Yes, this dream is very plausible, given the immense popularity of this electrifying artist who grew up in Barranquilla, on the northwest coast of Colombia, a place bathed by the Caribbean Sea (where Shakira has her monument -pictured below-).
Even today, many years later, while living in Spain, Shakira must still love the beach and dance with the waves of the ocean.
We read, or we sometimes hear, that in an individual's life, everything is decided before the age of five. This is true in the case of Shakira : « I had no doubt in my mind. I had visions of what was gonna happen to me since a very early age ».
Yet, in a disadvantaged country, undermined by a long armed conflict; on a continent that produced virtually no international stars, what were the chances of success of little Shakira ? Null...or pretty much nil... That's how much the little prodigy has merit to have achieved this incredible feat of strength !
It was at the age of four, in 1981, that Shakira had her great "revelation". His father took her to a restaurant serving Middle Eastern cuisine. There, it plays doumbek, a drum typical of traditional oriental music that accompanies the famous belly dances of women from Arab countries.
Hearing this music, little Shakira spontaneously starts dancing on the restaurant table. It's already decided : she wants to be a performer and put on a show !
It must be believed that this ardent desire, this fierce will, were very strong, because to realize her dream, Shakira will have to overcome many obstacles that seem insurmountable in the situation where she was.
First, it has been mentioned, its environment does not favour its ambitions. Also, at this age, she's shy.
At school, she likes to sing but she is rejected from the choir because it is said that her high-rise tone of voice rings "like a goat" !
Hyperactive and quite dissipated, she is regularly expelled form her class. It's funny how she'll get her revenge later, using that extra energy to electrify the crowds, on the biggest music stages around the world !
During these school years, her passion for dance, music and songs is growing and growing. She already has this strength of character and this personality trait that will always correspond to her : she is such a hard worker and a fierce perfectionist !"
Between the ages of ten and thirteen, Shakira is already known as "the belly dancer girl" at her school. She gradually became known in her region by participating (and winning !) in competitions or performing at certain events.
Monica Ariza, a producer of a local theatre, finally noticed her. Convinced of the extraordinary talents of her young protégé, she managed to get her auditions at Sony Colombia. Unfortunately, the director of the famed record company is not so impressed with the reenage singer. He even states that it is "a lost cause".
This is not the opinion of another Sony executive, Ciro Vargas, who will eventually convince the record company's management to sign a contract for three albums to Shakira. It's quite a feat ! Imagine ! She's barely thirteen !
Her first two albums were not commercially successful. But she's not discouraged. She is learning English. She's working hard. She continues to forge her style and perfect it. It is inspired by the music of several cultures : South American, Andean, Indian, Arab, African, United States.
When success finally arrives, with her third album (Pies Desclazos - Barefoot), Shakira realizes her other great childhood dream : to make a lot of money to help educate the poor children of her country.
At only 18 years old, she created a Foundation, named after her first successful album, to carry out this project so dear to her heart.
When she was a child, her father once took her to a park near her home. Shakira then sees the misery of the children who frequent the place. She doesn't know them. They're poorly dressed and they have nothing to do. They don't go to school like her because their parents are too poor to pay for their schooling.
This sad show touches Shakira right to the heart. She feels a strong sense of injustice in the face of this social inequality. She will soon realize that, without education, these children have no chance of success in life.
Hence, the need to create her Foundation that continues to grow now, thanks mainly to her personal fortune ($ 350 millions today). This charity helps many children around the world.
If to become the one that the New York Times calls the "Titan of Latin Pop", Shakira had to work very hard and face many trials, none of them being harder than the one that affected her at the end of 2017. After suffering from a haemorrhage in her vocal cords, she loses her voice.
Overwhelmed, she fears she will never be able to sing again. It sinks into a deep depression. Her voice, she says, is her identity.
Frightened, she cannot bring herself to accept the operation that doctors recommend to her. She's trying everything to heal : hypnosis, meditation, even going to Lourdes to get holy water.
When she finally recovers her voice, this Catholic by birth believes in divine intervention, a kind of miracle.
This experience makes her appreciate her job even more and she is convinced that this ordeal has made her a better singer. Once finally healed, when she resumes her Eldorado Tour, she is amazed. She remembers : « Every night on stage was a gift ».
This year, COVID-19 forced her to take another break. She took the opportunity to take more care of her family, made of professionnal soccer player Gérard Piqué, who is the father of her two sons : Milan, seven, and Sasha, five.
Like everyone who becomes a parent, her priorities have changed. She does not want to neglect her career but, thinking of her family, she declares : « There are things that are more important than personal and professionnal success ».
She adds : « Being a mother is the hardest job I've ever done. I'm never sure I'm doing it right. I'm always second-guessing myself. I love being a mother but it's challenging to keep the balance -to not let motherhood prevent you from reading a good book, going out with your boyfriend-husband, having an adult conversation ».
80 millions albums sold later, Shakira continues to collect and earn a multitude of honors, trophies, awards, number one hits on the world charts, record popularity and album sales. Monuments or statues are even erected in her honour.
Her influence is immense. Big names in music like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber say there're inspired by her. Not to mention a large number of Latin artists who say they are proud to follow in her footsteps.
When Shakira is asked to explain her phenomenal success, she replies : « I think it's my energy and love of life that has been the real key to my fame and success » (...) « I love to shake my hips, my hair and my boobs. It's all about having fun and sharing your spirit with other people » (...) « I have never had one moment of stage fright and performing has always been a huge thrill and source of enjoyment for me. It's part of my personality ».
Singing in two widely used languages, English and Spanish, certainly does not harm to understand the vast extent of her audience. Just like the multi-cultiralism that characterizes her works and her style : « I'm a fusion. That's my persona. I'm a fusion between black and white, between pop and rock, between cultures -between my Lebanese father and my mother's Spanish blood, the Colombian folklore and Arab dance I love, and American music ».
Shakira has this great gift of feeling music all over her body : « I listen to music through my body. Even when I'm mixing songs in the recording studio, if I don't move, I know that there's something wrong. I say "Do you see them moving ? Do you see my hips moving ? It's not working". Hips don't lie », she adds, referring to the title of one of her greatest hits.
Her inspiration often comes to her in waves. Powerful waves, sudden creative rages during which she must quickly put on paper the words and musical notes of her compositions. Lyrics and notes that she will sing and then play on guitar and percussion.
Despite her great love for her craft and the stage, she will not encourage her children to imitate her : « I don't think I would want my children to enter into my profession. There's a lot of stress and so much competition. There are easier things you can do with your life ».
The beauty of her songs and performance on stage is a reflection of her own body beauty. When asked about her beauty secrets, Shakira, who usually appears on stage naturally, barefoot, almost not wearing make-up, says simply : « Less is more, staying hydrated, rested, and lots of vitamin C » (...) « Beauty comes from self confidence, being positive, feeling energy and loving and caring for oneself ».
And how does she explain the flexibility of her body when she performs her famous belly dances, which have become one of her trademark ? Few people know that : « I'm double-jointed. I can put my legs over my head, which freaks people out » !
When praised for her generosity and charitable work, she declares : « It doesn't matter if you are a musician, a business leader, a president or a student. We all have a responsability to give back » (...) « Music has given a voice to many generations, and I think we, as artists, can be a part of creating a better world ».
Here are some Shakira looks. Of course on her super hit « Hips don't lie »
