Global music icon Shakira has opened up about her emotional experience as an immigrant in the United States, saying she now lives in “constant fear.”
In an interview with BBC News, the Colombian-born superstar reflected on how the American immigration landscape has shifted over the years. Recalling her early years in Miami, Shakira said she felt welcome and accepted when she moved to the U.S. at the age of 19 in search of a better future.
However, her tone turned somber when asked about her current feelings regarding her immigrant status.
“It means living in constant fear,” she said. “And it’s painful to see.”
The 48-year-old singer did not hold back in expressing her concern over the growing anxiety faced by immigrants, particularly in the context of the hardline immigration stance often associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Despite the challenges, Shakira encouraged people to remain resilient and united.
“Now, more than ever, we have to remain united,” she said. “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 is currently on her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women No Longer Cry) tour, selling out arenas across North and South America. One of the most moving moments in her show is the ballad Acróstico, written for her sons Milan, 12, and Sasha, 10, who appear in a video duet with her during the performance.
“They’re just everything to me. They’re my engine and the reason why I’m alive,” she said. “So having them every night on stage, it’s just such a precious moment.”
When asked if her tour would extend to Europe, Shakira responded with a smile and a teasing, “Stay tuned.”
