Shakira

Shakira Separates From Boyfriend Of 11 Years

11 Jan 2011 13:44:30 EST

But Columbian pop star says she and Antonio de la Rua view split as 'temporary.'
By Nuzhat Naoreen

With Valentine's Day a little more than a month away, the list of celebrity splits keeps on growing.

In a post on her blog, Shakira announced on Monday that she and her boyfriend of nearly 11 years, Antonio de la Rúa, are taking a break. While rumors of wedding bells have emerged about the couple in the past, the singer confirmed they have been separated since last August but chose to keep the news under wraps.

"We made a mutual decision to take time apart from our romantic relationship," Shakira wrote in her post. "Throughout this time we have continued to work together hand in hand, have remained close and have kept the details absolutely private until now."

The announcement comes fresh on the heels of other long-term celebrity couples calling it quits, including Courteney Cox and David Arquette, who separated last year after 11 years of marriage, and Mila Kunis and Macaulay Culkin, who ended their nine-year relationship earlier this month.

Shakira added that she and de la Rúa, who is a lawyer and the son of former Argentine president Fernando de la Rúa, "view this period of separation as temporary," explaining that they would continue to work together.

"Antonio continues to oversee and conduct my business and career interests as he has always done," she said. "We move forward as partners, developing projects together, working hand in hand and in close communication."

The singer also noted that the two are an "exceptional couple and partners," and stressed that the separation was amicable. "Our friendship and understanding of one another is unwavering and indestructible," she said.

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Shakira Opens EMA Show With Dizzee Rascal

07 Nov 2010 16:53:26 EST

Madrid crowd goes crazy for 'Loca' and 'Waka Waka.'
By Mawuse Ziegbe

The 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards got off to a crazy start, courtesy of a performance from hip-swiveling superstar Shakira.

The Colombian megastar opened the show with her Sale el Sol single "Loca," rallying the crowd with her signature undulating moves. Flanked by two dancers, Shakira hit the Madrid stage in a silvery bra top and fringed harem pants under neon lights. Then British grime rapper Dizzee Rascal joined the singer for his verse on the English version of the track, rocking a simply sleek black jacket and white T-shirt, and getting the crowd amped.

After "Loca," Dizzee retreated backstage as Shakira launched into her global World Cup anthem "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)," a suitable choice for an award show staged in the nation of the world soccer champs. The Spaniards showed their pride throughout the percussion-heavy jam, as mammoth flags rose from various points in the audience, and were waved above the crowd. Swirls of confetti rained on the crowd as Shakira wrapped up her high-energy set.

Her collabo with Dizzee is just one of several brushes with hip-hop the singer has explored in recent years. Shakira told MTV News in 2009 that she was trying to broaden her musical horizons by hooking up with rap artists.

"I'm never going to be a hardcore hip-hop singer," she said. "I come from Colombia, but I think music today ... it's about bringing elements that belong to different universes, even though they're opposed or similar, and making them exist in this big melting pot that the world is today. The world has shrunk, and we're just a big neighborhood, and it's kind of cool."

Shakira's set was the first in a night packed with performances from some of the world's biggest stars. Katy Perry, Linkin Park, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Kings of Leon, B.o.B, Ke$ha, Bon Jovi and more all will grace the EMA stage. The night is hosted by "Desperate Housewives" diva Eva Longoria.

The 2010 EMAs air on MTV2 on Sunday (November 7) at 9 p.m. ET, and an edited, performance-heavy version will be broadcast Friday at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.

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Shakira Goes 'Loca' In New Guerrilla-Style Video

29 Sep 2010 14:31:41 EDT

The Colombian star roller-skates, hip-shakes and fountain-dives for crazy clip.
By James Montgomery

For nearly two decades now, either due to her multinational leanings (the Colombian's music is as indebted to Latin American rhythms as it is to Arabic dance, Euro disco and red-white-and-blue rock) or because she is sort of insane (see last year's She Wolf album), Shakira has managed to carve out her own, rather indefinable niche in pop music.

On Wednesday (September 29), she premiered the video for "Loca," the first single off her upcoming Sale el Sol album (due October 19). And while it's not exactly a unique artistic endeavor — it echoes sentiments already expressed by the likes of Matt & Kim (in their "Lessons Learned" clip) and Erykah Badu (in her firestormy "Window Seat" vid) — it's still undoubtedly her ... mostly because none of her high-gloss pop contemporaries would ever dare attempt something like it.

Shot run-and-gun style in Barcelona, "Loca" follows Shakira and her crew — which includes a few cameramen and, somewhat improbably, British rapper Dizzee Rascal — on a madcap adventure that includes roller-skating, public wardrobe changes, motorcycle cruising, an illicit hop in a public fountain (a move that landed her in hot, uh, water with local authorities) and, of course, plenty of hip shaking. It's a decidedly guerrilla endeavor that appears to have been done on a budget hovering around zero (aside from a performance scene, the entire thing appears to have been shot on handheld cameras). The Britneys, Beyoncés and Gagas would probably never make something like this ... and yet, here it works, mostly because, well, it just sort of seems like the kind of thing Shakira would do.

For that alone, she deserves to be praised. Because unlike Matt & Kim (or Erykah Badu, really), Shakira has plenty to lose. Her albums are big events, things that resonate across continents, and it would be rather easy (or, at least, expected) for her to come out of the gate with a big-budget, glossy pop video. Instead, we get "Loca," which is none of those things, and is probably better because of that.

And though it features some near-nudity and some illegal activity, the thing that resonates most about the "Loca" video is that none of that bad behavior is played up for shock value. Instead, it all helps match the kinetic, herky-jerky energy of the song itself. "Loca" is the rare video that doesn't attempt to outshine the song it's based on. Instead, it complements it. This is a very lively song, after all, so what better way to capture that than with a very lively video?

There's a calculated madness to the "Loca" video, a vibrant, unchained energy, the kind very few artists can conjure up, no matter how big the budget. And, come to think of it, that's a pretty accurate way of summing up Shakira's entire career. It's called synergy, people.

What do you think of Shakira's "Loca" video? Share your reviews in the comments.

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Shakira's 'Loca' Music Video Premiere

29 Sep 2010 14:24:32 EDT

The Colombian songstress goes raw in this brand new music video.
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Shakira's 'Loca' Video: Watch An Exclusive Preview!

27 Sep 2010 14:36:49 EDT

Singer goes guerrilla for clip, which features a madcap dash around Barcelona.
By James Montgomery

In her previous videos, Shakira's gone global, game-set-match and, after shooting "She Wolf," probably to the chiropractor. And now, in her new video for "Loca," she's gone guerrilla.

Shot run-and-gun style in Barcelona last month, the "Loca" clip follows Shakira and her crew on a madcap dash around the city — including scenes shot in a public fountain and on the back of a motorcycle, which got her in hot water with local authorities. Thanks to all that, it's a decidedly different turn from her past efforts, most of which were big-budget affairs, and all of which avoided getting her in trouble with the law.

"Loca" — which features a cameo by British rapper Dizzee Rascal — is the first single off her new album, Sale El Sol (due October 19), and while the full video won't premiere until Wednesday on MTV.com, you can watch an exclusive 30-second sneak peek right now. There's roller skating, frolicking in a fountain, (very public) costume changes, motorcycle riding and — of course — a whole lot of hip-shaking, too. It's sexy, cheeky and, yes, even a little bit crazy, but then again, what Shakira video isn't? And while "Loca" may be a departure from her previous clips, what makes it great is the simple fact that none of her pop contemporaries — not even Lady Gaga — would dare try something like this. And that's why we love her so much.

But why are you reading this? Have a look at our exclusive preview of "Loca" right now, and make sure to check back on Wednesday for the full experience. Trust us, it's worth it.

Are you excited for Shakira's "Loca" video? Let us know in the comments!

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Justin Bieber, Snoop, Shakira And More Tweet About World Cup Final

12 Jul 2010 15:28:46 EDT

Will.I.Am, Paris and Perez Hilton and others post excitement over Spain's win over the Netherlands.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

As Spain took home its first-ever FIFA World Cup win on Sunday, stars of all kinds took to Twitter to reflect on the final match of the global soccer tourney.

British songstress Estelle shouted out the Spanish team, tweeting, "Spain were...on dis ting!!!!! Congrats!!!"

Justin Bieber apparently enjoyed the matchup between Spain and the Netherlands, tweeting, "wow...SPAIN!! great game...nothing to be ashamed of." The Spanish team may have reigned victorious but the Canadian teen showed love to the Netherlands as well. "True champions on both sides," Bieber wrote.

Some stars shared their eager anticipation of the final match with their Twitter followers. Paris Hilton, who was still taking in the games after a run-in with local police over alleged marijuana possession, sent out a picture of an illuminated stadium before the match kicked off.

Will.I.Am tweeted his support for the Spaniards before the game: "Spain, please be victorious tonight against Holland...(Pay back for beating my Brazilian team)."

Three hours later, as "La Furia Roja" scored the winning goal in overtime, the Peas producer typed, "Vamos Spain...victory."

Gossip-monger Perez Hilton tweeted a similarly succinct message, typing, "Olé! #ESP," after the team walked away with the win.

Snoop Dogg, who has been active on his Twitter page about the World Cup hullabaloo, apparently wasn't able to catch the game live and tweeted Sunday, "I land at 2:30 pm pst in Vegas need to watch the game when I get there. Hook me up wit the replay or download link for the game."

The Doggfather apparently got a link hook-up and later tweeted a picture of himself onstage with the caption, "Live at the Pokerstars party in Vegas for WSOP and rockin the red n [yellow] spain jersey."

Shakira, who brought her power-shimmy to both the opening and closing concerts at this year's World Cup, tweeted a picture of her and South African native Charlize Theron in a post-game embrace with the caption, "With Charlize Theron celebrating at the end of the world cup!"

Nicky Hilton, who hung out in the African nation with her sister Paris, showed love to the first-time winners but also acknowledged the first-time host country. "Congratulations to South Africa for putting on a brilliant World Cup and being such an amazing host!"

Were you tweeting with your friends during the World Cup? Share your favorite reactions in the comments below.

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Shakira, Bono, R. Kelly, Russell Brand Score With World Cup Anthems

10 Jun 2010 16:16:27 EDT

Skakira's official FIFA World Cup song 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' has much company among 2010 soccer anthems.
By Gil Kaufman

It's hard enough to get Americans pumped up to watch a bunch of other country's teams play soccer, but one thing we can all agree on is that the crazy-quilt Pangaea of World Cup anthems is an amazing spectacle to behold. From Shakira's Official FIFA World Cup song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" to Russell Brand and Robbie Williams' remake of England's unofficial soccer song, "Three Lions," there are a head-spinning array of choices when it comes to soccer soundtracks for the planet's biggest sporting event.

Colombian hip-swiveler Shakira teamed up with South Africa's Freshlyground for the tournament's official song. The propulsive Afro-techno "Waka Waka" has the perfect mix of inspirational lyrics — "The pressure's on, you feel it/ It's time for Africa, your time to shine" — and a raise-the-roof vibe that you can picture pumping out of stereos from Johannesburg to Pittsburgh.

No slouch in the inspiration department, Mr. "I Believe I Can Fly" himself, R. Kelly, also cooked up an official FIFA World Cup anthem with a little ditty he calls "Sign of a Victory." The collabo with the Soweto Spiritual Singers choir — who will perform the song with Kelly at Friday's opening ceremonies — bubbles along on a syncopated, African percussion beat while Kelly sings, "I can feel the spirit of the nation/ And I can feel my wings riding the wind." The choir backs him up with an uplifting, wordless chant under the chorus "That's the sign of a victory." He also manages to incorporate the phrases, "let the games begin," "we can achieve anything, including the impossible," "raise the flag" and "scream like you want to win."

Somalian/Canadian rapper K'Naan also went the inspirational route with his official Coca-Cola anthem, "Wavin' Flag," which has the rising-up-from-oppression vibe of a classic Bob Marley tune. With assists from Will.I.Am and David Guetta, the soaring tune camouflages a song about poverty and oppression in a heart-stirring call to arms to let your banner fly.

Pepsi wasn't about to get aced out of this action, so it recruited Akon and Keri Hilson to make a video with soccer stars Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba called "Oh Africa," as part of the celebration of the continent's first hosting duty for the global event. It also has the obligatory South African township jive stomp, and like the other songs, is as much about Africa's spot in the sun as it is about sports.

And because there's probably some rule about Bono having to participate in any globally unifying event, the U2 singer hooked up with Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo and John Legend for a thumping, Afro-pop cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up."

Another cover that was recorded as an unofficial English World Cup anthem is a banging remake of Tears for Fears' "Shout" called "Shout for England," laid down by U.K. rapper Dizzee Rascal and actor James Corden at the behest of former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell. It has a thundering chorus that adds a thick acid-house beat to the original tune as Rascal spits lyrics to inspire England's soccer stars to victory.

For no apparent reason, New York's We Are Scientists have also offered up a song for England's club, the appropriately named, "Goal! England," a slice of T. Rex-inspired garage rock thunder that features the unforgettable lines, "Kicking the kicking the kicking the kicking the ball/ Kicking it into the goal/ Go, go, go, go go ... England!"

Then there is the official FIFA Mascot song from Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, who hooked up with South African group TKZee and England's Dario G to let the dogs out for the high NRG club banger "Game On." Taking things a little less seriously is U.K. legend Robbie Williams, who formed "The Squad" with comedians Russell Brand, Daniel Baddiel and Frank Skinner to record a remake of England's unofficial soccer song, "Three Lions." The mash of opera, a soaring choir singing, "It's coming home/ Football's coming home," a bouncy, Madness-like ska pop vibe and self-deprecating soccer-centric lyrics about England's chances of regaining football glory make for a lovably comic mess.

Among the other acts on the FIFA-sanctioned soundtrack to the international soccer showdown, Listen Up!: The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album, are: Nneka ("Viva Africa"), Matisyahu featuring Nameless ("One Day"), Wyclef Jean, J Pre, Jazmine Sullivan and B. Howard ("Ke Nako"), and late South African opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe (known as the "black Pavarotti") featuring former South African president Nelson Mandela ("Hope").

And of course, if none of these tunes provide the right kick, there's always the unofficial World Cup Song contest, with nearly 400 entries. The top five is currently dominated by England, with Christian singer Gerry Asmus' "It's Our Game," a flowery pop piffle about King George and English pride, holding down the top spot at press time.

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Shakira Unveils 'Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)'

29 Apr 2010 12:34:00 EDT

Track is the official song of the 2010 World Cup and will benefit public health centers in Africa.
By James Montgomery

Fresh off her duet with Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox on Wednesday night's "American Idol," Shakira has unveiled yet another collaboration ... this one set to take place on an even bigger stage (yes, that's actually possible).

On her official site, she's just posted a track called "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," which will serve as the official theme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, set to kick off June 11 in South Africa.

The track — a collabo between Shaki and South African Afro-fusion band Freshlyground — was co-produced by John Hill, who most recently produced a pair of songs from her 2009 album She Wolf. Like much of her work, it's a poly-sonic affair: According to a statement on her site, the chorus of the song borrows from a favorite Cameroonian marching chant that was popularized by the group Golden Voices.

Shakira and Freshlyground will perform "Waka Waka" at the World Cup closing ceremonies, held before the final match on July 11 in Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium. The song will be available for download through digital retailers the week of May 11, and will also be included on Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album, set to be released the week of May 31 by Sony Music Entertainment. A Spanish-language version of the track will also be available.

Proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit FIFA's "20 Centers for 2010" initiative, which aims to achieve positive social change through football (that's "soccer" to us Americans) by building 20 "Football for Hope" public health centers across Africa.

In addition to her performance at the closing ceremonies, Shakira will also be one of the headline performers at the official FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert on June 10, broadcast from Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg South Africa. A video for "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is also set to debut in mid-May.

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Siobhan Magnus Eliminated On 'American Idol'

28 Apr 2010 23:05:00 EDT

Michael Lynche and Casey James join her in the bottom three.
By Gil Kaufman

It's getting to that point in season nine of "American Idol" when it gets hard to guess who will go home every week because the competition has gotten so tight. But a night after Simon Cowell compared her tortured screaming to the sound of a woman giving birth, America decided that it wasn't quite ready for an "Idol" champ as quirky as tattooed glassblower Siobhan Magnus.

After charming the judges and voting public with her offbeat style sense, powerhouse vocals and sometimes sassy backtalk to the judges, Magnus' luck ran out after she closed Tuesday's show with an all-over-the-place take on Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine."

Magnus was given the boot on a night that was packed with performances from Rascal Flatts, Shakira and Lady Antebellum, and her exit came after more than 33 million votes were lodged Tuesday.

The results began with host Ryan Seacrest creating three groups of two. The first pairing included Magnus and Lee Dewyze, followed by Casey James and Michael Lynche and then Aaron Kelly and Crystal Bowersox. Cutting the tension immediately, Seacrest walked Magnus across the stage for her first trip to the bottom three, alongside Lynche and James.

The first singer sent back to safety was Lynche, who dodged a bullet for the second time this season. "Tonight is different because everyone did well last night, so there's no shame in the bottom three," he said before being sent back to the couches. With James safe, that left the woman Seacrest called an "independent spirit" standing center stage in her salmon-colored miniskirt-and-tank-top combo.

Saying she tried out for the show for her little sisters, Magnus hoped that she had a big impact on them. "I did my best, and I hope that I was able to show them what we're all capable of," she said, clearly holding back some emotion.

Keeping her composure, Magnus went out with a typically sassy run through Aretha Franklin's "Think," which got the final five and the whole audience on their feet and clapping along. It ended, of course, with one of her signature ear-piercing screams and then some hugs for her family, who told her, "You're still our star."

This being a country-themed week, the show kicked off with a live performance from twangy trio Rascal Flatts, who played their cowboy-pop ditty "Unstoppable." Along with the usual time-killing Ford video and some other promotional shenanigans, the first half of the show also featured season-four "Idol" superstar Carrie Underwood flying in from her national tour just to introduce her current opening act, the little-known brotherly band Sons of Sylvia.

Bringing a harder-edge, new-wave country vibe than they displayed during their winning run last year on "The Next Great America Band," the all-black-clad Clark brothers played their debut single, "Love Left to Lose." The tune mixed straightforward radio rock with country touches, including fiddle, mandolin and rocked-out resonator guitar over a thudding backbeat.

With a whole hour to fill, the next break featured ACM winners Lady Antebellum performing their triple-platinum smash "Need You Now." The Fleetwood Mac-like ballad of romantic longing that has helped propel the album of the same name to the best sales figures of any 2010 release found singers Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott trading off yearning vocals as third member Dave Haywood played along on a grand piano in the background.

The night's final performance was a truly odd combo, as hip-shaker Shakira was joined by Flatts for the spare belly-dance/ boot-scooter "Gypsy," which she opened by showing off her harmonica skills. Joined by two dancers, Shakira worked her flowing red skirt and swiveled her hips as she melded her yodely vocals with the high, lonesome sound of Flatts' Gary LeVox.

Next week's mentor will be Harry Connick Jr., who will lead the finalists through the songbook of Frank Sinatra.

What did you think of tonight's elimination? Did Siobhan deserve to go home? Leave your comments below!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Shakira's 'Gypsy' Gets A Boost From Rascal Flatts On 'American Idol'

28 Apr 2010 23:05:00 EDT

Singer plays the harmonica, harmonizes with Gary LeVox for free-sprit performance.
By Katie Byrne

Shakira busted out her best Stevie Nicks ensemble during "American Idol" to perform her new single, "Gypsy," with a little help from Rascal Flatts.

The free-spirit singer — wearing a sparkly tank top, dangling earrings and a floor-length red skirt — started the song out on harmonica. During the first verse, she was joined by some interpretive backup dancers and even threw in some moves herself.

Rascal Flatts singer Gary LeVox then chimed in with backing vocals. As the pair harmonized, they headed to a platform behind the "Idol" judges and Shakira showed off some of her trademark hip-swiveling. She even pulled the harmonica back out to close up the song.

After the performance, host Ryan Seacrest said what most of the viewers were probably thinking: "Gary LeVox and Shakira — I never thought I'd see that!"

He also had a tough question for the Flatts frontman: "What was it like to move your hips with her?"

"I recommend to him to wear a skirt, but he refused," Shakira chimed in.

Rascal Flatts kicked off the "Idol" elimination episode by performing their new single, "Unstoppable," in place of a top-six group number.

Back in February, Shakira released a steamy video for "Gypsy" starring Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal. The video, like the song paired with it, has a much more organic vibe than other tracks from Shakira's 2009 album She Wolf. Directed by frequent Shakira collaborator Jaume de Laiguana, the video tells a love story that plays out on a desert backdrop. It's an ideal setting for the romance between the smiling Shakira and her often-shirtless tennis pro to unfold.

What did you think of Shakira's collaboration with Rascal Flatts? Let us know in the comments below!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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