Shakira dances like few others, sings and entertains her millions of fans around the world. But, in addition, she seeks to raise awareness, commits to social causes and whenever she can, uses her voice to say much more than what is expected of her. And, as if all this were not enough, the superstar and mother of Sasha and Milan has a successful line of fragrances. “My perfumes are generally in line with my musical moments. Dance Midnight explains my connection with music from my beginnings, which was through dance. Before discovering my own voice and my ability to compose, I discovered dance, which is something much more primary and less intellectual,” she says from Barcelona.

Interview Shakira
The artist has musical plans for the next two years.
-When you were first offered to launch a fragrance, did it seem crazy or a great idea?
-It seemed like a project that made sense to me because I have always been a very olfactory person. I am like a rodent, I can smell from great distances (laughs). I always liked fragrances, but I couldn’t find one that I identified with. So when I was given the opportunity to play and create my own perfume it was wonderful.

-How are you experiencing this time of pandemic?
-This is a situation of seismic changes, internal and external. Each one experienced it in a very personal way. Adapting was essential to live with reality. In this process we learned to reorganize priorities, to value those around us and miss those who are not close to us.

Interview Shakira

-Does it generate fear or anxiety?
-I have a certain optimism because I think and hope that the vaccine will soon arrive. And I pray that the millions of people who need it can have it.

-Since you started until today the world of music has changed a lot, how do you deal with reinvention?
-Music was the vehicle through which I discovered myself as a person and as an artist. Times change and so does my music. I don’t want to repeat myself and I don’t believe in predetermined formulas… I’ve been as free as I could be. I made mistakes, I failed and I learned from them and I always tried to be better, although I didn’t always succeed (laughs).

-Where do you get that drive and optimism that characterizes you?
-I’m not always so optimistic. I’m a strange mix of a positive and negative woman (laughs and thinks). In the end I think there’s a little voice that tells me that things are going to work out. I suffer a lot, sometimes I think I have to suffer to get what I want. Without a doubt, it’s a bit of the Catholic guilt I grew up with.

-How do you experience from your perspective what happened in the whole world and especially in Latin America with the feminist movements?
-(Thinks). It’s interesting when I talk about the subject with my oldest son, who is 9 years old, who is very interested in history. That’s where he came from! She always wants to know what happened in the past, she is interested in Francoism, politics, she asks me what democracy is… When we talk about all the stages in the history of the West when women did not have the same rights as men, her eyes pop out, she can’t believe it. It’s curious to see it through the eyes of a child, especially one who lives in the First World. I think that women today have a place in vital society, but there is still a lot to do, especially in various places around the world.

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Interview Shakira

-Would you define yourself as a feminist?
-Yes, I consider myself a feminist. I care a lot about girls enjoying the same opportunities and education as boys, because inequality starts very early, especially in some parts of the world where many girls do not attend school and then it is very difficult for them to overcome these inequalities to take control of their lives. It is incredible that in 2020 we are still fighting for half of the population to enjoy the same rights. We have to progress much faster.

-You recently wrote an article for Time magazine about the cruelty of the United States immigration policies, which in recent years have separated more than 2,500 families at the borders and led to 545 children still not being able to be with their parents. Why did you do that?
-I wanted to use my voice. I think it is an unfair and absolutely terrible situation. It is unbelievable that this would happen today in this century and in a nation that is known as the country of freedom. I am relieved to know that at least the United States is now in the hands of a more civil and compassionate person, more decent and who at least cares about climate change and has experience in the matter.

She has many challenges ahead and I hope she can fulfill the responsibility that has been entrusted to her… Returning to the children, I feel that they have to find their parents and I hope that with Biden’s administration they will not be forgotten.

-What other issues are you currently concerned about?
-The environment is one of my great concerns. I have become involved in that issue apart from my work for education, because it is urgent, even my children ask me about it and I realize that this generation will be the one that decides the future of this planet. That is why I joined a campaign with Prince William of England to find innovative solutions to the challenges of climate change by 2030 and to educate today’s youth because this will be one of the most important challenges for them.

-And what are your greatest challenges today?
-Right now my greatest challenge is to maintain the balance between being a mother, my career and the different projects that I have underway for next year and the following year. This year I have learned to stop and take things in a different way. I think it has helped me to give importance to things that really matter.

-What are those plans?
-I am in the process of creating music and I hope to start sharing it during 2021. Writing is a cathartic process for me, and I think it will be a good time to express myself after this long year of reflection.