Shakira’s hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia, unveiled a towering bronze statue of the international music superstar. This impressive monument stands 21.3 feet tall (6.5 meters) and captures Shakira in one of her iconic poses, with her hips swaying and arms raised to the sky.
In a dazzling celebration of hometown pride, Barranquilla, Colombia, unveiled a colossal bronze statue of their beloved global sensation, Shakira. The 6.5-meter tribute captures the singer’s iconic hip-swinging pose, symbolizing her rhythmic and dynamic spirit.
Shakira proudly shared snapshots of the moment with her 90.3 million Instagram followers. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude, confessing that the dedication was “too much for my little heart.”
The statue, crafted by artist Yino Marquez with the collaborative effort of students and graduates from the District School of Arts, stands tall in the vibrant port city along the Caribbean Sea.
The captivating images posted by Shakira showcased her family visiting the statue, underscoring the deep roots she maintains in Barranquilla. An inscription in Spanish, praising the star’s extraordinary talents. It describes her birthdate, February 2, 1977, as the day the city was “born to the world.”
The inscription further lauds Shakira’s “heart that composes,” “unmatched talent,” “voice that moves masses,” and cheekily acknowledges her “hips that do not lie,” a playful nod to one of her chart-topping hits.
The grand unveiling was graced by the presence of Barranquilla’s mayor, Jaime Pumarejo Heins. He added a touch of local government support to the celebration.
A Roller-coaster Year For The Star
Shakira, recently crowned as the most googled musician of 2023, has had a rollercoaster of a year. Earlier in December, the tech giant revealed this accolade. But just a month prior, she found herself in a Spanish courtroom dealing with a tax fraud trial.
Opting to settle the matter swiftly, Shakira agreed to pay a fine of €7 million (£6.1 million) and received a suspended three-year sentence. According to her, the decision was with the best interest of her children in mind. She ensured they wouldn’t witness their mother sacrificing her well-being in a prolonged legal battle.
Despite the legal turmoil, Shakira emerged victorious at the Latin Grammys, clinching three awards. The star, who shares two sons with ex-partner Gerard Pique, remains a force to be reckoned with in both the musical and personal spheres of her life.
Now the bronze statue now stands tall in Barranquilla. It serves as a lasting symbol of the city’s pride in its homegrown talent, the one and only Shakira.
