I have a wonderful relationship with the press. I don't feel mistreated. There is great communication between me and the media, and that makes me feel so lucky because I see how an artist can suffer. But I also live a life a journalist would find very boring. I've been dating the same guy for six years. I'm not a party animal, and you never see me shopping because I hate shopping. Show less «
Colombia is a country of victims, and not of murderers.
Colombia is a country of victims, and not of murderers.
I do feel that there is a difference between - especially the visual part - what I used to do in Latin America and what I do now. This album...Show more »
I do feel that there is a difference between - especially the visual part - what I used to do in Latin America and what I do now. This album (Laundry Service) came out and all of a sudden I saw myself surrounded by 20 stylists, makeup artists, hairdressers, directors, assistant to the director, assistant to the assistant to the director. I try to be in control because some of your essence kind of gets a little hurt. That's why it's so important for me to do these live shows. On the stage, there's no tricks, there's no way to fool anybody, so you either like what you see or you hate it, that's it. It's just the bare truth. Show less «
My belly dancing represents me - it's a trademark. I've tried to incorporate it in original ways in modern songs. But sometimes, it bugs me ...Show more »
My belly dancing represents me - it's a trademark. I've tried to incorporate it in original ways in modern songs. But sometimes, it bugs me a bit that people resort to (saying) that I'm shaking my ass with a huge sexual charge, instead of recognizing it as a move that, yeah, it's loaded with sensuality, but it's also part of an artistic expression. Show less «
I certainly don't want to identify with Cinderella, she had a dream that lasted only until midnight. I want it to last until at least 3 a.m.
I certainly don't want to identify with Cinderella, she had a dream that lasted only until midnight. I want it to last until at least 3 a.m.
The industry is a bit more visual oriented (more) towards something to the eyes than something to the ears, That's a bit of a contradiction....Show more »
The industry is a bit more visual oriented (more) towards something to the eyes than something to the ears, That's a bit of a contradiction. We can't forget that, at the end of the day, what really matters here is music. I must confess that sometimes I have been a victim of that. Show less «
I guess there's many ways to become an enlightened human being, but I guess the shortest path is always through love. And the shortest path ...Show more »
I guess there's many ways to become an enlightened human being, but I guess the shortest path is always through love. And the shortest path to becoming a better person is always through loving someone. If you don't know how to treat the ones that you love then how are you going to treat those that you don't know, or those who are your enemies? Show less «
I think in every artist's life, when, right after a performance, we get to feel a certain loneliness and solitude. After receiving so much a...Show more »
I think in every artist's life, when, right after a performance, we get to feel a certain loneliness and solitude. After receiving so much attention and love from your fans, suddenly everything stops. Show less «
Nationalism is cured by traveling
Nationalism is cured by traveling
I want to learn how to live in the present with my eyes open. Because, you know, we always go through the present blindfolded with our heart...Show more »
I want to learn how to live in the present with my eyes open. Because, you know, we always go through the present blindfolded with our hearts in the past and our minds in the future. And that way we never enjoy the here and now. Show less «
When you fall in love, you prioritize everything. It's like cleaning up and putting things in place.
When you fall in love, you prioritize everything. It's like cleaning up and putting things in place.
I always believed that women have rights and that there are some women that are intelligent enough to claim those rights. There are some oth...Show more »
I always believed that women have rights and that there are some women that are intelligent enough to claim those rights. There are some others that are stupid enough not to. It is as cut-and dried as that. It doesn't matter if you are a woman or not; in this life, to earn your place you have to fight for it. Show less «
My celebrity arrived gradually, and this is why I am not too much shocked or am not traumatised. In spite of that, I am always surprised whe...Show more »
My celebrity arrived gradually, and this is why I am not too much shocked or am not traumatised. In spite of that, I am always surprised when I see myself on television. Show less «
For several years, I worried a lot about protecting an image, but today, I have understood that the image cannot be preconceived.
For several years, I worried a lot about protecting an image, but today, I have understood that the image cannot be preconceived.
In any woman's life, there's a moment when we stand in front of a mirror and we're not happy. It might be when we're 32 and we think about w...Show more »
In any woman's life, there's a moment when we stand in front of a mirror and we're not happy. It might be when we're 32 and we think about what it will be like being 36, or when we're 36 we might think of being younger. We're never content with the way we are and the way we look. But if you start loving yourself the way you are, and accepting yourself the way you are, your outlook totally changes. Show less «
I was born close to the ocean and live close to it. I spent all my Sundays on the ocean, and to me it will always be a magical place. I can ...Show more »
I was born close to the ocean and live close to it. I spent all my Sundays on the ocean, and to me it will always be a magical place. I can always find different memories in my head, but special moments were on the ocean or staring at the sea - falling in love, playing, or just talking to myself. It kind of seduces you. But lately I've been fearing it a little bit because of the sharks, the attacks, you know? But then again, they were there first. Show less «
In some moment, I came to fall into the claws of moralism. Something very typical for a Latin-American woman, who has lived in a culture of ...Show more »
In some moment, I came to fall into the claws of moralism. Something very typical for a Latin-American woman, who has lived in a culture of repression. I thought I had all the answers, I was full of hasty judgments. Today, I feel more liberated and open. I'm more tolerant. I respect ideas different to mine. Moralism is a disease. It shouldn't be exactly related to religion, - but it is true that my view of religion has also changed lately. Show less «
[on death] I always tried not to touch that subject, because it would really give me existential anxiety. Death is not only related to the p...Show more »
[on death] I always tried not to touch that subject, because it would really give me existential anxiety. Death is not only related to the physical death of the body, it's also related to the death of relationships or feelings. Every day, I feel a little bit older, a little less alive, more alive with the possibility of being less alive, closer to death. Show less «
One of the ways I grew up was through the loss of people close to me. The person who was my closest friend and who managed me for five years...Show more »
One of the ways I grew up was through the loss of people close to me. The person who was my closest friend and who managed me for five years, Patricia Tellez, died suddenly from a blood clot. The other friend, a friend from Barranquilla, died from cancer and she was only 33. She left three children. Show less «
Every single project, it doesn't matter how big it is or how small it is, we take it with the same interest and the same enthusiasm, and we ...Show more »
Every single project, it doesn't matter how big it is or how small it is, we take it with the same interest and the same enthusiasm, and we make the same effort. I feel the exact thing before I sing on Saturday Night Live (1975) as when I sang on a very small television show in Colombia. Before the first singing contest I ever participated in, I felt the same nervousness I feel now. So part of me gets bigger and keeps evolving, but at the end of the day, you end up feeling the same things. Show less «
Technology scares me. We live surrounded by a battalion of sounds, engaged in ostentatious displays of new recording techniques. But, to me,...Show more »
Technology scares me. We live surrounded by a battalion of sounds, engaged in ostentatious displays of new recording techniques. But, to me, the fundamental essence of a song lies in the melody and the lyrics. Show less «
I'm not a model for anyone and the truth is, I never even tried a hit of pot. I'm not saying that I've never ever felt curious, but I feel t...Show more »
I'm not a model for anyone and the truth is, I never even tried a hit of pot. I'm not saying that I've never ever felt curious, but I feel that if I were doped up I would not even be able to smell, or eat, or breathe, or sing. And I don't want to start using crutches when I know that I can walk. Drug addiction is a loss of freedom. Show less «
I prefer an ugly truth to a pretty lie. If someone is telling me the truth that is when I will give my heart.
I prefer an ugly truth to a pretty lie. If someone is telling me the truth that is when I will give my heart.
I don't like the competition part of soccer. It's a war in short pants. I prefer art.
I don't like the competition part of soccer. It's a war in short pants. I prefer art.
I couldn't strip naked. Maybe when I'm 40, I will change my mind. Around 10 years ago, I couldn't imagine putting on a skin-tight body suit ...Show more »
I couldn't strip naked. Maybe when I'm 40, I will change my mind. Around 10 years ago, I couldn't imagine putting on a skin-tight body suit and high heels and dancing in a golden cage, hanging upside down from the bars. Today, I'm saying I'll never show myself naked. Our opinions change all the time. Show less «
I love chocolate. I'm addicted to it. Do you know when I realized that? Shortly before we started shooting the video for "She Wolf". I neede...Show more »
I love chocolate. I'm addicted to it. Do you know when I realized that? Shortly before we started shooting the video for "She Wolf". I needed a whole month to get back into shape. I danced, worked out and had to stick to a strict diet - only fish, spinach and a specially-prepared dessert with tofu. For the first time in my life, I was dreaming of chocolate and cake and always woke up with tears in my eyes. Show less «
I think, if you can prove the existence of God, it can only be proven through love. I even had lost my faith for a while... I started to thi...Show more »
I think, if you can prove the existence of God, it can only be proven through love. I even had lost my faith for a while... I started to think that there was no God. And suddenly, I meet Gerard [Piqué] and the sun comes out. Show less «
I don't obsess on my flaws because I see my body as a whole. Besides, I think men appreciate confidence more than perfection.
I don't obsess on my flaws because I see my body as a whole. Besides, I think men appreciate confidence more than perfection.
[When asked if she told her boyfriend, Gerard Piqué, about the video concept of her song with Rihanna, "Can't Remember to Forget You"] I as...Show more »
[When asked if she told her boyfriend, Gerard Piqué, about the video concept of her song with Rihanna, "Can't Remember to Forget You"] I asked him if he agreed with everything and he agreed. I wanted to make sure because he's super-jealous. He's territorial. He wants to know everything is under control. Show less «
I admire Madonna because she always did whatever she felt like doing. She went through some controversial periods when people rejected her, ...Show more »
I admire Madonna because she always did whatever she felt like doing. She went through some controversial periods when people rejected her, but she kept on reinventing herself. Show less «
[on break-up with Antonio] It's very difficult to think that you're with someone that you know, and all of a sudden you don't know them: it ...Show more »
[on break-up with Antonio] It's very difficult to think that you're with someone that you know, and all of a sudden you don't know them: it turns out that they betray you. It's painful, but it's best to turn the page. Show less «
[on being the only girl on The Voice] Dealing with boys at work and being the only girl can be challenging. I have my insecurities, but I've...Show more »
[on being the only girl on The Voice] Dealing with boys at work and being the only girl can be challenging. I have my insecurities, but I've learned I have to be a good sport. I have to be able to take certain jokes and not take them personally. There are jokes made almost every second of the day. I had to develop a tough hide. You know, the music industry is dominated by guys. I work with men 98 percent of the time-producers, arrangers, musicians, engineers. Show less «
Shakira's Photos
Gazelle
Herself, Herself - Guest Performer
Herself - Guest Performer
