Key Facts
- Shakira split with Gerard Piqué in 2022 and has since focused on her music career.
- Her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour set a Guinness World Record for highest-grossing tour by a Latin/Hispanic artist.
- She released her second official FIFA World Cup anthem, 'Dai Dai', featuring Burna Boy.
- Shakira will perform at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony and has a 12-stadium residency in Madrid.
- She revealed she has no time for a social life or new relationship, describing herself as a 'busy bee'.
- Her children, Milan and Sasha, were born because of her 2010 World Cup song 'Waka Waka'.
Shakira's Busy Post-Split Life
Superstar Shakira has no room for romance in her life - her pop career is simply firing on all cylinders. The Colombian star split with husband Gerard Piqué in 2022, and she has since thrown herself wholeheartedly into her music. Her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour claimed the Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing tour by a Latin/Hispanic artist in history - a remarkable achievement that speaks for itself. With such a packed schedule, a new relationship is the last thing on her mind.
As Shakira put it, "Single women, have a lot of fun yeah, it's true, but not so much for me right now, because I'm just a busy bee." These words came during an interview with People magazine, where she detailed her whirlwind of professional obligations. The singer is currently preparing for the second U.S. leg of her tour, a performance at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, and her upcoming European residency - a series of 12 stadium shows in Madrid. Balancing all this with being a mother to her two sons, Milan and Sasha, leaves little time for anything else.
"I'm preparing for my second run in the U.S. I'm preparing for my performance at the World Cup, I'm also preparing for my European residency - 12 stadiums in Madrid," she said in the interview. "Also my kids' everyday life, so, yeah, right now, I don't think that there's a lot of fun for me, but I'm just enjoying this moment in time and enjoying my career.... That's why I don't have any social life!"
A Historic Tour and New Music
Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour, which translates to 'Women No Longer Cry', has been a global phenomenon. The tour name itself is a powerful statement about empowerment and moving forward after heartbreak - themes that resonate deeply with her personal journey following the end of her long-term relationship with Piqué. The tour broke records, earning a Guinness World Record and cementing her status as one of the most successful Latin artists of all time. The setlist features hits from her three-decade career, including classics like 'Hips Don't Lie', 'Whenever, Wherever', and songs from her 2024 album 'Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53' and 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran'. Critics have praised the show for its high-energy choreography, stunning visuals, and emotional depth.
Beyond the tour, Shakira recently released 'Dai Dai', her second official FIFA World Cup anthem. The song, featuring Nigerian Afrobeat star Burna Boy, is an uplifting track designed to inspire. Shakira described it as "a message for every child who's been told that their dream is too big" and a reminder that every champion they look up to "started out as a kid, who perhaps went through hardship and struggles." She emphasized the importance of having someone who believes in you - something she believes society needs to do more of.
The collaboration with Burna Boy was a dream come true for Shakira. She called having him on the track "the cherry on top," noting that she had always wanted to work with him. The song blends her signature Latin pop sound with Afrobeat rhythms, creating an anthem that is both global and deeply personal. 'Dai Dai' is not your typical soccer anthem, according to Shakira. She explained that the essential ingredients for a perfect World Cup song are a great beat and "energy of a strong message." The song's title and lyrics are a call to action, urging listeners to push forward with determination.
The Football Connection: From Waka Waka to Motherhood
Shakira's relationship with football goes back nearly two decades. She first performed at the FIFA World Cup in 2006 with 'Hips Don't Lie', and then returned in 2010 to deliver the official song 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)', which became one of the most popular World Cup anthems in history. It was during the 2010 tournament in South Africa that she met Gerard Piqué, then a rising star for the Spanish national team. The two began a relationship that would last over a decade and produce two children.
Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Shakira said, "That's why I called my kids 'the Waka Waka kids' because they were born because of that song. That song took me to the World Cup and the World Cup had an important impact in my life. And they were born - the best thing that has happened to me." She also touched on her pregnancy during the 2014 World Cup, where fans instantly knew she was expecting her first child, Milan. She was only about two months pregnant at the time, yet the excitement was palpable.
Now, years after her split from Piqué, Shakira continues to embrace the global football community. Her American tour dates are strategically aligned with numerous World Cup fixtures. She explained that she will be performing in the same cities where most of the games are happening, allowing her to tap into what she calls the "footballistic energy" and bring it to her concerts. "I'm preparing for my performance at the World Cup," she noted, and she will take the stage at the opening ceremony next week.
Career Highlights and Empowerment
Shakira's career is a testament to her versatility and resilience. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, she rose to fame in the 1990s with albums like 'Pies Descalzos' and 'Dónde Están los Ladrones?'. Her crossover into the English-language market came with the 2001 album 'Laundry Service', which featured the smash hit 'Whenever, Wherever'. Since then, she has sold over 80 million records worldwide, won multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, and become a global icon. Her philanthropic work through the Barefoot Foundation, which focuses on early childhood education in Colombia, further underscores her commitment to making a difference.
In recent years, Shakira has channeled her personal experiences into her art. Her song 'Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53' with Argentine producer Bizarrap was a direct response to her breakup with Piqué, with lyrics that addressed the pain and betrayal. The track became a viral sensation, breaking records and earning critical acclaim. It was a raw, unapologetic statement that resonated with millions of fans around the world. Following that, her album 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran' expanded on themes of healing, independence, and female empowerment. The tour of the same name has been a celebration of that journey.
The 2026 World Cup marks a new chapter for Shakira, as she performs at a time when football is more global than ever. The tournament will be hosted across multiple cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Shakira's connection to the sport is deeply personal, and her music has become synonymous with the spirit of the World Cup. Whether she is grooving on stage or standing in the stadium, she embodies the energy of millions of fans united by the beautiful game.
Looking Ahead
With no time for a social life or new romance, Shakira is focused entirely on her work and her children. She acknowledges that being a single working mother is demanding, but she finds joy in her career and in watching her sons grow. The "busy bee" life may leave little room for fun, but as she put it, she is simply enjoying this moment in time and making the most of her career. Her upcoming European residency in Madrid, a city where she once lived with Piqué, is particularly significant - it represents a homecoming of sorts, but on her own terms.
Shakira's legacy as a performer and an artist continues to expand. Her ability to reinvent herself, to turn personal pain into powerful art, and to connect with fans across generations and cultures is unmatched. As she prepares to light up the World Cup stage once again, the world will be watching - and she will be ready to give it her all.
Source:MSN News
