Shakira considering album in Arabic

RABAT: Colombian pop singer Shakira said Saturday she would one day like to sing pop songs, if not an entire album, in Arabic.

The native Spanish speaker, who also has global hits in English, was speaking at a news conference in Morocco, where she was headlining the Mawazine World Rhythms music festival.

"It would be a challenge to do an album in Arabic. I would first have to learn Arabic," she said. "I am completely open to that experience. ... At some point I would love that to happen in my life."

Born in Colombia of Syrian origin, Shakira said she grew up listening to the Arab world's premier divas of the 20th century, Egyptian Umm Kalthum and Lebanese Fairuz.

Shakira often uses eastern dance, also known as belly dancing, in her acts, and her hit Spanish language single "Ojas Asi" relies heavily on a Middle Eastern melody. Her eastern origins and musical influences have made her popular throughout the Middle East.

She admitted, however, that she only speaks a few words of Arabic, including "ateeni boosa" or give me a kiss, provoking laughter among the mostly Moroccan crowd of journalists.

Morocco's 10th-annual Mawazine festival of world music concluded Saturday after eight days of music that saw bands from 60 countries, including Kanye West, Lionel Ritchie, Egypt's Amr Diab and Senegal's Youssou N'Dour. (AP)

Shakira 'to sing in Bollywood film Azaan'

Shakira is said to be singing for new Bollywood production Azaan.

The Colombian popstar's rumoured collaboration with the Hindi film industry has been the subject of ongoing media speculation in India.

According to NDTV, actor Sachin Joshi outlined: "We have sealed a deal with a very high-profile international artiste, after months of negotiation. However, until all formalities are complete, we do not wish to make an announcement."

Shakira is said to be working with music composers Salim-Sulaiman on a track for the film's original soundtrack.

A source revealed: "Sachin and Salim-Sulaiman have been trying their best to lure Shakira with the double bait of big bucks and Bollywood.

"Last year, the deal fell through. This year, however, things have gone differently. They approached Shakira to do a promotional video for the movie, and to their delight, she agreed."

A report last year suggested that Shakira would be playing the role of Hindu goddess Kaali in an upcoming film.

Shakira Showcassing Legs In Pretty Goun

Shakira Showcassing Legs In Pretty Goun

Shakira's ring 'not stolen at concert'

Shakira has denied that a fan stole a ring from her finger while she was walking through the crowd during a live show in Mexico.

Video footage emerged of a concert-goer grasping the hand of the 'Loca' singer before she pauses and looks at her finger.

Of claims that a ring was stolen, Shakira's publicist Joseph Carozza told TMZ: "There is no truth to this report. A fan grabbed her hand and she looked down. Her ring is still visible on her hand as she continued to walk through the crowd."

Real Madrid ban Shakira

It's pretty obvious that most men will envy Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. After all, he is in a relationship with Colombian singer Shakira. However, his rivals at Real Madrid have taken things to a new level by removing Shakira's hit 'Waka Waka' from the Bernabeu stadium playlist.

Could it be down to team rivalry and petty jealousy? The Sun reports the track was used as the official anthem of the Spanish football team during their winning campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Since then, the song was reported to be played during pre-match build ups and at half-time at Real Madrid games -- but not any more.

Meanwhile, Shakira has donated $400,000 (£250,000) to re-build a Haitian school after it was damaged during the January 2010 earthquake. Her donation will be matched by the Inter-American Development Bank.

AFP reports that the singer addressed around 100 of the school's students and said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to help you make your dream come true. I would like to tell the girls of the Elie Dubois school that you should seize the opportunity for education."

Shakira Donates USD 400,000 For Haiti School

Colombian singer Shakira has donated $400,000 to help rebuild a school in Haiti.

The 34-year-old singer who visited the country recently has collaborated with the Inter-American Development Bank to rebuild the institution which was damaged by the massive earthquake last year.

"I'm convinced the key to achieve a dignified future for the Haitian people is through education. I'd like to say to the girls that this is an enormous opportunity that life is offering you - education. So make the most of it because I'm sure you can achieve any of your dreams," said the singer.

The Hips Don't Lie hit maker announced her plans to team her Barefoot Foundation with the Architecture for Humanity charity to help renovate the Elie Dubois school in the capital Port-au-Prince shortly after the disaster hit in January, 2010.

The singer also mingled with the students of the school and performed her songs during the visit.

Shakira confirms romance with Pique

BOGOTA: Colombian pop star Shakira on Tuesday confirmed her romantic relationship with Spanish footballer Gerard Pique through a message on her Twitter account.

"I present to you my sunshine ... Shak," the 34-year-old singer wrote in the message accompanying a photo of the smiling pair.

Shakira and the 24-year-old Barcelona center-back became the focus of intense media attention earlier this month when gossip magazines published photographs of the couple holding hands and kissing in Barcelona.

In January, Shakira announced the end of her 11-year relationship with Antonio de la Rua of Argentina.

Shakira's wildly popular "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, won by Spain.

Pique, a member of the World Cup team, told a March 3 press conference at Barca's training center that he prefers to just talk football.

Quizzed on his private life, he said: "I'd like it if people only talked about me from a sporting perspective but I get the impression that, ultimately, it's inevitable." (AFP)

Shakira sexiest performance in Paris

Shakira sexiest performance in Paris

Shakira Hot Photos

Hot Pictures Of Pop Sensation Shakira

Shakira Hot Photos

Hot Pictures Of Pop Sensation Shakira

Shakira Hot Photos

Hot Pictures Of Pop Sensation Shakira

Shakira Splits with Longtime Boyfriend

The singer and her boyfriend have called it quits


Shakira and her boyfriend, Antonio de la Rua, have both confirmed that they have split up after being together for 11 years.

The couple split last August but continue to work together on a professional level as business partners.

In statements, Shakira and her boyfriend both expressed how wonderful their time together was, and it seems as though there’s still a possibility of them getting back together because they don’t seem to view their separation as a permanent thing.

Rua is the son of the former president of Argentina.

Shakira has recently been linked to Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué as well as tennis number one Rafael Nadal who appeared in her “Gypsy” music video. The singer denied that she was involved with either one.

Shakira Mebarak Beautiful pics collection

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2, 1977), known professionally as Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, and philanthropist who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s. Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira revealed many of her talents in school as a live performer, demonstrating her vocal

Shakira : Hot& Bold Pop Queen

Shakira Hip Lie

Good Looking

Shakira 'earns $660,000 for charity'

Shakira has earned $660,000 (£419,000) for her charity foundation Pies Descalzos.

The singer agreed to appear in an advert for a Spanish cava drink - filmed last week in Barcelona - in exchange for the hefty donation by the company Freixenet, reports The AP.

She revealed that she plans to use the money to build schools in Colombia and Haiti.

"Education is a birthright and a quality education is the only tool that a child has to turn dreams into reality," she said during a press conference.

"Since I was a girl I have been aware of the tough reality faced by many children."

The deal will also allow the company to produce the music video for Shakira's song 'Sale El Sol' as well as a documentary about work done by the charity.

Shakira Biography and Photo

Shakira is a two-time Grammy Award-winning and seven-time Latin Grammy Award-winning artist and celebrity. She has been a major figure in the pop music scene of Latin America since the mid-1990s, but in 2001, she made her mark in the English-speaking world with the release of "Laundry Service".shakira is the only child of Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, a Colombian of Spanish and

Shakira wants Himesh Reshammiya?

If you think that Himesh Reshammiya will take a sabbatical from his singing (and acting) just because of a few critics slamming his works, think again.
Recent reports circulating in the media claim that the Bollywood singer is on his way to recording an album with Hollywood favorites Shakira and Vanessa Hudgens.

The new upcoming album will reportedly feature Himesh Reshammiya in its audio and video versions and by the way the media has been describing it, the new album is nothing less than ‘larger than life’.

The album has been tentatively titled ‘At Da Edge’ and if reports are to be believed, Roman White, who has worked with the likes of Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift on various musical projects in the past, will be present during the work on the Himesh Reshammiya album. And this album being an international project, it will feature Himesh Reshammiya singing in English.

According to the media, every song in the upcoming album will be penned, composed and voiced by Himesh Reshammiya, with Vanessa Hudgens and Shakira joining the singer in duets and in the music videos. Every video for the film will be shot at various locations worldwide, with one song to be shot at the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Shakira to shake booty in Bollywood number?

Anil Kapoor is trying his best to get Latin American performer Shakira to shoot a dance track for Anees Bazmee's No Problem. If he succeeds in his efforts, this will be her first appearance in a B-Town flick.

Says a source close to Anil, "It's not an item number. The film's composer, Pritam has composed a song set to the lyrics of Shakira's Hips Don't Lie. Anil thought it would be great to have the pop singer gyrating to her own song. He is very keen to have Shakira on board and has spoken to Andre in Wizcraft to speak to her. "

The source adds that if Shakira agrees the entire star cast -- Anil, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Sunil Shetty, Sushmita Sen, Kangna Ranaut, Neetu Chandra and Paresh Rawal will also perform with the Latin- American singer.

About 'Hips Don't Lie'
Hips Don't Lie is a remake of Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean's 2004 song Dance Like This. Shakira wrote some parts of the new version, and co-produced. Hips Don't Lie became a global success, topping charts in at least 55 countries. It became Shakira and Wyclef's first (and to date, only) number-one single in the U. S.

Package deal
The promos of No Problem and Toonpur Ka Super Hero come with Anjaana Anjaani, which releases today. Says a source close to Anil, "It isn't true that Kunal Kohli's Break Ke Baad promo is releasing with AA.

No Problem and Toonpur was always supposed to come out with AA. While Toonpur Ka Superhero is a live action animation film directed by Kireet Khurana, produced by Kumar Mangat and Krishika Lulla, and starring Ajay Devgn and Kajol. No Problem is a comic family entertainer. "

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Kaali... not about Hindu goddess: Producer

Hollywood film Kaali - The Warrior Goddess is inspired by mythology but not based on the Hindu goddess, says Britain-based producer Karan Arora who plans to cast Colombian pop singer Shakira in the title role.

"Let me clarify that through this movie we are not trying to depict any mythological character. It is not the story of goddess Kaali and it has nothing to do with the scriptures. It is a complete fictional story," Arora told IANS in an interview here.

But he admits that the looks and clothes in the film are inspired by mythology.

"We definitely have a few things in common like victory of good over evil. Also, in terms of looks, clothes and costumes, the film is heavily inspired by mythology. The movie will be made in English and then it will be dubbed in Hindi and various other languages."

There are many who are not happy with the choice of Shakira for the title role even though she is yet to sign on the dotted line.

Arora said: "While scripting we never thought of taking Shakira because we were trying to evolve a new concept. Once the script was ready, we wanted someone with international appeal and she fits the bill completely.

"We are still in the process of negotiations and paperwork. So we can't confirm her presence till the deal is through. But if she is on, let me tell you our investors are already jumping with joy. You will see Shakira in a completely different avatar, it won't be a regular sing and dance act."

Arora, CEO of High Grounds Entertainment Ltd, which will produce the movie in association with noted sound recordist Walter Anderson, also explained the film will have characters inspired by mythology, but they are not trying to preach anything.

"Kaali's character has got power; she is someone bestowed with powers. All through these years you have watched movies like 300 and Avatar that have characters from the West. Through this movie, from the very beginning, our aim was to have our leading character from the East. But this movie is meant for international audiences...," he said.

To be directed by Simon Hunter, Kaali - The Warrior Goddess will go on the floors in April next year and is slated for a 2013 release. The film's budget is $75 million and Arora says money will be spent on technology.

"As the movie is imaginary, we are not bound by any geographical locations. Though we will shoot some parts in eastern Europe, mostly it will be studios as it is a 3D VFX movie. So the budget will be spent more on technology and less on stars," said Arora.

Hunter has roped in technicians from the US and Britain as well as a research team from Kolkata to work on the look of the movie.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll

Name: Shakira Isabel Mebarak RipollBirth Place: Barranquilla, ColombiaBirth Date: February 2, 1977Parents: William Mebarak and Nidia RipollNationality: ColumbianEthnicity: Spanish, Italian and LebaneseOccupation: Musician, ActorGenres: Latin, Pop, Rnb, DanceInstruments: Vocals, GuitarShakira ( full name Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ) was born on February 2, 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia.She is