Huge 'Hips Don't Lie' Shakira statue unveiled in singer's Colombian hometown
A huge statue of Colombian singer Shakira has been unveiled in her hometown of Barranquilla.
A 6.5 metre (21.3 foot) bronze statue has captured the singer with her arms interlocked high, belly exposed, and torso folded to one side marking her iconic hip movement.
The statue shows Shakira swaying her hips, like in the dance move from her popular Hips Don’t Lie music video.
The Colombian superstar shared a video of the statue’s unveiling, as well as photos of her family with the statue, with her 90 million Instagram followers on Tuesday.
Shakira's parents, William Mebarak and Nidia Ripoll, as well as the mayor of Barranquilla, attended the unveiling.
The BBC reports a plaque at the foot of the statue praises the artist for her "hips that do not lie, a unique talent, a voice that moves masses".
The plaque also refers to the singer’s charity work through a foundation she created called "Pies descalzos", Spanish for "bare feet", which promotes early childhood development.
The hit maker thanked the sculptor, Yino Márquez, and his students for the "enormous artistic talent" they had demonstrated by creating the bronze.
Shakira made headlines in 2023 after a diss track, which takes aim at former football star Gerard Piqué and his new girlfriend broke 14 Guinness World Records.
The singer’s 11-year relationship with Pique ended in June of 2022.
Shakira announced in November that she had resolved a long-running tax dispute with Spanish authorities and paid a €7.5m (£6.5m) fine.The 46-year-old singer had previously been charged with tax evasion. Spanish prosecutors had alleged that she failed to pay more than €14.5 million( £13 million) between 2012 and 2014.
Shakira, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, said she settled "with the best interest of my kids at heart".
In a lengthy statement, she said her children "do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight".
