Interview Quotes

The Healing Power of Music

"I had to pick up the pieces of myself and then put them all back together and music was the glue."

— Shakira • 00:00:00

"I heal through this music and I’m still healing... music has definitely played a very therapeutic role. I said that when I write music it’s like going to the shrink, only cheaper."

— Shakira • 00:06:51

"Pain makes you more humane. And the artistic experience of being able to take that pain and transform it into something else—that is an opportunity and a luxury that us artists have."

— Shakira • 00:16:32

Growth, Motherhood, and Resilience

"Life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade."

— Shakira • 00:05:43

"No one should tell any woman how she’s supposed to heal and lick her wounds... I know our mothers and grandmothers, people would tell them to hide their tears, conceal their feelings in front of their children and in front of society... but now things are different."

— Shakira • 00:26:01

"It’s better to trust and see and find yourself betrayed than never to trust... there’s always a lot more to look forward to."

— Shakira • 00:15:35

"I think for ages society and even ourselves have enjoyed putting ourselves in the role of victims and it's very unproductive. It's better to just look forward and look ahead and embrace your vulnerability but turn it into creativity."

— Shakira • 00:36:25

Artistic Evolution

"I feel that my voice keeps changing over the years... I feel that I have evolved and my voice has changed so much. It has thickened out and also stylistically I think that I have matured."

— Shakira • 00:09:47

"I don't have to pretend. I don't have to pretend to be something that I'm not... I've tried to keep spontaneity as much as I can in my music and to make a genuine career."

— Shakira • 00:32:05

"I think friendship lasts longer than love... I might not grow old with a partner but I will grow old maybe surrounded by good friends."

— Shakira • 00:44:33