Shakira Says She's 'Not Thinking' About Dating: 'What Space Do I Have for a Man Right Now?'

"Having a formal relationship, I think my kids would have to be very prepared for that," said the singer

Dating is the last thing Shakira has on her mind right now.

The global music star, 47, who will begin a world tour in November, is making it clear that she is "not thinking" about finding a romantic partner anytime soon.

"What space do I have for a man right now?" she expressed in a new Rolling Stone cover story. Her perspective is largely influenced by her kids, Milan, 11, and Sasha, 9, whom she shares with her ex-partner, Gerard Piqué.

The singer and former soccer player were together for 11 years before announcing their separation in June 2022.

Related: Shakira Details 'Suffering' She Endured After Gerard Piqué Breakup: 'Felt Like Someone Had Stabbed a Hole in My Chest'

Following the breakup, rumors emerged alleging that the athlete cheated on her with his current girlfriend, Clara Chia Marti.

"What can I tell you, I like men. That’s the problem. I shouldn’t like them with everything that’s happened to me, but imagine how much I like men that I still like them," Shakira joked to the outlet. "But having a formal relationship, I think my kids would have to be very prepared for that, and their emotional and psychological well-being is the priority."

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Although she said that she's "not opposed to having friends," Shakira's ultimately focused on her independence.

"I’m so much less fragile than I thought. I was always so scared of pain because I thought I wouldn’t survive it," she said. "Through this process, I became stronger than I thought I was. I became a more independent person, one who doesn’t rely on anyone but herself and her wolf pack."

Related: Shakira Wants Her Sons to Know That Life Isn't 'How People Picture It in the Movies': 'They've Seen Their Mom Cry'

When the Grammy winner released Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran in March, she credited being single as one of the main reasons she was able to work on a complete body of music.

"I've been putting out music here and there, but it was really hard for me to put together a body of work," she shared during an appearance on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that same month.

"I didn't have time. It was the husband-factor," she added. "Now I'm husband-less. Yeah, the husband was dragging me down. Now I'm free. Now I can actually work."

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