Shakira has opened up on how she is coping following the breakdown of her relationship with ex Gerard Piqué over cheating allegations.
The mother of two, 46, admitted it was a ‘long answer’ when questioned on if she felt happy at the moment, summarising that she can’t say that she is.
Speaking to Billboard about her life after the split, Shakira detailed how she is managing to juggle raising her two sons and her revitalised music career.
Musing on her current state of mind, Shakira said: ‘I don’t think everyone has access to happiness. It’s reserved for a very select number of people, and I can’t say I’m part of the club at this moment.’
Shakira’s career is going from strength to strength, she recently became the first South American artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs. She is also among the top nominees at the upcoming Latin Grammy Awards.
Struggles: Shakira has opened up on how she is coping following the breakdown of her relationship with ex Gerard Piqué over cheating allegations
Split: The mother of two, 46, admitted it was a ‘long answer’ when questioned on if she felt happy at the moment, summarising that she can’t say that she is (pictured 2019)
Shakira says she has channelled the pain of her break-up into her music, which has proved a huge success with the fans.
However Shakira admitted: ‘Nothing can compensate for the pain of destroying a family.’
She said: ‘Of course, I have to keep going for my children’s sake; that’s my greatest motivation. But my biggest dream, more than collecting platinum albums and Grammys, was to raise my sons with their father. Overcome obstacles and grow old together. I know I’m not getting that now.’
The most notable of Shakira’s recent work is her diss-track, Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53, which details a story of betrayal amid allegations of infidelity on Gerard’s part, who is now dating Clara Chia Marti, 26.
It seems Shakira has been able to pull off the classic move of using your art to exercise your demons, considering over the past 12 months, in the wake of her split from Pique, she has had six hits on the chart, according to Billboard.
All six of those hits allude to the separation from Gerard that range in emotions from great sorrow to rage and ultimately hope of what’s to come in the future.
Just this year the Columbian singer has scored two number songs this year with TQG with Karol G. and Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53. with Argentine DJ Bizarrap, which is a diss song, as well as being a women’s empowerment anthem.
Both TQG and Sessions would also reach the Hot 100’s top 10, while the former topped the Billboard Global 200. Sessions reached number one in 16 countries as well as on Hot Latin Songs.
Dating: Gerard is now dating Clara Chia Marti, 26, following his split from Shakira
In a recent, Shakira was asked about the controversy surrounding Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53, and whether it was right to speak out so publicly about her relationship with the former football star.
‘When I did that session, people on my team were saying, “Please change this. Don’t even think about coming out with those lyrics.” And I said, “Why not?’ I’m not a diplomat in the United Nations. I’m an artist, and I have the right to work on my emotions through my music,” she declared.
She continued, ‘It’s my catharsis and my therapy, but it’s also the therapy of many people. I know I’m the voice of many people, and I’m not being pretentious, just realistic. I lend my voice to many women who maybe also wanted to say the same things I said and perhaps haven’t had the validation to do so.’
It sounded as if Shakira felt an obligation to speak out for women as a whole when it came to the lyrics of songs like Sessions and TQG.
‘I think songs like the Bizarrap session or like the one I did with Karol have given many women strength, self-empowerment, self-confidence and also the backing to express and say what they need to say.’
The way we were: The former couple, who split in 2022 after 11 years together, share two young sons Milán, 10, and Sasha, eight
Before her recent string of hits, Shakira’s last number one on the Hot Latin Songs chart was Chantaje, with Maluma, back in 2016.
Her descent from the top of the charts the last decade or so sounded more like a choice for a woman who prided herself in putting her family, and their lives in Barcelona, first.
‘My priority was my home, my family. I believed in ’till death do us part.’ I believed that dream, and I had that dream for myself, for my children,’ the Barranquilla, Colombia native confessed in the interview.
She added, ‘My parents have been together, I don’t know, 50 years, and they love each other like the first day, with a love that’s unique and unrepeatable. So I know it’s possible. My mom doesn’t leave my [sick] father’s side. They still kiss on the mouth. And it has always been my example. It’s what I wanted for myself and my children, but it didn’t happen.’
Despite the heartbreak and disappointment, the Try Everything star knew she had to forge on for both herself and her two kids, Milán, 10, and Sasha, eight.
‘If life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade,’ she declared. ‘That’s what I’m doing: making lemonade.
Since May, when the Colombian star relocated from Barcelona to Miami, she has been spending as much time in the recording studio as possible working on new music for an upcoming new album and tour.
It will be her twelfth studio album and first since dropping El Dorado in May 2017.
Inspired by her personal life and experiences, El Dorado primarily features songs about the singer’s relationship with Piqué, which began after meeting in 2011.
Now, it appears, the focus is again largely on Gerard, in terms of lyrics, only now it’s about moving on from the heartache and enjoying her new life in Miami with her kids.
‘I think this will be the tour of my life,’ she said, as preparations for the global trek are still ongoing. ‘I’m very excited. Just think, I had my foot on the brakes. Now I’m pressing on the accelerator — hard.’
Family life: Speaking to Billboard about her life after the split, Shakira detailed how she is managing to juggle raising her two sons and her revitalised music career (pictured 2023)
