Meet Our HOT Summer Cover Star: SHAKIRA, SHAKIRA!
She's a powerhouse performer, a Latina beauty icon—and a brave, bold woman we can't get enough of.
Some stars are famous in the United States. Some dominate in Latin America, and others rule Europe, Asia, or the Middle East. And then there’s our Shakira. Everywhere in the world that she goes, she belongs, embraced by her cheering, dancing, deliriously happy fans. I’ll never forget being at home in New Jersey, listening to a recording of a Shakira concert in Paris. She was singing a ballad in Spanish (and then switched to French) with lyrics I recognized as a famous merengue…that, it turns out, was actually a French folk song. Her talent is mind-blowing.
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, 37, grew into her superstardom the old-fashioned way, by pounding the pavement and playing her original songs for record executives back home. “You had to raise your hand and hope to be listened to,” she says of this pre-YouTube era. And the world did listen. Today Shakira has sold more than 50 million albums globally, has won a combined 10 Latin and American Grammys, and has contracts with Crest, T-Mobile, and Dannon. And did you know that she’s got the most-liked Facebook page in the world? (At 93.9 million and counting, that’s more followers than Lady Gaga and second only to Facebook itself.) Her tenth album, Shakira, was released earlier this year. Meanwhile, her personal life has also blossomed; she and soccer-player boyfriend Gerard Piqué are the parents of son Milan, one. But all of these achievements aside, it’s Shakira’s humility that keeps her fans entranced. For this she credits her tight-knit family. “They keep my feet planted on the ground, where they belong,” Shakira says.
GLAM BELLEZA LATINA: Your career is at an all-time high, as is your personal life. What is giving you the most joy right now?
SHAKIRA: I suppose it’s knowing that I can share with Milan everything I’ve learned and seen. I don’t have to keep all of that information to myself. I love teaching him something new every day.
We’ve got to ask you—do you think you and Gerard will ever marry?
We already have what’s essential, you know? We have a union, a love for each other, and a baby. I think that those aspects of our relationship are already established, and marriage is not going to change them. But if I’m ever going to get married, he’s the one.
You’re known—and adored!—in every corner of the world. If you had to guess, why do you think that is?
I feel like I have roots in many places. I’m Colombian by birth, half Lebanese on my father’s side, and I have Catalan and Italian roots on my mother’s side. I feel a strong connection to Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, and well…with those three, you’ve already got a big part of the world covered!
But you’re aware of how much your Latin fans particularly adore you, right?
My Latin fans feel like friends whom, no matter how long ago you saw them, you can pick up right where you left off, because they know you down to the core. When I’m with them, I feel like I’m home.
You record most of your songs in both Spanish and English. Why is that important to you?
Music is a universal language that breaks down borders and unites people. I don’t believe in being pigeonholed into certain markets or even certain languages. I’ve had people react to some of my Spanish songs in non-Spanish-speaking countries as fervently as in Latin America or Spain. The same goes for English. That’s another reason that I feel so lucky to do what I do.
You have such diverse musical tastes; you’ve said that both rock and country music are personal favorites. What Latin music do you listen to?
Joe Arroyo, Carlos Vives, Oscar D’León, and Gustavo Cerati—those are the sounds of my childhood. They carry such memories of amazing times, of dancing, of that distinctly Caribbean sound. And rock bands like Soda Stereo paved the way for artists like me who didn’t quite fit the mold of what most Latin stars were doing at the time.
We remember when you were first introduced to the American market, in 2000. You were already a huge star in Latin America, yet you didn’t speak much English. Looking back at that time, what would you say to that girl who was starting out in a new country?
People in this industry want to tell you what’s best for you. And it’s important to ask for advice, but you have to follow your instincts. Don’t ever underestimate your power to shape your future—you are more powerful than you think.
So what part of your power—and your success—are you most proud of? Your number-one hits and sold-out shows? Your foundation, Fundación Pies Descalzos? Your appointment to President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics?
Well, this is like choosing between children, but I am very proud of how far my foundation has come. I will be happy if my music leaves a cultural legacy, but I will be truly satisfied if my work with children and education touches lives and helps change the way society views early education.
Then tell us more about the foundation. You’ve already built an impressive number of schools—six and counting!
The field of education is so immediate, and every investment shows results quickly. It’s great to see when you build a school in an area where there’s nothing—no electricity, paved routes, or water—and little by little you see this community become transformed.
Totally different subject: Some of your fans, especially Latinas, still prefer you as a brunette even though you’ve been blond for a long time. What do you love about lighter hair?
You know, it’s just a color. I like that blond hair gives a lot of light onstage and makes my face pop a little more. The dark hair made me look more goth. And besides, how many blond Latinas are there in the world? Hello! [Laughs.]
How do you take care of it?
It takes dedication! I try not to use products that have alcohol in them, which can dry out my hair. I try to use serums with natural oils, along with sulfate-free shampoo. I’ve had really bad colorists who have burned my hair many times.
Really? We see this gorgeous head of hair and don’t know the stories behind it!
There are stories, and tears, and sweat behind my hair, for real!
What do you pack in your beauty bag for a day at the beach?
The highest SPF sunscreen I can find and a good detangler for my hair. I use a vitamin C serum before applying makeup, along with lots of moisturizer. I also try to buy beauty products that have as few chemicals as possible.
You have one of the most talked-about bodies in the world! How much do you work out to stay fit and toned?
I do sports and stay active for sure when I’m not touring—things that feel like fun so that I stay motivated. Tennis is my current favorite. And lots of dancing on tour, which is great for cardio and toning.
What do you typically eat when you’re not touring?
Truthfully—whatever I want. I don’t believe in depriving myself or being a slave to diets. I generally eat healthy, but I indulge too. And when I have to, for a video or a performance, I pull back a little. But it’s all about balance.
We’ll end on this note: What does Latina beauty mean to you?
To me, it’s confident, passionate, and—of course—curvy!
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