BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Pop star Shakira has been immortalized in her Colombian hometown of Barranquilla, where officials unveiled a giant bronze statue of the music diva known around the world for her catchy melodies and cheerful moves.
The six-metre-tall (20-foot) monument depicts the multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner in one of her iconic belly dancing outfits, with her hips swayed to her right and her arms raised gracefully toward the sky.
A plaque under the statue says: “On February 2, 1977, the city of Barranquilla and the world witnessed the birth of a heart that composes, hips that do not lie, a voice that moves the masses, and a pair of bare feet that walk for the good of children and humanity.”
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The statue, which sits on a recently built park along the Magdalena River that runs along the edge of the city, was unveiled at a small ceremony on Tuesday attended by Shakira's parents and Mayor Jaime Pomarejo.
However, the bronze giant is not the first Shakira statue in this Caribbean city. In 2006, Barranquilla unveiled a memorial to Shakira depicting the pop star in her early days, playing guitar and wearing jeans and boots. This statue stands near the entrance to the local football stadium.
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The Colombian pop star won three Latin Grammy Awards earlier this year, and also made headlines in January, when she posted a record-breaking fiery rap song about her ex on YouTube.
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She also settled a tax fraud case in Spain for $7.5 million this year, and recently moved to Miami with her two children.
“Lifelong beer expert. General travel enthusiast. Social media buff. Zombie maven. Communicator.”