Colombian superstar Shakira was honoured on Tuesday with the unveiling of a 6.5-meter statue in her Caribbean hometown of Barranquilla.
With her hands clasped over her head and one hip protruding, the striking sculpture made of bronze and aluminium depicts the singer in a bikini top, bare midriff, and flowing skirt, enacting one of her signature dance moves.
“Hips that do not lie, a unique talent, a voice that moves masses,” is written at the base of the sculpture, alluding to one of Shakira’s hit songs, “Hips Don’t Lie.”
“It’s great, and I think it’s important to highlight the people from cities like Barranquilla and give more importance to those who go out of the country to represent Colombia,” added Milena Garzon, a tourist from Bogotá.
The unveiling ceremony was held on the Magdalena River banks, where Nidia Ripoll and William Mebarak, Shakira’s parents, were present. The singer thanked sculptor Yino Marquez and his art student collaborators during the event on the X platform, citing it as an example of her fellow countrymen’s extraordinary artistic talent.
With three Grammy Awards and over 80 million albums sold globally, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a global icon of Latina girl power.
Her legal issues, which include an investigation into unpaid taxes in Spain and the settlement of millions of euros, have come to light despite her musical success.
