In recent years, Shakira has had to deal with a well-publicized separation from her husband and the father of her children, Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique, as well as entanglements with Spanish tax authorities. But the star, one of the best-selling musicians in the world, still enjoys commercial success and the love of the audience, especially in her native Colombia. The Grammy winner was immortalized in her famous belly dance pose with a huge bronze statue placed in her hometown of Barranquilla, a port city in the north of the country also known as Colombia's Golden Gate. The statue shows Shakira rocking her hips, as in the dance moves from the music video for her 2006 single "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean, which was a worldwide success. The superstar shared a video of the statue's unveiling with her 90 million Instagram followers.
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Barranquilla Mayor Jaime Pomerejo unveiled the statue, no less than 6.5 meters, in a park along the banks of the Magdalena River on Tuesday. The dedication ceremony of the statue was attended by the singer's parents, William Meberak and Nidya Ripoll.
The sculpture showing the singer dancing with her arms over a curly head, a transparent skirt with a shiny aluminum detailing, and a bare belly, is a work of artist Inna Marquez.
"He shows millions of girls that they can, that they can chase their dreams and each of them can get what they want," Mayor Pomerejo said, noting that he used to see Shakira sing at local concerts.
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A sign at the foot of the statue praises the artist, including her charitable work "Pies descalzos" (Spanish for "bare feet"), for the proper development of children in their early years: "A musical heart, hips that don't lie, unparalleled talent, a voice that moves crowds and feet that march for the benefit of children and humanity," it said.
Shakira, who lives in Miami, said in a statement from the mayor's office that the statue is a great honor and that Barranquilla will always be her home.
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