Hits Don’t Lie: Profiling Best-Selling Singer Shakira

Who is the most liked celebrity around the world? Finding the answer to this is now simple, thanks to Facebook. In July 2014 Shakira became the first person to attract more than 100 million likes on the social networking site, confirming her status as global superstar.

One reason for Shakira’s far-reaching appeal is the diversity of her talents: singer-songwriter, dancer, record-producer, choreographer, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Shakira’s influence stretches across the entertainment world and beyond. Shakira’s success in the performance industries was recognized in 2010 by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, whilst in 2013 Forbes named her the 58th most powerful woman in the world.

Shakira’s rise to stardom began in the 1990s, with the release of four studio albums in Spanish and consequent widespread popularity in Latin America. 2001 brought her fifth album, Laundry Service – the first to be targeted at the English-language market and as such a pivotal moment in the global extension of the singer’s fan-base. Having now sold over 60 million records worldwide, with hits including “Whenever, Wherever”, “Hips Don’t Lie” and official 2010 FIFA World Cup theme “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, Shakira is one of the best-selling artists of all time.

A devoted philanthropist, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos or “Barefoot” Foundation: a Colombian charity which works to ensure that every Colombian child can receive an education, regardless of their family’s financial position.