Barranquilla Reveals Massive Shakira Statue in Her Hometown 

A large statue of Shakira has been revealed in her hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia. Standing at 6.5 meters (21.3 feet), the statue depicts the singer in a pose reminiscent of the iconic hip-swivelling dance move featured in her popular hit ‘Hips Don't Lie.’

A plaque at the base of the statue commends her for having "hips that do not lie, a unique talent, a voice that moves masses." It also acknowledges her charitable efforts through the "Pies Descalzos" foundation, which focuses on early childhood development.

The unveiling took place on 26th December, attended by Shakira's parents, William Mebarak and Nidia Ripoll, along with the mayor of Barranquilla. Shakira later shared a photo of her parents alongside the statue on her social media, mentioning that her mother had the chance to see it on her birthday.

Shakira earned the title of the most searched musician of the year, as per Google's 2023 Year In Search. In January, the Colombian singer gained widespread attention with the release of 'BZRP Music Sessions #53,' a collaboration with producer Bizarrap that went viral. The project was inspired by her tumultuous relationship with ex-partner Gerard Piqué.

Recently, Shakira resolved a prolonged legal dispute with Spanish authorities over allegations of tax evasion. The accusations, dating back to July 2021, claimed that she had evaded taxes over several years by utilizing an offshore company in a tax haven.

The charges contended that Shakira, who was living in Spain between 2012 and 2014, should have been paying taxes. Another set of allegations emerged two months ago, accusing her of failing to pay 6.7 million euros (£5.8 million) in tax on her 2018 income.

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Shakira announced in a statement that she had settled the disagreement with Spanish authorities and opted against pursuing legal action, citing the "emotional toll" it would impose on her.

Since the allegations first surfaced in 2021, Shakira has consistently refuted all claims. She has asserted that her fiscal residence during that period was in the Bahamas, dismissing the accusations as "fictional" and insisting that she fulfilled her financial obligations.

– Farheen Ali