Shakira’s split from Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué last year after 11 years together not only rocked her world as she knew it, but also made her the darling of the Spanish tabloids, as she has lived in Barcelona since starting their family.
And while the publicized breakup temporarily devastated her heart and soul, the process of trying to make sense of the loss and betrayal amid accusations of infidelity on Piqué’s part seems to have turned into gold for her art.
It seems that Shakira has managed to pull off the old classic gambit of using one’s art to exercise her demons, considering that, according to Billboard, she has had six chart-topping hits in the last 12 months following her split from Pique had .
And what’s more: all six hits allude to the separation from Piqué, whose feelings range from great sadness to anger to hope for the future.
Just this year, the Colombian singer recorded two number songs with TQG with Karol G. and Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53. with the Argentine DJ Bizarrap, a diss song aimed at Piqué and at the same time an anthem to empower women.
Open book: Shakira, 46, talks about her new musical renaissance following a string of hits all referencing ex Gerard Piqué after they chaotically spilled amid allegations of his infidelity
Both TQG and Sessions also reached the top 10 on the Hot 100, while the former topped the Billboard Global 200.
Sessions reached number one in 16 countries as well as on Hot Latin Songs.
In a new interview with Billboard, Shakira (née Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll), 46, was asked about the controversy surrounding Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53, and whether it was right to speak so publicly about her relationship with the former soccer star, 36.
“When I did that session, the people on my team said, ‘Please change that. Don’t even think about putting these texts out.’ And I said, ‘Why not?’ I’m not a diplomat at the United Nations. “I am an artist and have the right to work on my emotions through my music,” she proudly declared.
She continued, “It’s my catharsis and my therapy, but it’s also a lot of people’s therapy.” I know I’m the voice of a lot of people, and I’m not being pretentious, just realistic. I lend my voice to many women who may have wanted to say the same things I did and perhaps didn’t have the validation they needed.”
It sounded like Shakira felt compelled to stand up 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 the one I did with Karol have given a lot of women strength, self-empowerment, self-confidence and also the support to express and say what they need to say.”
Shakira is aware of the connection between her family’s disintegration after her split from Piqué and her new musical renaissance.
“I feel like a cat with more than nine lives; Whenever I think I’m not getting better, I suddenly get a second breath,” she says with a tone of gratitude over her words. “I went through several phases: denial, anger, pain, frustration, anger again, pain again.” Now I’m in a survival phase. Just get your head above water. And it is a period of reflection. And a period where I work very hard and when I have time with my children, I really spend it with them.”
Since announcing their split in June 2022, Shakira has had a string of six hits, all aimed at Piqué, 36; The former Spanish footballer, who retired last year, is pictured in June 2023
The way we were: The former couple, who split in 2022 after eleven years together, share two young sons, Milán, 10, and Sasha, eight
Before her recent streak, Shakira’s last number one on the Hot Latin Songs chart was Chantaje with Maluma in 2016.
Her fall from the top of the charts over the last decade or so sounded more like a decision made by a woman who was proud to put her family and her life in Barcelona first.
“My priority was my home, my family.” I believed in “Til Death Do Us Part.” “I believed in this dream, and I had this dream for myself, for my children,” the Barranquilla, Colombia native confessed in the interview.
She added: “My parents have been together for, I don’t know, 50 years and they love each other like they did on day one, with a love that is unique and unrepeatable. “So I know it’s possible. My mother won’t leave me [sick] paternal side. They’re still kissing on the mouth. And it has always been my role model. “This is what I wanted for myself and my children, but it didn’t happen.”
Despite the heartache and disappointment, the Try Everything star knew she had to move on for herself and her two children, Milán, 10, and Sasha, eight.
“When life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade,” she explained. “That’s what I do: make lemonade.”
Since May, when the Colombian star moved from Barcelona to Miami, she has been spending as much time as possible in the recording studio, working on new music for an upcoming new album and tour.
“I think songs like the Bizarrap session or the one I did with Karol have given a lot of women strength, self-empowerment, self-confidence and also the support to express and say what they have to say,” said the Columbia Star about her two current hits, which also allude to Piqué; She can be seen with her two boys at the recent MTV VMAs in mid-September
Moving on: Since moving to Miami in May, the pop superstar has been spending as much time as possible in the recording studio working on new music for a new album and subsequent tour; It can be seen in February 2020
It will be their twelfth studio album and first since the release of “El Dorado” in May 2017.
Inspired by her personal life and experiences, “El Dorado” primarily contains songs about the singer’s relationship with Piqué, which began after they met in 2011.
Now, it seems the focus is largely back on Piqué in terms of lyrics, only now it’s all about putting the heartache behind her and enjoying her new life in Miami with her kids.
“I think this will be the tour of a lifetime,” she said, as preparations for the global trip are still underway. ‘I’m very excited. Just think, I had my foot on the brake. Now I’m going to press the accelerator hard.’