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Acting Not On Shakira's 'Laundry' List Of Ambitions
(12/04/02, 7 a.m. ET)
Jennifer Lopez does it, so does Britney Spears, and now even Eminem. But leaping from music to acting isn't a concern
for Shakira.
The Columbian pop dynamo tells LAUNCH that even though she has some acting experience--she appeared in the Colombian
soap opera El Oasis from 1994 to 1997--she has no plans to return to the screen: "I think I would be a really bad actress,
to tell you the truth. I don't see myself doing that but, you know, you can never say, 'I won't drink from this water.' So,
you never know what happens in the future, but for now I don't visualize it. It's not in my plans."
Shakira will instead make a follow-up to her multiplatinum English-language debut, Laundry Service, after she wraps up
her Tour Of The Mongoose in 2003. The tour hits Europe this month, with dates in Barcelona, Spain, on December 10; Cologne,
Germany, on December 12; and London on December 16. She brings the Mongoose back to North America on January 18 in Chicago.
--Gary
Graff, Detroit
Shak attack
THIS is the sight that gave Newcastle Utd players a huge lift after their game in Spain was
cancelled due to rain.
SHAKIRA paraded in front of ALAN SHEARER and Co in her skimpy stage gear.
The players were in the lobby of their hotel on Tuesday night after their crucial European Championship clash with Barcelona
was postponed for 24 hours.
But the doom and gloom vanished when the Colombian sex bomb, who was staying in the same hotel, waltzed through the foyer
before heading for a show she was doing in the city.
An onlooker said: Jaws dropped around the whole reception area. The players were sitting around playing cards and stuff
and then Shakira came out of the lifts in her sexy outfit. They were well chuffed.
But veteran Magpies manager Bobby Robson didnt have a clue what all the fuss was about.
He said: We used to have SHAKA HISLOP on our books but Ive never heard of Shakira. Is she a singer?
Later Shakira dazzled a sell-out crowd at the citys Palau Sant Jordi venue with her first ever full gig on European soil.
The sound of applause isn't anything new to Shakira. She's been hearing it ever since she signed her first record deal
at age 13. But there was something different in the thunderous cheers and clattering of handclaps she was receiving the other
night.
As she has throughout the past year, the Colombian pop songstress was busy making headlines again as she swept the inaugural
"Video Music Awards Latin America" -- winning in all five categories she was nominated in, including Artist of the Year and
Best Pop Artist.
The accolades were especially meaningful this time around, though. She says there was no denying the strong bond she
felt with the mostly Latino audience that had gathered for the event that night.
"It was really very emotional when I went up to accept the last award," says Shakira from her management office in Miami.
"When I saw the audience on their feet, I really felt like their applause was full of love. It made me feel like I really
have a strong relationship with my Latin fans."
Shakira, 25, hasn't been doing too shabby with her ever-growing Anglo audience, either. Since last year's release of
her crossover album, "Laundry Service," Shakira has been getting plenty of applause by making guest appearances all over television.
It's been hard to miss the blond beauty in 2002.
Aside from appearing in Pepsi spots and being a regular staple on MTV's "Total Request Live," Shakira has been a featured
performer on the cable channel's "Music Video Awards" (where she was nominated four times) and the Latin Grammys (also picking
up an award there), and has shared the stage with the likes of Stevie Nicks, Celine Dion and Cher on "VH1 Divas Live."
"Laundry Service," which Shakira wrote and recorded almost entirely in English, has sold more than 3 million copies domestically
and 10 million worldwide. Sales have been riding high on the strength of the single "Whenever, Wherever," but more impressive
is that Shakira has done it without a single concert tour in the States -- until now.
For the first time in her 12-year career, Shakira will embark on a world tour that will take her to 50 cities in 30 countries,
which kicked off Nov. 8 at the San Diego Sports Arena.
At least half of the dates are in the States, including an appearance later this month at New York's Madison Square Garden,
as well as stops in such major cities as Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston and Miami. Her European dates include Barcelona, London
and Cologne.
Shakira is hoping to establish her superstar status among Anglo concertgoers.
Dubbed the "Tour of the Mongoose" because, Shakira says, "It's an animal that looks like a rat, but you know what? The
first time I ever heard about a mongoose, I was really impressed because it is an animal that can defeat the snake with just
a bite."
"It's like a living miracle because if there's an animal on Earth that can defeat the snake with a bite, I think there's
got to be some way for us to defeat, or to bite, the neck of hatred in this world, no?"
Whether her tour can achieve that remains to be seen, but Shakira says her fans will, at the very least, experience an
entertaining rock show, regardless of which language she sings in.
"I think music is a great tool," she says. "It has the power to make people come together no matter what language I'm
singing in. It's a show where there are no borders."
A HEART IN ROCK 'N' ROLL
Although Shakira's primarily categorized as a pop artist, this Colombian booty-shaker is really a rocker at heart. She
grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and the Cure, and was first hooked on the power of the electric guitar after
hearing the solo on Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence."
"I have a lot of devotion to those bands for accomplishing the dream of creating songs that transcend time," she says.
"Those amazing guitar riffs that stay in people's minds for generations is what, I think, we try to accomplish as musicians."
Shakira is confident she's captured a new vibe by working on her bilingual repertoire for the "Mongoose" tour. With a
well-rehearsed band in place and loosened reins on her electric guitarist, fans can expect to hear, and see -- her rock influence
come through, she says.
"This is the production of my dreams," Shakira says. "I have the same production crew that has worked with the Rolling
Stones and U2, the lighting designers of Paul McCartney and Nine Inch Nails, and a band that sounds amazing. They're really
smokin'. I can't wait to take this show to my people in Latin America because they've never seen me do a show of this level."
Typical of Shakira, her countrymen are never far from her thoughts. Although she has lived in Miami for the last decade,
she's never lost her connection to Colombia and often dedicates the awards to her homeland in her acceptance speeches. It's
no coincidence that her name is Arabic for "full of gratitude."
"I feel like it's my responsibility to serve as an ambassador for Colombia," she says. "I don't take my accomplishments
personally. I take them as being good news for my people, so they can celebrate with me."
SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL
Shakira grew up as Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll in Barranquilla, a port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast, where she
got her first taste of performing after her father, of Lebanese descent, took her to a local Middle Eastern restaurant. The
sound of the doumbek, a traditional Arabic drum, sparked a natural instinct to move her hips and shake her belly, a move she
uses to great effect in her live shows.
Belly dancing and singing at talent shows eventually led Shakira to form a singing and dancing troupe that performed
locally. She got her real break in music, though, at 13, when she heard that an executive for Sony Discos, the label's Latin
division, was in town. She arranged to be at his hotel and surprised him with an impromptu performance in the lobby. A week
later, she was signed to a three-record deal. Her first two releases, "Magia" ("Magic") and "Peligro" ("Danger"), didn't fare
well in Colombia, until Shakira recorded her first rock-influenced album, "Pies Descalzos" ("Bare Feet"). The 1996 release
went on to sell 4 million copies and establish Shakira as a superstar in Latin America.
Here in the States, "Pies Descalzos" went platinum, but the awards started pouring in after Shakira picked up her first
Grammy in the Best Latin Pop category for her 2000 release, "Shakira, MTV Unplugged."
With no previous tour to push "Laundry Service," there's no doubt Shakira's regular TV appearances throughout 2002 have
helped create the wave of U.S. success she's riding on. And, of course, having the right people around her helps, too. Shakira
collaborated with Gloria Estefan's husband and producer, Emilio Estefan, to produce "Laundry Service" and her 1998 effort,
"Donde Estan Los Ladrones?" ("Where Are the Thieves?"), which went platinum in the United States. Her manager, Freddy DeMann,
is also responsible for launching the careers of Madonna and Alanis Morissette.
MAKING MIRACLES
Still, Shakira marvels at how her world has changed in the span of just one year. Regardless of who helped her get to
where she is, Shakira says ultimately the magic really lies in what she records on tape.
"Music makes miracles. Like the miraculous story of the Colombian girl who grew up in Barranquilla, who tasted peanut
butter for the first time just a couple of years ago and now has reached her dream," says Shakira, speaking about herself.
But after 12 years in the business, Shakira knows she didn't cultivate the love her Latino fans have so generously given
her overnight. She's well aware that the U.S. concert stage is where she needs to be if she wants to feel the same level of
adoration from a new audience outside of Latin America. And she's ready to win them over, one concert and one hip shake at
a time.
"I feel connected to my Anglo fans," she says. "Right now, the relationship with them is like a friendship, but I think
that will eventually grow deeper. That's only possible through the live shows."
The Sun reports Shakira wanted to sample the London life by riding a double-decker bus but abandoned the
plan after it never showed up in the freezing cold on Saturday morning. "Shakira and her bouncer waited patiently but the
bus never showed," an onlooker revealed. Instead, she called her limo.
Jeannette Walls of MSNBC reports that The Sun's story on Shakira being afraid to return to her hometown
in Columbia because of death threats are "completely untrue," according to her spokeswoman.
News
24/7: DADDY'S GIRL SHAKIRA
THERE must be something about Latin
beauties which Puff Daddy finds
irresistible. After loving and losing Jennifer Lopez, he's set his
sights firmly on
Colombian export Shakira (right).
The lucky lady was the recipient of his undivided attention at a bash
to celebrate
the first New York date of her tour. One partygoer at
club Suede said: "He spotted Shakira as soon as she walked in and
made a bee-line for her.
"They sat down at a private table together and started what looked
like a really deep
conversation. They were there for more than an
hour and their bodyguards kept everyone else away." Poor Antonio De
La
Rua, Shakira's long-term boyfriend, was forced to sit on the
sidelines and watch while Puffy tried to work his magic.
Luckily, it
didn't seem to work. My source added: "Puffy was really turning on
the charm, but it just didn't do the
trick.
"Shakira did seem to be enjoying the conversation but made it clear
she had a boyfriend. Still, he wasn't
too put off. He told his
friends he'd try and get to her London concert on December 16."
Other guests at the Suede
bash included rapper Eve and socialite
Ivana Trump. But bodyguards at the club failed to recognise N'Sync
singer Joey
Fatone and tried to stop him at the door. After several
minutes of intense negotiation he was let in.
Shakira tells Launch.com that her family has helped her stay grounded
even as she continues to garner worldwide fame.
"I've been very
fortunate to have a family around me all these years--people who love me for what I am," she said. "People
who know where I come from,
where I'm going to, what my goals are. They have definitely been a
very positive influence
in my life to assimilate the subtleties and
the nuances of fame and popularity and all that."
Shakira has made remarks about Coldplay frontman Chris
Martin that should put Gwyneth Paltrow, if not fiance
Antonio
de la Rua, on alert. "I love Coldplay. I dont
know if I should say this but the singer has some
sweetness," she said.
"Women feel hes not going to
harm them, he might even be considered attractive."
Entertainment Tonight caught up with *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Love Hewitt who both
arrived solo to the Latin Grammy Awards last night. "I'm just here to see Shakira," Timberlake said. "She's just so hot, hot,
hot. And it just so happens she's hot." Love Hewitt said, "I have no fine companion tonight. Maybe I'll find one. Maybe he'll
be Latin, you never know." Asked to respond to Timberlake's "hot" remarks, Shakira said, "Well, thank you very much."
Colombian Confusion
August 13,2002
Shakira can't understand why the American and British press compare her to Britney Spears. The singer
says she is not subject to such comparisons in her native Colombia.
She says, "My Latin people understand me little by little with each album. They don't compare me to
Britney, you know.
"They'd be like, 'What? Britney?' Nothing wrong with Britney, she's a great artist and very beautiful,
but I was pretty surprised to be compared to her in America and Britain."
"But I think that's because there isn't a full understanding of my musical proposal here. That's just
a matter of time though."
Shakira's cooking Hobby
September 6,2002
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Singer Shakira has taken up learning how to cook Arabic
food because it's a tradition that runs in her family.
The Colombian pop star has been taught by her aunt,
and says her first dinner party was a great success.
She says, "I've recently learned how to cook Arabic
food. It's great food and I don't want the tradition to get lost in my family."
"My aunt cooks Lebanese food so I called her and she
gave me all the recipes over the phone."
"I ended up doing a meal for six peoples which was really
successful!" |
Shakira spoke with People magazine about her
new doll that's hittin stores early next year. "I think that it is cuter than me," Shakira said. "I never had really had...
an ambition to have a doll, but the people from Mattel just approached me and they wanted it so bad. They say that the little
girls had been requesting it, that they wanted a Shakira doll. And I said, 'Well, why not?' I thought it would be fun to see
me in miniature."
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SHAKIRA DOLL WILL SHAKE UP BUSINESS FOR MATTEL
Tue Nov 5, 4:25 AM ET |
By LISA MARSH
You'll soon be able to own Latin singing sensation Shakira
- or at least a smaller plastic replica of the pop princess.
The international pop tart has signed a license with Mattel to create a collection of fashion dolls
and accessories, according to her licensing agent, Signatures Network.
The songbird is joining ranks with pop stars Aaron Carter Britney Spears , Christina Aguilera, Eminem
*NSYNC, Kid Rock, Mandy Moore, Vitamin C and Sisqo - all of whom have action figures in their likenesses.
"Every star has its day," said Joyceann Cooney, editor-in-chief of License! magazine. "Shakira's obviously
a trend-setter and kids love trend-setters."
The 25-year-old singer, who is Colombian by birth and of Colombian and Lebanese descent, is truly an
international star.
She speaks three languages - Spanish, Arabic and English - allowing her to communicate with much of
the world; her music is popular throughout North and South America, Europe and parts of the Middle East.
Shakira is probably best known, though, for her signature, spicy hip-shaking, belly-dancing moves,
which she breaks out at every performance.
The one-named songstress has been capitalizing on the recent success of her crossover album, "Laundry
Service."
Shakira recently signed a deal to appear in advertisements for Reebok's "Sounds & Rhythm of Sport"
campaign. The athletic footwear and apparel company will also sponsor her current tour.
"You must strike while it's hot, and this is a smart strike," said License! magazine's Cooney of the
doll deal. "Girls like dolls and like them even more when they are in the form of a pop star like Shakira."
Products licensed from the entertainment industry, like the Shakira doll, generated
annual retail sales of $18 billion worldwide in 2001. |
Shakira won ARTIST OF THE YEAR,VIDEO
OF THE YEAR,BEST ARTIST NORTH, BEST POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR and BEST FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR at the 1st annual mtv video
music awards latin america
+Shakira won Album of the Year & Outstanding Female at this years alma
+Extra TV asked Shakira if she knows why America has fallen so in love with her. She says, "Because
I fell in love with America a long time ago." As for how she describe her shake, Shakira says, "Nobody taught me how to do
it. I guess it's in my DNA, in my blood."
Shakira On Britney Spears: 'She's A Doll'
Fri Jun 21, 2:57 PM ET (6/21/02, 3 p.m. ET)
-- Contrary to persistent rumors of a feud between her and Britney Spears, Columbian singer Shakira continues to reassure
fans that there is nothing but healthy competition between the two stars. "There's enough space for everybody, and she's really
great at what she does," Shakira says. "And I think I'm an expert at what I do, too, so as long as, you know, there's people
around always making good music and bringing it to people's hearts, I think it's all worth it." Shakira and Spears have met
in the past. "I love her--she's a doll! I met her and she's really sweet, so I wish her the best," Shakira adds. Shakira spent
a couple of days in Canada earlier this week, and she did not leave empty handed. She won two 2002 MuchMusic Video Awards
on Sunday (June 16): best international video and people's choice for favorite international artist. Shakira's debut English-language
album, Laundry Service, has been certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association Of America ( news - web sites),
and it sits at Number 21 on the Billboard 200 this week, down eight spots from last week. -- Mark Bergman, Montreal, Canada
Star magazine quotes Shakira telling
a friend why she stays out of the California surf. "I like the beach, but I'm very scared of sharks lately," she said. "I've
been watching too much of the Discovery Channel."
In Entertainment Weekly's new It List issue, Backstreet
Boys star AJ McLean was asked who was on his it list. "Shakira," he said. "Just because she's Latin and so adorable. I like
her whole style."
Shakira tells WENN that she refuses to surround
herself with stylists who would control the way she looks. "I learned to say, 'I'm an expert too. I know myself better than
anybody,'" she said. "I know what works for me because I've made mistakes, and I know what path I should follow and which
one I shouldn't." Hmmm... that might explain the bleach blonde's five inches of dark roots.
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