Shakira

Shakira has spent a successful weekend in Moscow, where she supposedly cashed 3 million dollars for two private shows, booked by Russian millionaires.

Shakira charged 2 million dollars to perform her famous belly dance and 7 songs, at a Russian industrialist's wedding, informed the Russian newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda".

In addition, the Colombian singer performed in a private party at the "Opera" club, in the birthday party of a businessman named Maxim. As birthday present, Shakira gave him a guitar and her autograph, according to the newspaper.

For her performance at the birthday party she requested another million dollars, also according to the newspaper; which adds that Shakira prohibited photos and videos.

Shakira visited Moscow accompanied by her fiance, Antonio de la Rúa, son of ex- Argentine president Fernando de la Rúa (1999-2001), and according to "Komsomolskaya Pravda" they almost didn't leave the hotel room.

The interpreter of "Hips don't lie" left the Russian capital with a promise of returning in the next months.

Shakira, Moscow, gossip, Private show, Russia

She doesn’t shake her hips like Shakira, her famous cousin. But Maria Isabel Mebarak, a.k.a. Isa Mebarak, is trying to follow Shakira’s steps.

Isa has the best godmother she could have asked for; who wouldn’t like to have Shakira’s support for their artistic career? I can’t think of a better jump start, specially in Colombia.

Besides their love for music and for Barranquilla, the two Colombian girls share the same last name… and the same middle name. Isabel was their grandmother, and in her honor almost all of the Mebarak girls are named after her: Lucila Isabel, Maria Isabel, Patricia Isabel, Shakira Isabel… It’s a little funny, but I think it’s sweet, too.

Jairo Martinez, friend of the family and Shakira’s ex-PR, says that he recently saw both cousins eating together at Shakira’s home.

“Is there jealousy? No, not at all. Quite the opposite. Shakira is supporting Isa a lot”, Martinez declared.

At the moment, like her famous cousin, Isa Mebarak is starting her career in Colombia. In her web site - www.isamebarak.com - you can listen to her first single, “Me Llevo Mi Amor” (I take my love with me), a pop ballad that the artist describes as “a mix of Flamenco and Brazilian music”.

The song is nice, and she has a beautiful voice - although not as powerful as Shakira’s. But, Isa seems to be much younger than Shakira, as you can see in the photo. So, let’s wait and see if she has what it takes to be a big star like Shakira.

Source (In Spanish)

Shakira, Isa Mebarak, Maria Isabel Mebarak, cousin, Shakira’s cousin, first single, Me Llevo Mi Amor, news

Jahir Castillo, a 13 year old boy from Barranquilla (Colombia), is happy with the new school that Fundación Pies Descalzos (Shakira’s Foundation) began to build on Tuesday, in a poor neighborhood of Barranquilla. For him, the new school means he will no longer have to walk a long distance to go to school, and that his pants won’t be filled with mud.

“We won’t have to go so far to get to the school, over there, because of the bus station. It will be closer, because when we get out our pants get dirty with mud, because the floor is flooded whenever it rains, so, with the (new) school we are going to arrive clean”, said Jahir.

The third Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Feet) school, which first stone was placed on Tuesday by the Foundation (and the sixth in which the Foundation is involved in some degree) is located in a marginal zone with a high percentage of population displaced by violence, and it will receive 5.000 children since 2008.

The land yielded for the school by Barranquilla’s government (Shakira’s birthplace) cost about U$S 430.000; the school building will cost 1,5 million dollars. An extra U$S 439.000 will be required for the school’s equipment - furniture, books, school supplies, etc.

The innovative design, donated by the famous Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly, includes classrooms, a public library (which will resemble a light house because of its height), computing, music and dance rooms, along with sports and recreational fields. Unlike the other schools of the Foundation, this one will be focused on culture.

The first Pies Descalzos school opened its doors in 2003 in Quibdó, capital of the western department of Chocó, in the Colombian pacific coast. Two other schools are in Barranquilla and the last two in Bogota, the Colombian capital. All of them are located in poor neighborhoods.

Source (In Spanish)

Shakira, Fundación, Pies Descalzos, Foundation, School, Charity, Social Work, News, Colombia, Barranquilla

Shakira will be the only Latin artist at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. “Beautiful Liar”, the video of Shakira and Beyonce’s duet, got four nominations: Best Choreography, Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration, Best Director and Best Editing.

What I don’t understand is why didn’t Shakira get any nominations on her own.

Beyonce got other three nominations: Best Female Artist of the Year, Quadruple Threat Of The Year and Best Video of the Year with Irreplaceable, becoming the most nominated singer, along with Justin Timberlake.

The 2007 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony, which includes a total of nine categories, will be broadcasted live from the Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas, on September 9 - 9PM ET.

Full List of 2007 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees

In case you were on Mars on the last few months, here’s the video:

Beautiful Liar - Shakira and Beyonce

Shakira, Beyonce, Beautiful Liar, 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, Nominees, Justin Timberlake, Irreplaceable, Video

A book about Shakira’s life, written by her father, with a prologue by Colombian Nobel Prize Winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez, will be released next year.

William Mebarak himself informed during an interview to a radio show in Miami (Clásica 92.3 FM) that he’s planning to finish the book at the beginning of 2008. He said:

“Through the book I want to show to the world, to the reader, Shakira’s example. Shakira has been an example of achiever. I wish there were more boys and girls out there achieving success”.

Shakira’s father also gave details about the upcoming book: “The book doesn’t have a title yet, but Gabriel Garcia Marquez will give me the honor of writing the prologue. The book begins like this: “In these pages I intend to contribute to perpetuate your image.”

In the interview, the Mebarak - William and Nidia - made intimate revelations about their daughter, but with the affection that only a father and a mother can show. Among the confessions, the Mebarak said that the relation between Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa is in great shape, and that they worry because she works 16 hours a day.

At first, it was said that it was unlikely that Shakira’s parents would agree to give this interview, since Javier Ceriani, the host of the show, is very controversial. Even so, William and Nidia decided to grant the interview. Before they went to the radio station, some friends expressed concerns about the questions that Ceriani could make.

“If he goes to far, I’ll stand up and leave”, said Doña Nidia, informing that they would go to the radio show no matter what.

In the end, everything was fine. Even Ceriani was delighted:

“The truth is that they were wonderful, and Doña Nidia gave me an advice; she said that although my style is controversial, I should not change it, because it’s what makes me unique”, he said at the end of the interview.

More info:

Read more about the interview with Shakira's parents (in Spanish)
See photos of the Interview
Listen to the Interview (in Spanish)

Shakira, Interview, Parents, William Mebarak, Nidia Mebarak, Book, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Antonio de la Rua, Confessions, Secrets, Radio, Javier Ceriani

Everybody is talking about the 10 Worst Spanish Songs, published by a digital magazine.

Shakira was number 8, with the Spanish version of Hips Don’t Lie.

I agree with most of the songs on the list, but I think this is BS, BIG TIME.

The magazine claims to have 3 million visitors. Would you please check the site - it’s in Spanish, but it doesn’t matter - and tell me if you think it looks like a website that would have 3 million visitors?

Their blog - where they asked readers to vote “to complement the poll where hundreds of readers voted by email an IM” - is hosted in blogspot, has one of the ugliest default layouts, and 30 posts in 2 years. Few comments. In fact, I think they just grabbed the songs mentioned in the 24 comments of that entry, and listed the 10 they hated the most.

Besides, the article where they supposedly published the list is nowhere to be found. And believe me, I’ve tried. I don’t know why all the Spanish press is repeating this ridiculous “news”. It’s all over the place, in MSN Latino, Terra, Univisión.

THIS IS BS!

Shakira, Fake News, Worst Songs, Spanish, Press, Gossip, Lie

A lot of blogs and websites are reporting the same news about Shakira:

Shakira Learns Lesson From Paul McCartney-Mills Bitter Divorce.

All the news say the same BS:

Argentine newspapers are reporting that the hip-shaking singer asked her fiance of six years, Antonio de la Rua, to sign a prenuptial agreement before they marry in September.

A source was quoted as saying, “When you’re very much in love, you have plenty of people giving you advice, and none of them wants to see what happened to Paul McCartney happen to her.”

This one is from the New York Post, but there are many more repeating the same lies.

First of all, Shakira and Antonio have already signed a pre-nup, a few years ago. So, it makes no sense to ask Antonio to sign another pre-nuptial agreement.

Second of all, Antonio de la Rúa’s father, the Argentinian ex-president Fernando de la Rúa, has denied the rumors about Shakira and Antonio getting married in September.

And last but not least, the quoted “source” - supposedly the Argentine newspapers - has never been disclosed. Some of the reports say that the source is the Argentinian newspaper Clarín; but I haven’t found ANYTHING about this in Clarín.com - nor in any other source in Spanish.

So, all of this is BS, plain and simple. I don’t know where these people get this lies from; I guess they just come up with “news” they think will catch the reader’s attention. It’s ridiculous to publish this things, without checking the sources.

They are even saying that Shakira is pregnant, and the pregnancy would be pushing Shakira and Antonio to rush to get married. Oh, please. Give me a break.

I always check my sources, which are mostly in Spanish. You’ll be amazed to see how long it takes to the true news, published in Spanish, to get into the English news sources. And, as you can see here, how much of what is published in English, is BS.

So, if you want to know what’s REALLY going on with Shakira, subscribe to my blog!

Shakira, Antonio de la Rua, Wedding, Pre-nup, Pregnancy, News, Gossip, Lies, Truth

Shakira will participate in “Songs of Mass Destruction”, the new album of Annie Lennox.

Shakira and another 22 famous female singers will join their voices in the single “Sing”. According to Billboard.com, the Colombian will be singing with artists like Madonna, Celine Dion, Dido, Bonnie Raitt, Pink, Sarah McLachlan, Faith Hill and Melissa Etheridge.

The song has been inspired by the 46664 campaign, launched by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to fight against AIDS.

46664 is the prisoner number granted to Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment. Nelson Mandela gave the number to Dave Stewart, Annie Lennox’s partner in Eurythmics, who recorded 46664 (Long Walk to Freedom) with Bono, the vocalist of U2, to contribute to the cause. Since the recording, the concerts for the Foundation began and Lennox came back to sing with Stewart and her old group.

The album’s first single, Dark Road, will be released on September 24. Previously, on August 15, Annie Lennox will make an special performance with the BBC Concert Orchestra at London’s Mermaid Theatre. I don’t know if she will be by herself, or joined by any of the artists mentioned above.

Shakira, Annie Lennox, Songs of Mass Destruction, New Album, Sing, Madonna, Celine Dion, Dido, Bonnie Raitt, Pink, Sarah McLachlan, Faith Hill, Melissa Etheridge, Eurythmics, U2, Bono, Nelson Mandela Foundation

A week ago, two of the most famous Colombians got together in Milan, Italy: Shakira and Fernando Botero, the famous Columbian Painter, known for his smooth, inflated/bloated shapes and people. Botero, as Shakira, has a very active social conscience - he has a Foundation, and has even donated a number of his valuable pieces for charity, twice.

So, Botero and Shakira are a very charitable duo, and they’ve come up with an original idea: the famous painter will be inspired by Shakira’s beauty and artistic career, to create a painting that will be sold - presumably for a big sum of money - with the purpose of raising money for their respective foundations.

It’s really nice that Shakira and Fernando Botero are joining efforts to benefit their social projects: the Pies Descalzos Foundation and the Botero Foundation.

I can’t wait to see the painting inspired by Shakira, painted by one of the greatest Colombian artists! Botero’s work is very interesting, as you can see in his version of the Mona Lisa:

Aren’t you at least curious to know how Shakira will look? I know I am!

Shakira made a quick stop in Milan, to meet with Fernando Botero before her presentation in “Live Earth Hamburg”, in Germany.

Source (Spanish)

Shakira, Fernando Botero, Painting, Charity, Foundation, Fundación Pies Descalzos

Shakira has said that she would take a break after the Oral Fixation tour was finished. But her commitment with the creation of a better world has already delayed her vacations: a new altruistic cause brought Shakira back to the stage.

Shakira played in Nigeria, participating on the ThisDay Music Festival. The Festival not only boost the Nigerian music scene, but also has a positive impact in other areas, such as tourism and economy. ThisDay also has helped to create a positive image for the country.

Nigeria is the last country in which Shakira has performed, after a whole year of international success. Now she’s headed to her well deserved vacations, but I won’t be surprised if she comes back for more charity work. Shakira has already announced a new campaign to raise $200 million (£100 million) for the fight against juvenile malnutrition and hunger in Latin America.

Shakira, This Day, Nigeria, Concert

Shakira has unveiled a new campaign to raise $200 million (£100 million) for the fight against juvenile malnutrition and hunger in Latin America.

The Colombian singer announced the initiative at an ALAS Foundation (Latin America in Solidarity Action) event at Panama’s Teatro Nacional earlier this month (Jul07).

Four concerts will be held in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and New York in 2007 in a bid to reach the sum - which will be pumped into joint initiatives with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Shakira says of the foundation, “ALAS came about because of a social emergency: 350 thousand children die each year due to avoidable causes, 40 million children work and live on the streets. We want an active Latin America, that doesn’t give up, united for our children.”

Source: PR Inside

Shakira, ALAS, foundation, campaign, UNICEF, Latin America, charity, concerts

Shakira will record a duet with the Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana, which will be part of Santana’s new album. The album will be a compilation of Santana’s “Greatest Hits”.

This compilation will contain three new songs, in addition to the the great hits: the duet with Shakira and the rapper Lil’ Wayne, a duet with Tina Turner (The Game of Love), and yet another duet with Nickelback’s vocalist, Chad Kroeguer.

Shakira and Santana had already worked together in the past; the guitarist plays the melody of Illegal, one of Shakira’s songs from the Oral Fixation Vol.2 album.

Watch the video: Shakira - Illegal - Oral Fixation Vol.2

Shakira, Carlos Santana, Duet, Illegal, Oral Fixation Vol.2, Video, Lil’ Wayne, Tina Turner, Nickelback, Chad Kroeguer, New Album, Gratest Hits

Here’s the rest of the Interview with Shakira! Sorry for the delay…

Q - A balance of you tour…

Shakira - This has been the more extensive tour of my career: an entire year playing an average of four times a week, we crossed five continents and we had great satisfactions, now I will take some months to recharge energies and to continue experimenting with new sounds and ideas.

Q – It’s already finished?

Shakira - I still have my last two concerts of the tour, in Turkey and Nigeria. After that I’m going to finish the music of one of the deepest histories of Literature, the movie version of Love in the Time of Cholera (El amor en los tiempos del cólera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez). It’s a huge challenge and a great feeling to add my own music to a piece of work that has so much music by itself.

Q - When will your next album be released?

Shakira - Right now I need to dedicate myself to be a person, to put the public figure aside for a few months and dedicate time to Antonio, my family, my dogs, to take care of the flowers in my garden, to read, to think, to create and even to study. I have plans to go to college, to study History. Later I will begin to record some ideas that I already have in mind for my next album. Even so, the creative process of an album is absolutely unpredictable, something like an empty canvas or a river with a changing course, which we never know where is going to end.

Q - We didn’t hear you last Thursday, when the entire country (Colombia) marched against the kidnappings and the violence… What is your message?

Shakira - What happens in my country, the case of the 11 deputies and the situation of the kidnapped, is a very great pain for all. But there are also symbols like professor Moncayo that show us that the colombian’s tenacity is not gone, nor it’s going to be when the time for demanding peace comes. Pies Descalzos, the Foundation, is my best message: let’s work so the children at risk in this country have better opportunities.

There a little more here (Source in Spanish): Shakira talks about her participation in Live Earth, peace and politics

Shakira, Interview, Oral Fixation tour, Politics, Colombia, Alas project, New Album, Love in the Time of Cholera, College

Photo Credit

Shakira Received a Bomb Threat

Shakira had to be evacuated from an airplane in Turkey, after the authorities received a bomb threat, which was false.

Shakira and her fiance Antonio de la Rúa had arrived at that country coming from Hamburg, Germany, where she participated in the Live Earth concert - which was a HUGE success, by the way.

After the scary episode, Shakira went to Antalaya, a beach in the Turkish Mediterranean coast, while the police discovered that there were no explosives on the plane.

The Turkish newspaper Daily Vatan informed that after leaving the plane, Shakira went on and performed at the Kurucesme Arena, in Istambul, one of the last scheduled shows of her world-wide tour Oral Fixation.

Once the Oral Fixation Tour is finished, Shakira will go to Hollywood, and begin the shooting of her first movie, her debut in the silver screen.

Shakira, Bomb threat, Turkey, Plane, Antalaya, Kurucesme Arena, Istambul, Scare, Hollywood, first movie, debut

This is a translation of an interview Shakira gave to El Tiempo, last Saturday. The interview is a bit long, so I’ll divide it in two parts.

Q - Do this type of concerts have some sort of practical consequence?

Shakira: Ufff. “Live Earth” is in the same line of other two humanitarian megaconcerts that took place during the last 20 years: “Live Aid”, which rose 100 million dollars to relieve hunger in Africa, and the “Live 8 concert”, which hapenned hardly two years ago. For “Live 8″, the idea wasn’t to rise money but to touch the hearts of the leaders of the most powerful countries of the West, and the effect was very good: after the concert, the Group of the 8 forgave the debt of almost 20 African countries that were asphyxiated.

Now, what we are looking for with “Live Earth” is to create planetary conscience: 2.000 million people are going to listen to this world-wide roar that shouts “let’s save the world”. And the profits will go to a foundation that fights against the climatic change, led by the US ex- vice-president Al Gore.

Q - Is it possible to generate initiatives similar to “Live Earth”, such as concerts for environmental and social problems, in Colombia?

Shakira: Of course. And we are doing it, emphasizing the children’s education, not only in Colombia but in all of Latin America. That’s why we created the project Alas (Wings) last year in Panama, with a great group of artists. The concerts will happen in the first trimester of 2008. Along with Juanes, I have stayed very close to this project. Sadly, the life of many children in Latin America doesn’t seem to be very different from those tragedies that happen in Africa.

Don’t miss more of this interview, tomorrow!

Source (Spanish): Shakira talks about her participation in Live Earth, peace and politics

Shakira, Live Earth, Live Earth Hamburg, Coverage, Concert, Show, Hamburg, Interview, Politics, Colombia, Alas project, Juanes