Shakira begins a new chapter after years of heartbreak, legal battles and public scrutiny.
After another major victory in Spain and preparing to headline the very first half of the FIFA World Cup Final, the global superstar reflects on the scars left by the painful experiences that ultimately transformed her.
Of his emotional breakup with Gerard Pique finding healing through music and fans around the world, the Colombian icon says every difficult moment has taught him something deeper about resilience and strength.
Shakira says painful experiences changed her outlook on life
Fresh from a busy photo shoot in New York, Shakira opened up about the lessons she’s learned from the difficult times that have played out publicly over the past few years.
The singer was hard at work while discussing plans for the music video linked to her new collaboration with Burna Boy “Dai Dai”, which will serve as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Although the upbeat track celebrates football, parts of its message accurately reflect Shakira’s personal journey. “What once broke you made you strong,” part of the lyrics states.
Addressed exclusively to PEOPLEShakira admitted that this phrase seemed particularly meaningful after suffering several emotional setbacks. “I always thought I was more fragile or weaker than life showed me,” the star told the outlet.
She has spent recent years dealing with her high-profile split from retired footballer Gerard Piqué, with whom she shares sons Milan and Sasha.
At the same time, she was waging a long battle against tax fraud in Spain while continuing to perform and release music.
“Behind every experience in life, there is always a lesson,” she said, adding, “We should be grateful for all these lessons, even for the people who leave you with scars, because they just make us better.”
Shakira reflected on her long struggle to achieve global stardom
Long before she became one of the biggest Latin artists in history, Shakira said she had to constantly fight for opportunities.
Over the course of her career, the 49-year-old has sold more than 95 million records worldwide and helped open doors for new Latin stars, including Bad Bunny and Karol G.
However, she admits that the path to success is not always easy. “I had to really fight to make my dreams come true,” Shakira explained.
Looking back on her youth, the “Waka Waka” singer said she wishes she had more confidence earlier in life instead of worrying about perfection.
“I would tell this girl in her 20s to enjoy it more, to believe in herself more,” she said.
Shakira also reflected on how aging has changed her view of beauty and self-worth. “I think women, over time, gain this new confidence,” she explained. “Even if we don’t look as perfect as we did in our 20s, it’s beautiful to be yourself and embrace who you are.”
Beyond music, Shakira has continued to focus on charity work. She revealed that all royalties from “Dai Dai” will support the FIFA Global Citizenship Education Fund, which provides children around the world with access to education and football programs.
Shakira is back on the World Cup stage years after meeting Gerard Piqué
Football has remained deeply intertwined with Shakira’s personal and professional life since her first appearance at the 2010 World Cup.
“I have this connection with [soccer] it seems unbreakable,” she explained. This tournament was particularly life-changing for her because it was there that she first met Pique.
The couple eventually started a family before their relationship collapsed years later amid allegations of infidelity.
Shakira is now preparing to take another major step in the World Cup. The Grammy winner will headline the inaugural World Cup halftime show at MetLife Stadium alongside Madonna and BTS.
Although details of the show are still being finalized, she hinted that the show will convey a broader message in a difficult global climate.
“Every World Cup is truly magical. I think this one will aim to bring people together in this very sensitive moment, socially and politically,” explained Shakira.
Shakira turned her heartbreak into one of her biggest career comebacks
After her breakup with Piqué, Shakira used music as a means of emotional release. In January 2023, she released “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” alongside producer Bizarrap.
The song directly addressed the aftermath of the split and quickly became a worldwide hit.
“It was just pure catharsis. I really needed to write about what I was going through and not have censorship,” Shakira admitted.
The track debuted at No. 1 on Spotify’s Daily Global 200 chart and became his first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in over a decade.
Shakira joked that songwriting was becoming cheaper than therapy. She also credited this painful chapter for helping her realize how resilient she truly was.
“Through these difficult times, I discovered how resilient we all are,” the singer explained.
During this time, Shakira said the support of those close to her became essential. According to her, “life is crap, but it’s definitely worth living because friends are there for you.”
Shakira celebrated a huge legal victory while plotting her next chapter
Just days after her photo shoot, Shakira scored another major personal victory when Spain’s National High Court cleared her of tax fraud allegations related to her 2011 income.
The decision overturned sanctions previously imposed by Spanish tax authorities. According to his representative, the songwriter is expected to recover more than 60 million euros ($69.7 million).
“After more than eight years of brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns to destroy my reputation, and sleepless nights that ultimately impacted my health and the well-being of my family, the National High Court has finally set the record straight,” Shakira said in a statement.
The star is currently preparing for the US leg of her world tour which kicks off June 13, and her sons are expected to join her on the road.
Meanwhile, Shakira insists she still feels motivated about what’s next, even though she’s already spent three decades in the industry.
“You know what’s weird? I’ve been doing this professionally for 30 years already,” Shakira said, “and I feel like I’m just getting started.”
