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

Shakira and Alejandro Sanz have always denied the rumors of a romantic relationship between them, and the speculations about Shakira and Alejandro being more than just friends are not new. Now the press is saying that “there are new indications that Alejandro and Shakira have lied about their relationship“.

According to Peru21.com, a source from the Pop Art magazine said that, in fact, there was something going on between them, although the informer made it very clear that Shakira never cheated on her fiance, Antonio de la Rúa.

According to the magazine, the short affair between Shakira and Alejandro Sanz occurred during the rumored (and never confirmed) break up of Shakira and Antonio. At that time, Shakira and Alejandro were working together again, on the making of the video “Te lo agradezco, pero no”.

As you can see in the video, there is a very good “chemistry” between them. Alejandro Sanz said about that:

“There is chemistry, nothing more. If people talk it’s because we managed to transmit that chemistry. Shakira is like a sister to me, a sister who I adore and admire”, he explained.

Like a sister, hu? Well, I don’t know if they have been together or not, but it doesn’t sound very hard to believe, does it? Watch “Te lo agradezco, pero no” video clip and draw your own conclusions:

Source (in Spanish)

Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Antonio de la Rúa, Together, Couple, Rumors, Gossip, Video, Photo

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

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

“Santiago. Buenas noches, gracias por venir. Esta noche vamos a hacer el viajecito, súbanse con nosotros. lo vamos a pasar bien” (Santiago. Good night, thank you for coming. Tonight we’re going to make a little trip, come on up, we’re going to have a good time), said Alejandro Sanz to an excited public.

The concert was a huge success, but the highest point of the night was Shakira’s entrance, dressed in a very, very small red spangled dress. I didn’t like the dress at all, it made Shakira’s legs look chunky; and it didn’t had the “Shakira style”, if you know what I mean. I really don’t understand why did she choose that outfit, but what do I know.

Anyway, the crowd went crazy when she stepped into the stage, to perform “Te lo agradezco, pero no“, near the end of the concert. During the song, Sanz kissed Shakira in the cheek, and everybody screamed and applauded. Many fans are still wondering what he could have said to her at that moment. And everybody is still complaining because Shakira only performed one song.

It’s been said that Shakira will be in the “El Tren de Los Momentos” tour, but I’m not so sure. I know Shakira and Alejandro are friend and all, but it seems a little too much, to go on a tour that will be on 23 cities and will last almost two months, to perform just one song. Maybe it’s just marketing… we’ll see.

So, I guess right know you would like to see Shakira and Alejandro, the kiss, the dress… Wouldn’t you? Well, here it is. It’s a video made by someone who went to the concert, so the quality is not really good. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best video of Shakira and Alejandro in Santiago de Compostela I could find in Youtube; and I think this one is pretty interesting anyway. Enjoy!

Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Santiago de Compostela, El Tren de los Momentos, Concert, Show, Te Lo Agradezco Pero No, Duet, Tour, Video, Photo

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

This is one of the most beautiful performances of “Ojos Así” I’ve ever seen. I just love the red outfit, and the fire definitely gives it a wild touch. I hope you like it as much as do. Enjoy!

Shakira, Video, Ojos Así, Performance, Fire, Live, Latin Grammys

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

Shakira Vacationing in Greece - Hello Magazine (Greek)
(click on the thumbnails to see the photos)

You can find these photos in a bigger size at Shakira Media Gallery

Shakira, Photos, Vacation, Greece, Hello, Magazine, Images, Pics