Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, popularly known as Shakira, is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. She is one of the most successful and influential Latin American artists of all time. Shakira has sold over 70 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Latin music artist of all time.
Childhood and Weight Issues:
Shakira grew up in Barranquilla, a city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Her childhood was filled with music, dance, and laughter. She was raised in a multicultural environment and was exposed to a variety of music genres, including salsa, merengue, and rock.
What many don’t know about Shakira is that as a child, she was chubby and struggled with her body weight. She was often teased by her peers and felt insecure about her appearance. However, Shakira’s parents taught her to embrace her unique features and not let her body weight define her.
In her teenage years, Shakira started to dance and exercise regularly, which helped her to lose weight and improve her self-confidence. She also developed a love for belly dancing, which she later incorporated into her music and performances.
Shakira’s Family:
Shakira’s family was supportive of her passion for music, and she often performed at family gatherings and local events. She attended a Catholic school, where she was an excellent student and excelled in languages and literature.
Shakira’s family played a significant role in shaping her personality and career. Her parents were her biggest supporters and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Her father, William Mebarak, was a jeweler and supported Shakira financially throughout her career. She was also close to her paternal grandmother, who was of Lebanese descent, and often spoke Arabic with her. Shakira’s grandmother was a source of inspiration for her, and she later incorporated Arabic music and dance into her music.
Getting Into Music:
Shakira began writing songs at the age of eight and made her first public performance at the age of ten. She was encouraged by her parents to pursue her passion for music, and they supported her throughout her career.
Shakira’s breakthrough in music came in the early 1990s when she signed a record deal with Sony Music Colombia. Her debut album, “Magia,” was released in 1991 and received critical acclaim. However, it was her third studio album, “Pies Descalzos,” released in 1995, that made her a household name in Latin America.
“Pies Descalzos” was a commercial success, selling over five million copies worldwide. The album included hits such as “Estoy Aquí” and “Dónde Estás Corazón.” Shakira’s music was a fusion of rock, pop, and Latin American rhythms, and her lyrics often dealt with social issues and personal experiences.
Her Breakthrough in America:
She entered the English-language market with her fifth album, Laundry Service (2001), which sold over 13 million copies worldwide. Buoyed by the international success of her singles “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes”, the album propelled her reputation as a leading crossover artist.
