Shakira, the Queen of Latin music, made a candid appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday (March 25), where she discussed her past relationship with soccer star Gerard Piqué and its impact on her music career.
The three-time Grammy winner, who was promoting her new album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran [Women No Longer Cry], revealed to the comedian that her ex was the reason behind the seven-year gap between her latest collection and 2017’s El Dorado.
Shakira shared that it was challenging for her to focus on producing a full album while in the relationship, attributing the delay to what she referred to as the “husband factor.” However, now that she is no longer with Piqué, Shakira expressed a sense of liberation, declaring, “Now I’m husband-less.
The husband was dragging me down. Now I’m free! Now I can actually work!” (Shakira and Piqué, who announced their split in 2022, were in a relationship for 11 years but were never married. They share two sons.)
In her interview, Shakira delved deeper into her personal journey of grieving and recovery. She described music as the glue that helped her rebuild herself, explaining how she transformed pain, anger, and frustration into creativity, productivity, and strength.
This alchemical process is reflected in the alternate covers of her new album, which are themed around precious stones. Shakira emphasized the resilience symbolized by diamonds, highlighting the strength that women possess when facing adversity.
The singer also addressed societal expectations imposed on women to conceal their pain and conform to predefined standards of healing, a concept she vehemently opposes. She explained the title of her new album, stating that it signifies a shift in societal norms, empowering women to decide when and how to express their emotions without judgment or interference.
During her appearance on The Tonight Show, Shakira performed “Puntería,” originally featuring Cardi B. Dressed in white baggy pants and a top adorned with ropes, Shakira began her performance seated. Against a backdrop of iridescent curtains and a pearlesque screen displaying a large diamond, she was accompanied by two female dancers.
As they rose to their feet, two more dancers joined in, all dressed in matching outfits, showcasing synchronized choreography to the electro-pop song.