Shakira

Shakira is a world-renowned Columbian singer and performer. Born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll on 22 February 1977, she is famous for her philanthropy, as well as her magical hip movements. Also a producer, dancer and musician, Sakira first gained prominence in her native Columbia and surrounding Latin American countries in the early 1990's. Since 1995, Shakira has produced her own albums to wide critical acclaim and commercial success. Her first English-language single, 2001's "Whenever, Wherever" led to a full album, Laundry Service, formally launching her to a new fan base. The album has since sold more than fifteen million copies around the globe. Shakira is considered to be the world's second most successful female Spanish vocalist, (topped only by Gloria Estefan) with total record sales exceeding 60 million. In terms of overall musical achievements, she ranks with female greats including Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion and Madonna. Shakira's heritage is a mix of Lebanese, Spanish and Italian; her father William was born in New York and moved to Columbia as a young child. Her background, plus her fluency in three languages, lets Shakira bring a unique multi-cultural flavor to her music and performances. The singer turned down a role in the movie "Love in The Time of Cholera" because of the required nudity, due in part to her Roman Catholic faith. Well known for her work with a number of charities, Shakira took a break from her ongoing humanitarian work in 2010 to launch a spectacular global tour, with stops in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, the U.K., Europe and across Latin America. MORE