Shakira, who has publicly challenged traditional gender roles and advocated for women's empowerment, candidly revealed that Greta Gerwig’s 2023 movie Barbie “emasculated” her sons.
Featuring in Allure’s new April cover story, the Lebanese-Colombian songstress spoke about the beauty standards she grew up with.
“My idol was Wonder Woman,” Shakira told the publication.
She continued: "I think I was drawn to her because she had black hair like mine, but also because she was a symbol of empowerment and strength in a decade where women were not playing the most important roles."
Shakira revealed in her new cover story for Allure that the Barbie movie "emasculated" her two sons
Image credits: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
“I remember my mom stopped working at some point.
“She stopped wearing miniskirts, and the length of her skirts got longer because my dad said so.”
Upon learning from the interviewer about a professor who highlighted Colombia's conservative culture, emphasizing the traditional belief that men should wield power while women are responsible for beauty, the Hips Don’t Lie hitmaker replied: “I heard that by 2030, 60% of the world's wealth will be managed by women.”
The exchange between Shakira and the reporter prompted a conversation about the Oscar-winning Barbie movie, which the 47-year-old artist admitted she had watched with her two sons, 9-year-old Sasha and 11-year-old Milan, whom she shares with her ex-partner, Gerard Piqué.
Image credits: shakira
After being asked what she thought about the film notable for discussing themes related to feminism and capitalism, Shakira revealed: “My sons absolutely hated it.
“They felt that it was emasculating.
“And I agree, to a certain extent.
“I'm raising two boys.
“I want 'em to feel powerful too [while] respecting women.
“I like pop culture when it attempts to empower women without robbing men of their possibility to be men, to also protect and provide.
“I believe in giving women all the tools and the trust that we can do it all without losing our essence, without losing our femininity.
“I think that men have a purpose in society and women have another purpose as well.
“We complement each other, and that complement should not be lost.”
She shares 9-year-old Sasha and 11-year-old Milan with her ex-partner, Gerard Piqué
The interviewer went on to ask the musician if her statement implied that although women are capable of handling multiple responsibilities, it doesn't necessarily mean they should bear the burden alone.
Shakira subsequently reinforced the notion of sharing responsibilities with those who are deserving and obligated to do so.
“Why not share the load with people who deserve to carry it, who have a duty to carry it as well?” the singer said.
Shakira further elaborated on her thoughts regarding beauty ideals, saying: “Of course, I’d put on my mascara and straighten my hair occasionally.
“It felt sexy, and I used that raw sensuality many times on stage as a way of expressing myself.
“But I think I rely on other aptitudes rather than just beauty.”
Allure’s cover story follows a recent interview where, appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote her new album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran [Women No Longer Cry], Shakira got brutally honest about her ex Piqué.
She told Jimmy: “I’ve been putting out music here and there, but I think it was really hard for me to put together a body of work.
“I didn’t have time. It was the husband factor.
“Now I’m husband-less.”
The Colombian star, who was in a relationship with the Spanish footballer for 11 years, added: “The husband was dragging me down. Now I’m free! Now I can actually work!”
Shakira's remarks about Barbie sparked backlash, with many people saying she missed the point of the movie
