Backstage with Shakira: 'My Kids Are the Reason I’m Alive'
A Mother’s Heart on Stage
Shakira’s concerts are a whirlwind of bilingual hits, 13 costume changes, and electrifying moves—like her Lebanese-inspired belly dance during Ojos Así or thrashing a Flying-V guitar for Objection (Tango). But the emotional peak comes during Acróstico, a tender ballad she wrote for Milan and Sasha, promising to stay strong after her painful 2022 split from their father, Gerard Piqué. As she sings, her boys’ faces light up the video screens, duetting with their mom from afar. “My heart melts every time I see them on that screen and hear their little voices,” Shakira shared. “They’re just everything to me… having them every night on stage, it’s just such a precious moment.”
This tour is the first time Milan and Sasha are old enough to watch their mom perform live, and it’s clear they’re her biggest fans—and toughest critics. Shakira laughed about their “mixed emotions,” noting, “They’re kind of stressed out because they want everything to come out perfect for me… ‘Mom, how did it go? Did you fall?’” It’s a sweet glimpse into their bond, showing how her boys keep her grounded even as she dazzles two million fans across 64 sold-out shows in North and South America.
Balancing Stardom and Single Motherhood
Shakira’s life hasn’t been all glitz and glamour. The past few years brought heartbreak—her 11-year relationship with Piqué ended amid rumors of infidelity, her father underwent emergency brain surgery, and she faced a €14.5 million tax fraud case in Spain (which she settled out of court). Yet, through it all, her kids have been her anchor. “I formed a family, and it’s the most wonderful thing, the most important thing to me,” she told Billboard. “Before, I was the center of my whole world… now my kids and my family are that one priority.”
Now a single mom in Miami after moving from Barcelona in 2023, Shakira’s days are a juggling act. She’s up late in the studio, grabbing coffee to stay awake, and squeezing in doctor’s appointments and homework with Milan and Sasha. In a candid chat with Rolling Stone, she recalled their first day at school in America, admitting she was “super nervous” about how they’d adjust. When she picked them up, their joy—“We love it!”—melted her fears. She’s also brutally honest about the grind, telling Zane Lowe she sometimes doesn’t sleep until 9 a.m., passing out after tucking her boys in. “It’s been intense,” she said, but it’s “the beauty of balancing it all.”
Her Kids: The Next Generation of Talent
Milan and Sasha aren’t just cheering from the sidelines—they’re already showing their own creative spark. Milan, 12, has written songs that Shakira says “brought me to tears,” processing his parents’ split through music. He’s also a talented pianist and surfer, even playing in Acróstico’s music video alongside Sasha, who’s been honing his own voice at the piano. Shakira beams with pride, saying, “There is nothing that makes me more fulfilled than being their mother.”
At the 2025 Grammys, where Shakira won Best Latin Pop Album for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Milan and Sasha stole hearts in matching silver tuxedos, blowing air kisses as their mom dedicated her award to their “kind hearts.” Backstage, Milan gushed, “She definitely killed it; she stole the show,” while Shakira introduced them to stars like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo. It’s clear her boys are growing up fast, already navigating their mom’s fame with a mix of awe and normal-kid worries.
A Perfectionist Fueled by Love
Backstage, Shakira’s crew calls her a perfectionist. Her musical director, Tim Mitchell, marvels at her attention to detail—down to the lighting and wristbands—while chief dancer Darina Littleton says, “When she’s on, she’s on.” But it’s her kids who keep her pushing forward. She told USA Today that Milan even sparked her 2023 hit with Bizarrap, Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53, by calling him the “Argentinian god.” That track, packed with jabs at Piqué, won Song of the Year at the Latin Grammys, proving her creative fire still burns bright.
Shakira’s tour, named after her album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women No Longer Cry), is a testament to her resilience. “What I’ve learned is that a fall isn’t the end, but the beginning of an even better journey,” she told her audience. Her boys are part of that journey, not just as her inspiration but as active players in her creative world, giving her feedback and keeping her honest.
Why It Hits Home
Reading about Shakira’s love for Milan and Sasha feels so raw and real. As a parent, I can relate to that heart-melting pride when your kids light up your world, or the exhaustion of balancing work and family. Shakira’s not just a global icon—she’s a mom who worries about her kids’ happiness, who stays up late for them, and who finds joy in their small victories. Her story reminds us that even superstars are human, driven by the same love and fears we all feel.
The Middle East tensions—Israel’s strike on Iran and the market chaos—feel like a distant storm compared to the warmth of Shakira’s words about her boys. Yet, it’s a reminder of how fragile life is, making those family moments even more precious. What do you think—how does Shakira’s story resonate with you? Are you a fan of her music, her grit, or her mom vibes? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s keep the conversation going.
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