Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, is currently one of the most internationally recognized artists in the world. Not only do millions of people know her music and have followed her recording career for many years, they have also followed her personal life, which is quite public.

The most recent event in her personal life, her separation from Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué after 12 years together, has sparked headlines and lots of conversation starters.

Shakira and Piqué Break Up

Piqué and the singer, who was born on February 2nd, 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia, have two children together, Milan and Sasha, and are currently fighting for custody. Right after their separation she had asked for sole custody of the children so she could move with them to Miami, and although he had at first accepted, things soon got complicated.

As it turns out, Shakira and Piqué’s relationship is not as it once was. The former couple will have to see each other again in the “Juzgado de Familia (Family Court) 18 of Barcelona.” The appointment will be to rectify the agreement that was reached regarding the two children that the artist and the soccer player have together. It is said that it took thirteen hours of discussion to achieve this agreement.

“We want to communicate that we have signed an agreement that guarantees the well-being of our children and that it will be ratified in court, as part of a merely formal process. Our sole objective is to provide them with the greatest security and protection, and we trust that their privacy will be respected,” says part of an official statement.

Five months after announcing their separation to the world, and after multiple meetings in which Shakira requested custody of the children to go live in Miami, arguing that she had no reason to stay in Barcelona if she was no longer with Piqué, the athlete finally gave in to her request.

Shakira’s last song “Monotonía,” and allusions to Piqué

In her own words, Shakira has gone through one of the most challenging years of her life. In addition to her separation, this year she had also been accused of alleged tax evasion in Spain and that this could end with her having to pay a hefty fine.

With all of this going on, both the singer and her fans were expecting happier news regarding her life and career, and were very excited about the release of her latest single called “Monotonía.” The song was also accompanied by a video clip that she recorded with Puerto Rican reggaetón artist, Ozuna. Ever since its release, the single has been heavily talked about, not only because of the charismatic energy the two Latin singers provide, but also because of the song’s lyrical content.

“It was not your fault or mine, it was fault of the monotony. I never said anything, but it hurt, I knew this would happen. You, involved in your things and doing the same, always looking to be the center of attention. You forgot what we were one day… Suddenly you weren’t the same anymore, you left me because of your narcissism…,” says part of the lyrics of the song.

Prior to its release, Shakira had announced that the album, which includes this song, excites her a lot.

“When I felt that I lacked strength, as if I had no legs, those days I wrote songs, and I felt that I was revived and came out stronger,” said the Colombian artist in a statement released to the international press.

Her new album includes songs in both English and Spanish and songs that cover an array of musical genres.

In a dialogue with the Spanish media, the artist, who now seeks to settle down quietly in Miami, said that the separation process was “incredibly difficult,” especially due to the attention of the press and the impact it had on her children. “Sometimes I feel like this is all a bad dream and I’m going to wake up at some point. But no, it’s real,” Shakira also said.

World Cup: Qatar 2022 no, Africa 2010 yes

Three days before the start of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, it was announced that Shakira would not participate in the opening ceremony scheduled for Sunday, November 20th, the official beginning of the World Cup.

Although the artist did not express it herself officially, it’s believed that her decision could be related to the fierce criticism that she had previously received for her possible presence in Qatar, a country that organizations affirm does not comply with world treaties on human rights. 

Other voices claim that she made the decision not to participate in order to support human rights, the LGBTQ+ community and women in that country, since she usually advocates for fair causes.

Unlike the months before the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Africa, when it was announced that Shakira would perform the official song “Waka, Waka”- which even today remains a world-famous hit-, this time around no such announcement has been made.