In a significant revelation, the renowned singer Shakira is set to co-headline the inaugural halftime show at the World Cup Final, scheduled for 19 July. This historic event will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, marking a first for the prestigious sports tournament.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/shakira-sons-zootopia-2-premiere-060226-a6b9c1d3375a4ce5921036e28f9cdc57.jpg)
In the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine, the multi-award-winning artist discusses how personal challenges have reshaped her perspective on life and creativity. Reflecting on her separation from former football star Gerard Piqué in June 2022, Shakira describes the emotional turmoil as a catalyst that reignited her passion for music. As a mother to two sons, Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11, the responsibilities of parenthood compelled her to keep moving forward, despite life’s hurdles.
“When your world collapses, you have to get up and pay the bills and still prepare breakfast and take your kids to school,” Shakira, now 49, explains. This experience has steered her approach as a mother and artist alike: “Motherhood makes you strong. The moment I became a mother, I saw life through a different perspective,” she adds.
During this challenging period of her life, Shakira found solace in her role as a parent. She acknowledges that while her children bring her immense joy, they have also served as teachers in their own right. “They are not only the best thing that happened to me, but I’ve learned so much from them every day,” she states.
As she continues to focus on her family, the singer is adamant that her priorities lie there for the time being. “Right now, I’m just thinking of raising my kids. I don’t see that for now,” she responds when asked about her romantic future. “Maybe when they’re older.”
Shakira’s collaboration with music producer Bizarrap has provided her an outlet to process her feelings post-split. Their collaboration, “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” drew inspiration from the fallout of her relationship with Piqué and has resonated widely across audiences. The track became her first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in over a decade, marking a thrilling return to the charts.
“The song was pure catharsis,” she remarks. “I really needed to write about what I was going through and not have any censor.” This sentiment highlights the therapeutic nature of her artistry, allowing her to connect with both herself and her audience. Upon its release, the single achieved the remarkable feat of reaching No. 1 on Spotify on the very same day, further solidifying Shakira’s place in contemporary music.
In addition to this successful single, Shakira’s album, *Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran*, features multiple hits and has been immensely well-received. Her ongoing tour, which began last year, is now the highest-grossing Hispanic tour in history, raking in an astounding $421.6 million. The final leg of the tour will commence in the United States on 13 June, showcasing her resilience and artistic vitality.
Shakira expresses immense gratitude towards her fans, stating, “My fans have been there for me through thick and thin. They’ve been family to me; that keeps me going.” Through this support, she continues to navigate her personal and professional life, creating meaningful connections with her audience.
As the World Cup Final approaches, Shakira is excited about her upcoming performance alongside Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy, for which they have recorded the official anthem “Dai Dai.” The lyrics to this collaboration resonate deeply with her personal journey, emphasising resilience in the face of adversity.
Reflecting on the lessons learned over the past year, Shakira shares, “I always thought that I was more fragile or weaker than what life proved me to be.” Her journey continues to inspire millions around the world, demonstrating the strength derived from both heartbreak and triumph.
For those interested in learning more about Shakira and her remarkable journey, the latest issue of PEOPLE is set to hit newsstands this Friday.