Everyone knows her hips do not lie, but not everyone knows the ethnicity of Shakira.
If you think because she is a Latin singer and dancer, her ethnicity is straightforward and not surprising, you are far from the truth. Shakira is a unique blend of not only ethnic groups but also continents.
Find out the ethnicity and background of Latin pop singer Shakira and what she is most known for.
Who is Shakira?
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a singer, songwriter, and dancer. She was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Shakira started her music career at a young age, releasing her first album when she was just 13 years old.
She has become one of the most successful Latin American artists of all time, with a career spanning over three decades.
Her music style incorporates elements of Latin, rock, pop, and world music. Also, she is known for her distinctive voice and energetic dance performances.
What ethnicity is Shakira?
Shakira is of Colombian and Lebanese descent. Therefore, she is of mixed heritage.
Her father is of Lebanese heritage, while her mother is Colombian of Spanish and Italian ancestry.
Shakira has often celebrated her multicultural background and has incorporated elements of her heritage into her music and performances. She grew up in Colombia, surrounded by Latin culture and music, and often went to Lebanon with her father for vacation.
She learned belly dancing at a young age because she loved performing. Also, she has added Arabic pop to some of her songs, like “Ojos Así.”
Shakira also adds Lebanon and some other Middle Eastern countries when going on tour. She has performed in her paternal grandmother’s hometown Tannourine, Lebanon.
What is Shakira known for?
1. Successful music career
Shakira is known for her successful career as a singer, songwriter, and dancer. She is one of the most successful Latin American artists of all time, with a career spanning over three decades.
Shakira’s distinctive soprano/alto voice and energetic dance routines make her performances a treat to watch. Her voice also helps to make the blend between music genres seamless- she blends Latin, rock, pop, and Arab pop.
She has released several hit albums and singles, including English songs “Whenever, Wherever,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” and “La Tortura.” Her songs become natural anthem songs, earning her numerous airplay worldwide.
2. Philanthropy
In addition to her music career, Shakira is also known for her philanthropic work.
She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has been involved in several humanitarian projects, including creating the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which provides education and nutrition to children in Colombia.
She has also worked on projects focused on early childhood development, disaster relief, and global education.
Shakira has also worked as an advocate for environmental causes. She has been involved in initiatives to protect endangered species and promote sustainability.
Shakira’s dedication to using her platform for positive change has earned her numerous awards and honors, including the United Nations’ Humanitarian Award.
3. Polyglot
Shakira is also known to speak several languages. She speaks her native language Spanish, English, and Portuguese proficiently.
She can speak her father’s native language Arabic, Catalan, Italian, and French. However, she only knows how to use them in simple conversations while understanding the languages.
4. Her beauty and personality
Shakira is also one of the industry’s most beautiful artists; she doesn’t seem to age. She has an infectious smile and an affable personality. She is also down to earth, making her one of the most relatable musicians.
FAQs
What is the nationality of Shakira?
Colombian. While Shakira is known worldwide, she still maintains her Colombian nationality.
Is Shakira Latina?
Yes, she is. She was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, which is in South America. While she is of Colombian and Lebanese descent, she is mostly considered a Latina.
As a Latina, she has often expressed pride in her heritage and has incorporated Latin and Arabic rhythms into her music.
Is Shakira Hispanic?
Yes, she is. Hispanic is a word that generally refers to people who come from or have ancestors from Spanish-speaking countries. Shakira is from Colombia, a Spanish-speaking country in South America. Therefore, you can consider her Hispanic and Latina.
Conclusion
As one of the most beautiful and talented women in the world, people would think Shakira is a full Latina. However, Shakira has a mixed heritage. She is Colombian-Lebanese.
Some may have guessed the Middle Eastern heritage of the singer-songer because of her incredible belly dancing skills and Arabic music influencing her sound. However, Shakira has always been open about her multiple heritage influencing her music.
Additionally, Shakira is most-known for her beautiful voice, philanthropy, and being a polyglot that can speak several languages.
There are many reasons why people consider Shakira an A-list celebrity. You can read about them to find out.
Thanks for reading.