Shakira has always been close to my heart as a favorite singer, but my love for her grew even more when I was studying in Barcelona a few years ago. It felt like her music was playing everywhere I went, and her energetic spirit was all around me with her songs playing in the background and her face appearing on Spanish billboards and magazines nonstop.
The Spanish culture embraced Shakira with open arms, seeing her not only as a talented singer but also as a powerful influencer. Intrigued by this level of admiration, I delved into her history and was amazed by her remarkable journey. It soon became evident to me that Shakira truly epitomizes the qualities of a true Latina role model.
Shakira, born in 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia, is known for her full name Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll. Just like Sofia Vergara, she hails from the same hometown. Apart from being a celebrated singer with a unique Latin flair, she is also a skilled songwriter, dancer, record producer, choreographer, and model. What sets her apart is her ability to speak multiple languages, including Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Catalan. During her downtime, she enjoys playing musical instruments like the guitar, harmonica, and drums, demonstrating her diverse range of talents.
During the early 1990s, she entered the Latin American music scene, struggling to make a name for herself in the American industry. It wasn’t until she developed her own distinct musical style that she finally started to gain recognition. In 2002, she achieved mainstream success with the launch of her first English single “Whenever, Wherever,” propelling her to superstardom. A personal favorite Shakira track of mine has to be “Hips Don’t Lie,” which was released in 2006. Feel free to check out the music video for this infectious song below.
I chose to feature Shakira on my blog not only because of her remarkable singing and performing skills, but also because of her meaningful efforts as a Latina celebrity committed to creating a positive change. Back in 1997, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation (Barefoot Foundation) in Colombia, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged children access education. Shakira strongly believes in the importance of providing every child with a chance to receive a high-quality education, and she has put in a lot of hard work to impact as many young lives as possible. Over the years, the foundation’s reach has expanded to include other countries like Haiti and South Africa.
Shakira noticed the challenges faced by children in Colombia due to the poor economic situation, resulting in limited access to education for many based on where they live or their social standing. Data from Audience Scapes in 2009 shows the disparities in the level of education received by Colombian children based on their financial situation.
Shakira realized that education levels were disappointingly low among people of different income levels, prompting her to take action. Her dedication to supporting education in Colombia and nurturing the potential of the youth is truly admirable. Thanks to her foundation, Shakira has managed to instill hope for a better tomorrow in the country.
Shakira’s story is incredibly inspiring to me because she didn’t allow her upbringing to hold her back. Growing up in a less privileged environment in a developing country, she faced many obstacles. However, instead of letting them define her, she pushed through and achieved success. What’s even more admirable is that she gives back to others in need by supporting a non-profit organization. It’s truly heartwarming to see someone like Shakira use her influence to make a positive impact on the world.
I’ve always been a huge admirer of Shakira’s remarkable skills, but my respect for her reached new heights when I learned about her generosity and caring demeanor. She truly shines as one of the most charitable celebrities I’ve come across, serving as a source of motivation for the Latino community as a whole.
