Shakira is savoring change in D.C.

Don’t count Shakira’s voice out, just because she’s not an American citizen.

The spicy Colombian singer and children’s advocate stepped out early in the primaries to endorse Barack Obama because she felt he was the one to unite international relations and help underdeveloped countries.

What gave her an inkling that he’d be right for the job?

“An impulse. From my heart, really,” she says, taking a bite of a protein bar and a swig of water. “Of course, everyone has unbelievably high expectations, including me.”

And just how high are hers?

“To fix it all overnight” isn’t realistic, says Shakira, an honorary chairwoman of the Global Campaign for Education and a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. “We have to do a common effort.”

Source: USA TODAY

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Obama invites Shakira to sing at inauguration

Weeks before the United States 2008 Presidential election, we reported that Shakira gave her endorsement to president elect Barack Obama. After winning the presidency in an electoral college landslide, Obama has extended an invitation to the Colombian singer to perform at his inauguration to take place January 20, 2009.

Peru-based newspaper El Comercio quoted Obama as saying, “It’s an honor to receive so much support from someone that talented and a person that generous.”

This means that Shakira would be performing at the White House. Let’s hope this is true!

Pharrell & Shakira Collaboration?

Shakira and Pharrell Williams in the studio // Photo: Rap-Up.com

Our friends over at Rap-Up.com have come across something interesting. You might remember Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes aka Skateboard P for his innovative musical beats. Recently, he was caught in the studio with Shakira. No word yet on if the two are laying down a few songs for Shakira’s upcoming album but we will let you know if we get more information about that.

Update (12/2/2008): Here is a video of Pharrell in the studio saying that he is indeed working one some new stuff. You can hear Shakira in the background. Can’t wait!

Shakira selected as “Humanitarian of the year”

Shakira on the cover of the latest issue of People en Español.

People en Español has elected Shakira as the Humanitarian of the Year in the latest edition of the magazine which will be on shelves November 10th. She was recognized for all of her charity work with impoverished children through her own foundation Pies Descalzos and Latin America in Solidarity (ALAS).

“What’s most important is not how much we can give, it’s how,” said Shakira in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE en Español.

“There are people sometimes who help the most just by giving a few words of encouragement, a priceless gesture of love towards a child, which is more valuable than donating money with indifference.”

The singer learned about poverty early on when her family went bankrupt, and her parents showed her that they were far better off than most families who lived harsh lives and orphans who would whiff gasoline and chemicals to forget their hunger and misery. “We had a comfortable life, and then one day I was shown something else. From that day on, I became obsessed to vindicate my family, my family’s economic situation, and to one day help those kids that I saw on the streets,” says the singer.

Be sure to pick up the latest copy of People En Español on news stands November 10th!

Shakira: `I’m quite pregnant’–with her album

NEW YORK (AP) — Shakira revealed Wednesday that she is, in fact, expecting. But it’s not what you may think.

“I’m quite pregnant with my album,” the Colombian pop star told a reporter by phone — between laughs — when asked whether her foundation work on behalf of Latin American children has made her want to become a mother.

“Yes, I have plans, but not yet,” said Shakira, 31. “I’m pregnant with my songs. But someday, yes.”

The singer-activist plans to ask about 20 Latin American presidents at a regional summit in El Salvador on Thursday to direct more resources to poor children and to put early childhood development at the top of their agendas. She will appear on behalf of ALAS (Latin America in Solidarity Action) Foundation, a nonprofit coalition she helped create.

Asked whether she plans to write a song about ALAS, translated as “Wings” in Spanish, the Grammy winner and United Nations goodwill ambassador said it’s out of her hands.

“I can’t control my muses,” she said.

Source: Associated Press (AP)

Shakira: Pretty In Paris!

Shakira Pretty In Paris

Getting some fresh air in the City of Lights, Shakira was spotted on her way out of Le Hotel Meurice in downtown Paris, France earlier today (October 17).
The “Hips Don’t Lie� songstress looked cute and casual in a purple v-neck sweater teamed with a pair of vintage wash jeans and some black high-heeled boots.

Source: Here

Also, I just wanna introduce myself. I’m Minnie and I run several sites on the WWW and am now going to be helping Devin out with ShakiraDaily! Like Devin, I’m very busy with school. But I will be making updates when possible. Also, possibly this weekend I will be uploading some photos of Shakira from past events and such! So look out!

Plunge into Poverty Made Her a Better Person

Pop superstar SHAKIRA went from spoiled rich kid to hardship when her father’s jewellery business went bankrupt - and the change in fortunes gave the singer a first-hand view of a life she’d never have known if her family hadn’t failed. In a telling essay Shakira has written for the upcoming issue of Newsweek magazine, the star recalls the family upheaval, which helped to turn her into a champion for the poor in her native Colombia.

She writes, “When I was 7 years old, my hardworking father’s jewelry business went bankrupt. I didn’t know what the word ‘bankrupt’ meant, and when my parents sent me to stay with family friends in Los Angeles, while they addressed the situation, I assumed that I would return home to my normal routine.

“But, when I returned, it seemed everything had changed. Our two cars that I had ridden in to school or to play with my friends were gone. The air conditioner that cooled us during the brutally hot Colombian summers had been sold. Our color television had been traded in for a smaller, black-and-white version. Foods that I loved were replaced with the bland staples a mother buys when food becomes sustenance instead of something to be enjoyed.

Source: Contact Music

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Shakira’s Vote: Barack Obama

Though Shakira will not be able to vote in the upcoming 2008 Presidential Elections in the United States, the Colombian singer has voiced her support for Illinois senator Barack Obama.

She stated, “If I could vote, I would vote for Barack Obamba because I think that he is the person that can bring the world the true American message,� according to the Associated Press.

On November 4, 2008, voters will flock to the polls casting votes for the next President of the United States of America. Barack Obama has been the more popular candidate among young voters and is expected to have a huge turnout among young voters at the polls.

“I feel in my heart that he would be able to reconstruct peace and confidence in the United States, a counter that he appreciates profoundly.”

Shakira also added that Barack’s family background may give him an advantage over his republican opponent John McCain.

Shakira, Alejandro Sanz Plead To Help Poor Children

Latin singers Shakira and Alejandro Sanz urged the presidents of Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay on Wednesday to reach a regional accord to help poor children in Latin America.

Representing the Panama-based ALAS foundation, which works toward improving the education, health and nutrition of children up to six years old, Shakira warned that more than 50 percent of children in the region lack any kind of preschool learning or stimulation and never have a chance to escape poverty.

“He who is born poor dies poor” in her native Colombia, Shakira said, “and that must change.”

About 32 million children are born into poverty in Latin America, according to ALAS, and lack the necessary education, stimulation and nourishment to develop properly.

The singers asked the presidents to adopt an agreement on combatting child poverty during the upcoming Iberoamerican Summit in late October.

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Arab stereotype song recording untrue, says publicist

Colombian pop star Shakira’s publicist says a report that the singer will record a song about Islam and Arabs with Arab-American singer Dania Youssef is untrue. Al-Arabiya reported that Shakira, who is of Lebanese and Colombian descent, is penning the English lyrics, while Egyptian composer Mohamed Saad is writing the Arabic portion of the song, as well as the music. The report said a U.S. director was expected to film a music video for the song.

Shakira’s publicist, Diana Baron, told UPI the report was incorrect.

“This report is a total fabrication in every respect,” she said.

Shakira — who was honored last week with the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the ALMA Awards — is working on a new record, Baron said.

Shakira has for the past year served as an advocate for early childhood education, working for her Barefoot Foundation, Fundacion Pies Descalzos and Fundacion America Latina en Accion Solidaria — which promotes prosperity for children in Latin America as well as vaccinations and pre-natal care.

Source: UPI