Shakira may be a global music icon with millions of fans spanning every continent, but at her core, she’s still that determined teenager from Barranquilla, Colombia — and she hasn’t forgotten where she came from. With a career that has skyrocketed her to international fame, the Grammy-winning superstar is now using her voice not just to entertain but to advocate — especially for immigrant communities who are often silenced, overlooked, or misunderstood.
In a candid interview with the BBC published on June 12, Shakira opened up about her immigrant experience, her early struggles in the United States, and her deep concern over the rising tensions that immigrant communities face today. It’s a poignant reminder that behind every success story, there’s often a story of resilience, of challenges quietly overcome, and of roots that never wither.
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was only 19 years old when she left her homeland of Colombia and moved to the United States — a brave leap for any young artist, let alone one entering a country with a different language, culture, and music industry.
“Like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future, I was only 19 when I moved to the U.S.,” Shakira recalled in her BBC interview. “And I remember I was surrounded by Spanish-English dictionaries and synonym dictionaries — because back in the day, I didn’t really have Google or ChatGPT to help. So it was all very precarious.”
It’s an image that’s both endearing and telling: a young Shakira, fumbling through translations and synonyms, working relentlessly to find her voice — literally and figuratively — in a new country. At the time, she didn’t yet have the resources we take for granted today. But she had drive, discipline, and a dream.
Her bilingual hits would soon become staples on the airwaves. From “Whenever, Wherever” to “Hips Don’t Lie,” Shakira blended Latin rhythms with pop hooks, creating a sound that was entirely her own. And in the process, she helped redefine what it meant to be a Latina in mainstream music — not an outsider but a force.
Shakira’s recent remarks didn’t just touch on her personal journey. She went further, highlighting the pain and fear many immigrants are currently experiencing — especially under policies enacted during Donald Trump’s presidency.
“It means living in constant fear. And it’s painful to see,” Shakira said, referring to the sweeping deportation efforts and hostile rhetoric aimed at immigrants. Her words came shortly after several protests broke out across Los Angeles, following targeted immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
These raids were part of a broader directive from Trump, whose administration made immigration crackdowns a signature issue. Earlier in his presidency, Trump pledged to remove 1 million undocumented immigrants annually — a promise that many saw as both impractical and cruel.
On June 6, as ICE agents stormed communities across L.A., the tension reached a boiling point. Small but passionate protests emerged, demanding accountability and human rights protections. But the federal government responded with force, deploying 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines. The move sparked public outcry and at least one lawsuit from state officials, accusing the president of escalating unrest rather than addressing root issues.
It’s in this environment — one charged with fear, division, and uncertainty — that Shakira has chosen to speak out.
“Now, more than ever, we have to remain united,” she told the BBC. “Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane.”
Shakira’s message is consistent with her long-standing activism. She’s not new to using her platform to shine light on injustices, and her support for immigrants isn’t performative — it’s personal.
Earlier this year, while accepting the award for Best Latin Pop Album at the 67th annual Grammy Awards, Shakira made sure her speech wasn’t just about her win. She used the spotlight to uplift others.
“I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” she said emotionally. “You are loved, you are worth it, and I will always fight with you.”
It was a bold moment in a room filled with glitz and glamour — a heartfelt reminder that even amid the celebration, some communities are facing real pain. That’s always been Shakira’s strength: using her voice, not just her lyrics, to connect with people.
In an era when celebrities are often criticized for either saying too much or staying silent, Shakira walks a fine line with grace. She chooses her moments carefully, and when she speaks, it matters. But advocacy comes with risks.
Speaking out against immigration raids or criticizing political decisions can lead to backlash — from fans, media, or even government officials. Yet Shakira isn’t deterred.
For her, the stakes are personal. She remembers the fear. She understands the uncertainty. She’s seen the heartbreak in families torn apart. And she knows that staying silent would be a betrayal of everything she represents.
“I know what it feels like to be an immigrant — to be far from home, trying to prove yourself, trying to belong,” she has said in past interviews. “So I will always stand with those who are on that journey.”
While many know Shakira for her hip-shaking anthems and dazzling performances, her philanthropic efforts run deep. In Colombia, she founded the Barefoot Foundation (Pies Descalzos), which provides education and nutrition to impoverished children. Globally, she has worked with UNICEF and spoken at major forums like the United Nations to advocate for children’s rights and access to education.
Her activism on immigration fits into that larger pattern — one where her fame serves a greater purpose.
It’s clear that for Shakira, the personal is political. Her story mirrors that of millions of immigrants around the world: those who leave behind everything they know in search of a better future, those who build bridges in unfamiliar lands, and those who carry their culture with pride.
At a time when immigration policies are debated more fiercely than ever, voices like Shakira’s are invaluable. She brings empathy to the conversation — not stats or slogans, but real stories, real heart.
Her reminder that “the treatment of all people must always be humane” is more than a soundbite — it’s a moral call. Whether it’s through a BBC interview or a Grammy speech, she’s fighting for visibility, for fairness, and for dignity.
It’s also worth noting the symbolic weight of a Colombian immigrant standing on the world’s biggest stages and demanding justice. For young Latinx fans, immigrants, and dreamers everywhere, Shakira’s visibility is hope in human form.
“Raíces” — the Spanish word for roots — holds a deep meaning for immigrants. It speaks to the unbreakable ties that bind someone to their culture, their language, their people. And Shakira, for all her international fame and success, has never turned her back on her roots.
Whether she’s singing in Spanish or English, performing for presidents or protesting with the people, she brings her whole self to the stage. She’s not just a pop star. She’s a storyteller, a cultural ambassador, a bridge between worlds.
And in times like these — when fear, division, and exclusion seem louder than compassion — we need those bridges more than ever.
Shakira’s words at the Grammys still echo: “You are loved. You are worth it.”
For countless immigrants who feel invisible, who live in fear, who are told they don’t belong — those words matter. They validate. They empower. And they inspire action.
In the end, Shakira’s story is not just about music or fame. It’s about what we choose to do with the platforms we’re given. She chose to stand up. She chose to speak. And she’s still choosing — every day — to fight for those who may not yet have a voice.
Because no matter how far she’s gone, she’s never forgotten how her journey began. And that, more than anything, is what makes her truly legendary.