Amidst Separation From Ex, Shakira Believes That Happiness Is a Luxury
Shakira recently shared how she is handling her separation from ex Gerard Pique. The performer announced that she was splitting up with her partner of 11 years due to cheating allegations in September 2022. Since then, the journey for the mother-of-two has been anything but easy.
The 46-year-old candidly revealed her current frame of mind by saying that she isn’t happy at the moment.
While talking to Billboard about her life after the separation, the Columbian singer revealed that she is doing her best to manage her music career while raising her two children.
Reflecting on her current condition, she 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.”
Despite her failed relationship, Shakira has a reason to be happy because her music career is skyrocketing. The “Hips Don’t Lie” hitmaker was recently bestowed the Video Vanguard Award during the MTV VMAs. The recognition makes her the first South American artist to receive such an honor. She was also nominated across major categories in the upcoming Latin Grammy Awards.
According to the Barranquilla-born singer, she has channeled the pain of her breakup with Gerard in her music. Shakira’s most notable recent work includes “Bzrp Music Sessions, Volume 53” and “Monotonía” which are about heartbreak and betrayal. Many speculate that they are heavily based on her experiences regarding Gerard’s infidelity. Gerard is already in a relationship with the 26-year-old Clara Chia Marti.
Shakira admits, “Nothing can compensate for the pain of destroying a family.”
But the star continues to draw strength from her children. She claims that they are her greatest motivation to keep moving forward. Shakira says that her “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.”
It appears that Shakira’s method of using her music to exorcise her demons is working. Looking at the last 12 months since her split, six of her songs made it to the music charts. These songs have become Shakira’s outlet for expressing her strong emotions. They express a range of feelings from rage to sorrow. Her fans are hoping that in the future, her new songs will be powerful tracks about healing.
Many who have listened to Shakira’s music this year can feel the shift in her music as she also highlighted women’s empowerment in her lyrics.
While working on “Bzrp Music Sessions, Volume 53,” many have questioned Shakira’s decision to be so open about her failed relationship with the ex-football star. The performer revealed that people from her team asked her to reconsider and change the lyrics. But Shakira remained steadfast and reasoned, “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 further justified, “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.”
