Shakira in Talk Magazine
Latin America's most talked about singer washes
up on American shores this summer with the release of her first
English - language record. But don't let the blonde mane fool
you: She's no pop tart. She's the real thing.
She is just 23, but already she has sold more than
8 million records, won a Grammy, two Latin Grammys, and been profiled
by Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez. She has packed stadiums
across her native South America with her gritty rock vocals and
lay-it-bare lyrics, and in the process won the heart of the handsome
son of the president of Argentina. Given her credentials it is
perhaps not so surprising that, in the midst of recording her
first English - language CD, Colombian pop star Shakira is taking
her time...even if that leaves Sony Music chief Tommy Mottola
biting his fingernails.
"Every time I talk to him, before saying hello,
Mottola asks me, 'are you done yet?'" Shakira says laughing,
during a lunch break at a South Beach restaurant. "I promised
him that I give him this record before his birthday, as a birthday
gift. Otherwise I have to get him something from Burdines or something."
Mottola's birthday is July 14, which, as Shakira's manager Freddy
DeMann points out, is well after her record will be needed; in
fact her first single, possibly a tango-rock fusion, is due in
stores June 26 ( along with the all important music video). [[Webmaster
Note - This Article was published in late May, since then dates
have been pushed bad, refer to the next line]] "She is so
friggin slow."
But as DeMann and Mottola both know, Shakira's records
have always been worth the wait - and better still, her English
debut album will be accompanied by her sultry new look. Reborn
a blonde after many years as a brunette and clearly comfortable
with her lissome figure, Shakira is not that same woman whose
angry, love-torn words and delivery prompted critics to call her
a Latin Alanis Morisette. Why? "LOVE, in capital letters,"
she says happily eyes shining. "This is the first time I
trust. We are on the same team. Unlike before, when it was a battle."
The man in question is Antonio de la Rua, a 27-year-old
lawyer - and son of the president of Argentina Fernando de la
Rua. For the Latin press it is as if Jenna Bush were dating on
of the Backstreet Boys. The couple's every outing together --
from dinner with her parents to a steamy semi clad rendezvous
on South Beach - has been chronicled, and through their glamorous
lifestyle has raised some eyebrows, given the austerity of the
current regime in Argentina, even president de la Rua has come
to terms with it. "Antonio," the president announced
to his press corps last year, "se ha enamorado." (Fallen
in love)
For the rest of the Article, purchase June/July
edition of Talk Magazine. Read about lesser known stories about
Shakira childhood, experiences with Antonio, what might be ahead
and more.
Article by Chris Connelly
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