Discuss the Latin Pop Star.

Shakira VH1 Article: http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1517607/12...equestid=316034

Shakira, Sean Paul, Pussycat Dolls Warm Up December Night At Jingle Ball
'Laguna Beach' cast, Rihanna also featured at concert for Los Angeles' KIIS-FM listeners.
by Brandee J. Tecson
Shakira performs at KIIS-FM's Jingle Ball Tuesday (Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - It may have been a brisk December evening in Southern California, but with Shakira, Sean Paul, Frankie J, Chris Brown, Rihanna and the Pussycat Dolls working to heat up the stage at KIIS-FM's Jingle Ball on Tuesday, there wasn't a case of winter blues to be found at the Shrine Auditorium, where thousands of KIIS Club VIPs packed the sold-out show.
Headliner Shakira generated the most commotion as she took the stage straight after jetting in from the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas (see "Green Day And 50 Cent Dominate Billboard Music Awards"). The pint-sized powerhouse, who donned a black and gray tank tied at the waist to show off her most-wanted abs and tight black pants to highlight those signature dance moves, closed out the show with her husky vocals and sultry shimmies, belting out tunes including "Hey You," from her new album, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, and "La Tortura." Shakira slowed the pace down midway through by launching into a haunting rendition of "Underneath Your Clothes," from her 2001 English-language breakthrough, Laundry Service, and ended with her latest single, "Don't Bother." While her half-hour set was cut short, the Colombian crooner returned to the stage and did an encore of two more songs before disappearing into the night.
R&B newcomer Chris Brown proved why he was the new face to watch as he easily ran through his four-song set to screams from many young ladies. The suave crooner arrived less than an hour before he was set to hit the stage, coming straight from the awards show in Las Vegas as well. Brown, who wore a black sweatshirt with a portrait of late rapper Notorious B.I.G. airbrushed on the front, performed tracks from his debut self-titled LP including "Gimme That," "Run It!" and his latest single, "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)."
Pussycat Dolls were among Brown's many female admirers, spilling to MTV News that they were most looking forward to seeing the debonair youngster perform live. Appropriately for the holiday celebration, some members donned festive candy-cane-striped belly shirts and red-and-green capri pants. It's been quite a year for PCD, who were just newcomers at KIIS-FM's Wango Tango back in May (see "Old Meets New As Gwen, Ciara, Simple Plan, Peas, J. Lo Rock Wango Tango"). With two hit songs behind them, the girls returned to the stage like seasoned pros. The group performed four songs including their singles "Don't Cha" and "Stickwitu," along with "Wait a Minute," a serious contender for their next single, the Dolls revealed.
Frankie J scored one of the night's highlights by bringing out longtime friend and surprise guest Baby Bash to accompany him on live renditions of hits "Suga Suga" and "Obsession (No Es Amor)." Decked out in stylish evening wear fit for the occasion - a black blazer over a slightly unbuttoned black dress shirt, jeans and shades - Frankie J was in the mood to celebrate on the eve of his 27th birthday. "I'm going to rock the show, and then at midnight, we're going to party," he boasted before his performance. Frankie made a lucky young lady's night when he handpicked her from the crowd to serenade with his hit "How to Deal," and drew screams of approval from fans as he closed with "Don't Wanna Try" and his cover of Extreme's "More Than Words."

Rihanna opened the show with an energetic set that included "Pon De Replay" and "If It's Lovin' That You Want," while the cast of MTV's "Laguna Beach" mingled with dozens of star-struck teens in between acts, posing for photos and signing autographs with throngs of fans.
And the Laguna posse wasn't above some good-natured ribbing, as KIIS DJs Ryan Seacrest and Ellen K. grilled Talan Torriero on his 11-day engagement to Kimberly Stewart. Seacrest pried for details on the proposal itself, but the reality-show star swiftly dodged the question, only opting to reveal that it took place at his home in Laguna. Meanwhile, Seacrest tried to hook fan favorite Stephen (sans old girlfriend Kristin Cavalleri, who was a no-show) up with a young lady from the audience but he opted to be a good boy, only pretending to be caught in a passionate embrace with the blonde.
Dancehall king Sean Paul, who plans to spend the holidays in his home country of Jamaica after two years on the road, took home the award for most songs squeezed into a set as he breezed through nearly a dozen old and new tracks. Accompanied by his brother on the mic - as well as four bootylicious back-up dancers - Sean Paul got the crowd on its feet, opening with a handful of oldies including "Like Glue," "Gimme the Light," "I'm Still In Love With You," "Get Busy" and "Shake That Thing" from his 2002 debut LP Dutty Rock and topping off with "We Be Burnin'," "Breakout" and "Temperature" from The Trinity. Paul even threw in a couple of wild cards, channeling Beyoncé's "Baby Boy" and a portion of Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps."
http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1517607/2...equestid=211901

Pop singer Shakira looks for more balance heading into 2006
TORONTO (CP) - Colombian-born pop star Shakira handled a frenetic media blitz through the city with apparent ease Tuesday but admitted she hopes to slow the pace a little in the new year.
"I want to modify certain things in my life," said the famously curvy 28-year-old in the back of her SUV on her way to a live MuchMusic TV appearance after a day of back-to-back interviews. "For example, the pacing and the rhythm of the way I handle my career ... just how I take things so intensely - that I work more hours than I should be working. Next year of course I'll be on tour, but I just want to find some balance in my life."
Wearing a black jacket, skirt, boots and puffy vest with a fur-trimmed hood, Shakira was dressed well for the city's frigid -10 temperature. And although she prefers warmer climates, like the Bahamas where she now lives with her fiance, Antonio De La Rua, she embraced the winter.
"It's nice to see some snow," she said with a laugh. "There's something magical about the purity of white snow."
More than a dozen Shakira fans shrugged off the chill, waiting outside the CHUM-City building for hours to get a glimpse of the songstress, who won an American Music Award win for favourite Latin artist last month.
"She's worth it," said Whitby, Ont., resident Yvonne Melendez, 22, whose sister lined up at 8 a.m. for a chance to get a wristband to get inside for the interview.
"She has the best songs, she's a good writer, she writes from her heart, she's hot and she represents the Latin community."
Shakira was in the city to promote her new album, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, which recently scooped a Grammy nomination for best Latin rock/alternative album.
The 11-track disc is the counterpart to the June release of Fijacion Oral, Vol. 1, her first Spanish-language album in seven years.
Shakira said De La Rua was her "muse" throughout the writing process, during which she penned 60 tracks for both albums.
"These songs are not only about my relationship with him, but also about my inner monsters as well that I've learned to exorcise through these songs and through writing them."
The first single off Oral Fixation, Don't Bother, sets the tone for the album with its 1980s-inspired synth beats and Shakira's emotionally-driven lyrics about having to compete with other women for her man.
"It's based on that inner fear that I think that every woman that I know has felt, including me, of maybe feeling threatened by the idea of a superior woman who's either taller, fitter, or prettier," said the svelte singer, admitting her New Year's resolution is to "hit the gym."
Oral Fixation is Shakira's first English-language album in four years, after her English breakthrough album Laundry Service.
The 2001 record went triple-platinum with such hits as Whenever, Wherever and Underneath Your Clothes.

Shakira Visits MuchMusic: http://www.filmmagic.com/ItemListing.aspx?cgl=153885&evntI=0

Shakira to Sell Her Miami Beach Mansion
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Shakira wants more space and has put her 6,500- square-foot Florida mansion on the market, her real estate agent said Friday.
The waterfront property in an exclusive area of Miami Beach has views of Biscayne Bay. The asking price is $5.9 million. The singer bought the home in 2001 for $3.38 million, said Jorge Uribe of Sol Sotheby's International Realty. The house has five bedrooms, six-and-half bathrooms, a pool and a dock. Uribe said Shakira plans to stay in the swanky neighborhood, which also is home to singer Ricky Martin and actor Matt Damon.

I love her she is my favorite latin singer her songs are catchy

Shakira's got good music. She had a former Power Ranger in her "Objection" video.

I saw that but what is really cool is look at the 4 letters in her name the letters are the same when Emma lahana played Kira

Shakira Valentine’s Day: http://www.sonymusic.com/clips/selection/f...nesDay_smil.mov

Shakira - Robbie Williams, Fame and Beauty
2006-03-12 10:37:16
Shakira Found Fame To Beat Poverty.
Latina singer SHAKIRA credits her poverty-stricken childhood with inspiring her to find fame and fortune.
The WHEREVER, WHENEVER was outraged during her childhood when her father's business collapsed and her family was left with nothing.
The Colombian star was eight-years-old when the family lost their livelihood overnight.
She says, "My father even sold the air conditioners. I was so pissed (angry).
I thought they were doing it on purpose."
In response to her youthful outrage, Shakira's parents took her to a local park filled with homeless children to convince her to be grateful for what she had.
She adds, "These children had no food. They sniffed glue to bear the cold nights.
"It moved me so much that at that very moment, I took up a mandate to succeed in life."
In other news the Colombian pop beauty SHAKIRA has laughed off reports she is dating British hitmaker ROBBIE WILLIAMS.
The pair were spotted stepping out in Los Angeles last month (FEB06), even turning up at the Grammy Awards ceremony together.
But Shakira, who has been engaged to ANTONIO DE LA RUA since 2001, insists they are no more than pals.
She says, "Robbie's a really nice guy, a beautiful person.
"We hung out a bit in Los Angeles, but we're really just friends."
The singer goes on to say she has fired her five-person "glam-squad", after deciding she had become too obsessed with her appearance.
The stunning singer once never went travelling without her beauty entourage, but felt that she was helping to promote unrealistic body images.
She says the female beauty craze has become "pathological," adding, " some kind of obsessive compulsion with becoming the perfect woman - not a 10, but an 11.
"It's about matching these images that pop culture puts in front of you.
"I feel like sometimes I've been both a victim of that and a victimiser, and it's not a good feeling, let me tell you."
http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/150412004.htm

WATCH SHAKIRA'S #1 "HIPS DON'T LIE" VIDEO -- FEATURING FANS ONLY!
We asked if you wanted to be in a new Shakira video, and you delivered! Shakira's FANS-ONLY version of her "Hips Don't Lie" Video is the #1 Streamed Video on Yahoo! If you haven't seen this yet, take a minute right now to watch it. You'll be glad you did. Check it out right here. http://music.yahoo.com/ar-263793-videos--Shakira "Hips Don't Lie" will become available on Oral Fixation Vol. 2 by March 28th. Fans who already have Oral Fixation Vol. 2, will be able to download "Hips Don't Lie" in Shakira's Virtual Club, and Verizon Wireless customers can now download the full-length song for free, over the air, and straight to VCAST Music phones! Find out more at Shakira.com

Shakira Photos Link: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-263793-photos--Shakira

Shakira gets a statue in hometown
Shakira, the queen of Latin American pop music, is to be immortalised with a five-metre iron statue in her home city on Colombia's Caribbean coast.
The statue was designed by German sculptor Dieter Patt, who decided to make the likeness of Shakira after meeting the singer during her world tour.
The sculpture, which took more than a year to complete, weighs about five tonnes.
It has arrived in Barranquilla, 700 km north of Colombia's capital Bogota.
"When the people look at this sculpture I want them not to think of me but think of every young girl from Barranquilla who is working toward her dreams," said Shakira when she was shown the statue in November.
Colombian music is experiencing a boom in popularity, with the singers Juanes and Shakira attracting millions of fans throughout the world.

Chavez welcomes Shakira to Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez welcomed Colombian pop 
singer Shakira to his country on Saturday and said he may go 
undercover to watch the hip-shaking superstar perform. 

"Shakira's arrived. ... Welcome, Shakira," Chavez said during a 
televised speech.

Chavez said that the other day he'd put on a wig and not even his 
bodyguards had been able to recognize him. "Maybe I'll put on a wig 
and go see Shakira," he quipped.

Shakira, who last month was nominated for five Latin Grammy awards, 
is traveling on her worldwide "Oral Fixation" tour and was set to 
perform Saturday evening in Caracas.

Chavez, who says he is leading a socialist revolution in Venezuela, 
frequently criticizes what he calls the onslaught of major 
multinationals and U.S.-style capitalism on traditional Venezuelan 
culture.

But he appeared to have little concerns about the international pop 
diva, who is backed by music labels Sony BMG Music Entertainment and 
Epic Records, calling her "sister of this great Latin American 
homeland."

He said he had given special authorization for an airfield in 
central Caracas, normally reserved solely for government use, to be 
used as a venue for her concert.


Shakira's New "Illegal" Video Premieres This Thursday!
Shakira just wrapped a video in Mexico City for her next single, "Illegal," from Oral Fixation Vol. 2. Look for it to premiere on MTV's TRL this Thursday, November 16th! Then look for it online at MTV.com later that day!
Shakira Nominated for Two People's Choice Awards
Shakira earned nominations in the categories of "Female Singer" & "Pop Song (Hips Don't Lie)." The 33rd Annual People's Choice Awards will be broadcast on CBS from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 9th, 2007.
Tour News
Up next for Shakira is a South American tour through the new year with stops in Columbia, Argentina, Panama, Chile, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Ecuador and more. Shakira finished her sold out North American tour in late September and recently added three Miami dates on December 6-7, 9, 2006. Get all the latest details in the tour section at www.shakira.com!

Shakira Welcomed Home in Colombia
Fans unveiled a six-ton statue of Colombian pop diva Shakira in this 
port city on Wednesday, hours before a festive benefit concert 
organized by its favorite daughter.

Proceeds from the show, part of Shakira's worldwide Oral Fixation 
tour, will go to build an arts school for 1,800 children displaced 
by Colombia's civil war.

Speaking with journalists, the visibly moved singer said arriving in 
her Caribbean hometown after months on the road felt like returning 
to her mother's embrace.

"Barranquilla is the big breast that fed and nurtured me as a human 
being, a woman and an artist," said the 28-year old performer, who 
dominated the 2006 Latin Grammys this month with five 
awards. "Returning is a chance to be with all the people from whom I 
learned and to pay homage to my roots."

Earlier, at the stadium where Wednesday's concert will be held, a 
cornet-led band, carnival dance troupe and 3,000 fans joined 
Shakira's father for the unveiling of a 15-foot iron statue of her 
likeness made and donated by a German fan.

"It's a great day for the people of Barranquilla, " said sculptor 
Dieter Patt. "I've never seen the city as moved or as happy as when 
the statue was unveiled."

The hip-shaking international superstar will share the stage 
Wednesday night with several of her Colombian musical idols from the 
world of salsa and accordion-heavy cumbia and vallenato music, 
before a sold-out crowd of 40,000.

The concert is a fundraiser for Shakira's decade-old foundation Pies 
Descalzos _ Spanish for "bare feet" _ which is building an English 
and Spanish bilingual school for the arts.

The school will be located in La Playa, a poor suburb of 
Barranquilla where 45 percent of the residents are minors and only 
about half of them attend school.

Opening in 2008, it will be the sixth school funded by Shakira to 
benefit victims of a half-century of conflict between leftist 
rebels, far-right militias and the Colombian military.

"Starting when I was 15, I'd go every Friday with schoolmates to 
teach children how to read," said Shakira. "I never imagined those 
childhood emotions would one day give birth to such a significant 
project." 


Shakira immortalized as a statue in her hometown
Colombian pop diva Shakira has been immortalised in the form of a 
statue in her hometown. The statue unveiled by her father is 4.5 
metres tall, and weighs around six tons. Shakira returned to the city 
of Barranquilla on November 15, to perform at a festival benefit 
concert that she organised to raise money for an arts school for 
children displaced by civil war in the South American country. The 28-
year old 'Whenever Wherever' singer also paid a tribute to the city by 
likening it to her mother. "Barranquilla is the big breast that fed 
and nurtured me as a human being, a woman and an artist," Contactmusic 
quoted her as saying. "Returning is a chance to be with all the people 
from whom I learned and to pay homage to my roots," she added. 
Shakira's statue was made and donated by German sculptor, Dieter Patt. 


Shakira Wins an American Music Award!
Shakira won 'Best Latin Artist' at last night's American Music Awards!

Shakira Nominated for Two People's Choice Awards - VOTE FOR HER!
Shakira earned nominations in the categories of "Female Singer" & "Pop Song (Hips Don't Lie)." The 33rd Annual People's Choice Awards will be broadcast on CBS from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 9th, 2007. CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR HER!
http://www.pcavote.com/vote/index.jsp

Shakira Pics: http://boloround.wordpress.com/2006/11/26/shakira/

Beyonce wants to work with Latin singer Shakira
Beyonce wants to work with Latin singer Shakira, relates Reality 
Magazine. 

Beyonce Knowles has revealed that she'd love to work with Latin 
firecracker Shakira - and has even penned a song for what looks set 
to be one of the most glamorous pairings in pop. 

"I have a song written for her," confirms the bootylicious singer, 
who admits she's a big fan of her Colombian counterpart. 

"I've met her a couple of times, she's so sweet and genuine," 
Beyonce says of Shakira. "She's talented, she's a rounded artist." 

"No-one else sounds like her, she has her own style - she is an 
entertainer, " adds the singer, who admits that she even went to one 
of Shakira's live shows recently. 

Beyonce, who is set to begin her own solo world tour early next year 
says coyly: "We've been talking about it, but she is on tour right 
now. Everyone wants a sneak peak!" 

But who knows when fans can expect the pair's proposed duet, which 
will surely be a hip-shaking extravaganza. 


Shakira Gets Keys to Miami
This metropolis, a major hub of Latino culture, gave Shakira the 
keys to the city after hailing the Colombian songstress for 
admirably representing Hispanics as she tours the globe.

"It is a great pleasure and honor to bestow this recognition on an 
artist who broke all records by selling out five concerts at 
American Airlines Arena and one who so well represents all Latinos 
all over the world," said Mayor Manny 
Diaz during the Wednesday afternoon key-presentation ceremony.

"I remember how, years ago, I had the intuition that Miami would be 
a great city 
in my artistic success," said the singer in accepting the honor. She 
said she 
shared the recognition "especially with the artistic community of 
Miami, which 
rises early for work and of which I am proud to form part."

The 29-year-old pop music superstar also said she would slow down 
next year, 
taking at least six months off to rest. She only laughed when asked 
if some of 
that time might go to preparing a wedding with her Argentine 
companion, Antonio 
de la Rua, the son of a former president of that country.


Shakira Pics: http://boloround.wordpress.com/2006/12/11/shakira-2/

Shakira Prepares Wedding
Details revealed about her prenuptial agreement and desire to become 
a mother. 

Last week, the Argentine newspaper Clarín revealed details about the 
prenuptial agreement that popular Colombian singer Shakira is making 
her partner, Antonio de la Rúa, sign and also confirmed the artist's 
desire to become a mother soon. 

"Shakira has already made the decision to marry Antonio de la Rúa," 
said the newspaper, adding that "when she was on tour in Buenos Aires she also said that her wishes to become a mother are getting 
more and more intense." 

According to the article, and in the style of the biggest stars, 
Shakira asked that a prenuptial contract be prepared in which 
Antonio would renounce any right to the fortune she has earned over 
the course of her career, avoiding possible future problems. 

"When you're very much in love you have plenty of people giving you 
advice, and none of them wants to see what happened to Paul 
McCartney happen to her," the article says at the end. 

It is worth noting that days ago, Shakira presented the ALAS 
Foundation in Panama's Teatro Nacional, bringing together fifty 
artists and businesspeople from the record industry who will help 
fight against juvenile malnutrition and hunger in Latin America. 

According to Shakira herself, the ALAS Foundation, which stands for 
América Latina en Acción Solidaria (Latin America in Solidary 
Action,) will put on four concerts in 2007 in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and New York. 

These concerts aim at raising 200 million dollars to aid child-
support programs in collaboration with the United Nations Children's 
Fund, UNICEF, technical advisor to the project. 

The pro-child shows, whose dates are to be confirmed, will take 
place in the second half of 2007. 

"We're committed to doing something big in Latin America," said 
Spanish singer Miguel Bosé, who noted that every 90 seconds a child 
dies in Latin America just because he or she was born poor. 

The ALAS Foundation will start operating formally in January 2007 in 
the "Ciudad del Saber" (City of Knowledge,) an academic center and 
base for international bodies located on a former US military base 
along the Panama Canal. 

"ALAS came about because of a social emergency: 350 thousand 
children die each year due to avoidable causes, 40 million children 
work and live on the streets," said Shakira, this charitable 
project's principal promoter. 

"We want an active Latin America, that doesn't give up, united for 
our children," the artist commented. 


Shakira Pics: http://boloround.wordpress.com/2006/12/29/shakira-3/

Beyonce Teams Up With Shakira For 'B'Day' Re-Release
Bootylicious Beyonce has teamed up with Latin-America' s hip swinging 
singer Shakira for a cut on the Spanish-language re-release of her 
latest album "B'Day."

The two recently recorded together according to an interview Beyonce 
gave Spanish language television channel Univision. The only song from 
the two womens' session expected on the re-release is a cut 
called "Beautiful Liar."

Three other Spanish language tracks will be featured on the album.

Beyonce will be embarking on a world tour later this year. Auditions 
for her back up dancers reached her hometown of Houston, Texas last 
weekend.


Beyonce: "Why I'm Duetting with Shakira"
Beyonce has revealed details of her highly anticipated duet with 
Shakira.

Talking to MTV, the 'Deja Vu' diva said she loved every minute of 
working with the swivel-hipped star on their new track, 'Beautiful 
Liar'.

"I've always loved her and I've always wanted to work with her and 
the song fits perfectly," she said. 

"It basically talks about two women; the same guy is trying to get 
at both of them but instead of them fighting, they're saying, `He's 
a beautiful liar, let's not fight, let's stick together – forget 
him!' I think it's a great concept."

The track will feature on the re-issued version of Beyonce's latest 
album, 'B'Day'.

The singer also revealed she's recorded brand new promos for five of 
the tracks on the long-player - which could see all those fans 
incensed by her Deja Vu video (they didn't like Bey's dance 
routines, costumes or the flashing imagery!) finally placated with 
an easier-on-the- eye offering.

Bey said, "(The reissue) is a dual disc – there's music on one disc 
and videos on the DVD. 

"I'm doing five new videos so I'll have a video for every song and 
I'm actually starting on those videos (this week) and doing them all 
in seven days which is really crazy. I think it's a great concept 
because people can see my interpretations of the songs when they 
were written."

The busy lady, in the UK last night (January 21) for the premier of 
her Oscar-tipped new flick Dreamgirls, is also in preparations for 
her B'Day world tour which kicks off on April 30 in Frankfurt.

And it's going to be a totally girl power event by all accounts. 

"This tour is exciting as I have an all-female band," she 
explained. "I held worldwide auditions and women from all around the 
world came to five different cities. I narrowed thousands of women 
down to ten and didn't go through agencies because I know there are 
lots of people who don't have agents. 

"It took a lot of time but I found the most incredible women. I 
start rehearsing in three weeks and I'm so in love with performing. 
I love going on tour and seeing fans we've had for almost 10 years."


Shakira Sick Of Freezing Europe
Latina pop star Shakira can't wait to get home after the European leg 
of her Oral Fixation tour - because she finds the continent too cold.

The Hips Don't Lie hitmaker insists she's enjoyed meeting with people 
from cultures so different to her own, but can't stand the winter's 
freezing temperatures.

She says, "It is fantastic to connect with so many people on this 
tour."

"I've learned so much about this continent and its people but it is 
freezing.

"I do expect to have a lot of fun on stage though, just like I did 
last night."

Shakira's first European gig was in Hamburg, Germany, on Thursday.


Shakira To Make First Time Peformance At Grammy's
The recording academy announced Tuesday that Grammy nominee Shakira 
will perform for the first time at the Grammy's along with fellow 
nominee Wyclef jean. 

Current nominees Chris Brown, Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson will 
take the stage in a special Grammy moment segment paying tribute to 
the tradition of great male R&B artists.Nominees Rascal Flatts will 
perform with previously announced nominee Carrie Underwood in a 
tribute to country rock on the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Also, new 
presenters added to the all-star lineup include current nominee 
Natasha Bedingfield, current nominee and 12-time Grammy winner Tony 
Bennett, current nominee comedian Lewis Black, Academy Award winner 
Nicolas Cage, current Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Ornette 
Coleman, two-time Grammy Award winner LeAnn Rimes, current nominee 
Nicole Scherzinger (of the Pussycat Dolls), three-time Grammy winner 
Seal, and actor David Spade. 

The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, 
Feb. 11, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be on the CBS 
Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)

Previously announced performers include Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, 
Mary J. Blige, the Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, John Legend, 
Ludacris, John Mayer, Corinne Bailey Rae, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, 
Justin Timberlake (solo performance and with the winner of the "My 
Grammy Moment" competition) , the Police, and Carrie Underwood. 
Previously announced presenters include Joan Baez, The Black Eyed 
Peas, Ciara, Nelly Furtado, Terrence Howard, Samuel L. Jackson, 
Pink, Rihanna, Chris Rock, and Stevie Wonder. 

Two-time Grammy-winning and seven-time Latin Grammy-winning 
international sensation Shakira and three-time Grammy winner Wyclef 
Jean are nominated for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for "Hips 
Don't Lie." Newcomer Chris Brown has two nods: Best New Artist and 
Best Contemporary R&B Album for Chris Brown. Four-time Grammy winner 
Lionel Richie is up for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "I Call 
It Love," and Best R&B Album for Coming Home. Grammy winner and 
music legend Smokey Robinson is nominated for Best Traditional Pop 
Vocal Album for Timeless Love. Country music sensation Rascal Flatts 
is up for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal 
for "What Hurts The Most."

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & 
Sciences, Inc., also known as The Recording Academy, is an 
organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording 
professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition 
and quality of life for music and its makers. 


Shakira To Perform at the GRAMMYS!
For the first time in GRAMMY history, international sensation and current nominee Shakira will perform with fellow nominee Wyclef Jean at the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards that are set to take place on Sunday, Feb. 11 on CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). This is also the first time that Shakira is up for a GRAMMY. Shakira and Wyclef have been nominated for Best Pop Collaboration for "Hips Don't Lie."

2006 Was The Year of Shakira! Thank You For All The Support!
This past year was certainly Shakira's year! She's received various accolades for her hit single "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean and for her albums Fijacion Oral Volume 1 and Oral Fixation Volume 2. The single "Hips Don't Lie" hit #1 in 18 countries. It also set the record for the most plays in one week on Pop radio. Nielsen BDS reports that Shakira's "Hips" video topped the music video Internet streams list for 2006 with 50,494,051 streams - nearly 3 times as many plays as the No. 2 video. "Hips" sold over 2,000,000 ringtones, a feat only accomplished by 5 artists ever. "Hips" (Fans only version) was the first fan video done with Yahoo! Music, and together the two versions of the video were number one on Yahoo! Music for 4 months in 2006. She was awarded 6 Latin Billboard Awards, 5 Latin Grammys, 2 ALMA awards, 1 MTV Video Music Award and 2007 has already started off on a high note with Shakira taking home the 33rd Annual People's Choice Award for Favorite Pop Song for her hit "Hip's Don't Lie" on January 9th. She couldn't have done it without her fans!

Wyclef is NUTS for Shakira
All that booty-shaking was a little too much for Wyclef to handle at 
last night's Grammy performance. 

The former Fugee couldn't keep his hands off of himself during the 
erotic performance -- grabbing his package every chance he could.

As 'Clef and Shakira belted out their hit, "Hips Don't Lie," Wyclef 
adjusted his junk at least eight times on live television.

Richard Simmons would be so proud!


Shakira "Thrilled" To Work With Beyonce
Shakira's got nothing but 'amor' for superstar Beyonce Knowles.

The singers recently came together for the duet "Beautiful Liar," 
which will appear on an upcoming re-issue of "B'day." The new 
version comes with a new twist: 6 songs in Spanish, which, according 
to Shakira, Beyonce handled like a pro.

Shakira told MTV, "(Beyonce) has a very good accent when she sings 
in Spanish and I think anything that she wants to do she will do 
just fine, because she is a very determined and focused woman and 
that is something to admire. She is a great artist."

She added, "I am very happy and very excited about (working with 
Bey). I have just finished shooting a video with her. It was a 
fantastic experience to work with her, to get to know her as the 
great artist that she is. 

"She is an amazing performer and also a sweet person and a very nice 
human being and I am so thrilled and thankful for her invitation. It 
was her idea to make me a part of her album and it has been 
wonderful."

Shakira Picture: http://www.teenpeople.com/teenpeople/galle...5909_6,00.shtml

Shakira: I'm no Britney
Shakira and Britney Spears are not rivals and no tension exists 
between the pair, according to the Columbian star.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the singer turned global superstar 
blamed the media for comparing the two postars.

"People say Britney and I are alike because we're both blonde, petite 
and we started in this business very young," said Shakira. "But we're 
two very different artists. I don't hate or despise her like people 
make out."

She also made a sensation confession about her appearance in her teen 
years. 

"I was a fat teenager. When I look at old pictures, all I can see are 
these chubby cheeks. My hair was deep black, I wore black clothes and 
I always wore a crucifix. I was a Goth."

UN bonding brings Jolie and Shakira together
Actress Angelina Jolie and singer Shakira have reportedly become 
good friends after finding a common ground working for the United 
Nations.

Jolie is a goodwill ambassador for the UN's refugee agency and the 
Latino star is a representative for UNICEF (United Nations 
Children's Fund).

Both the stars have established charity organisations to contribute 
to the respective fields they are associated with.

A pal of Jolie's said that it is surprising that the two did not 
become friends earlier because they have a lot in common.

"They have so much in common, we can't believe they didn't become 
buddies sooner," Contactmusic quoted the friend, as saying.

The friend also added that Shakira has set up children's charity in 
her home country, Colombia, and that the two exchange tips on 
fundraising.

"Shakira loves kids and runs a children's charity in her home 
country so they have been swapping tips on fundraising, " the friend 
added.

Shakira to marry in Dominican Republic this September
Colombian pop star Shakira is finally getting married to Antonio de 
la Rua, her fianc, of seven years, in September this year.

The 'Hips Don't Lie' singer and De la Rua have been engaged for 7 
years, and even though they've been living together, her fans have 
long awaited their wedding.

The famous singer's wedding will take place in her mansion located 
in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, reports the Mirror.

The exact date of the marriage was not revealed by the couple, but 
several indications point to a September ceremony.

Meanwhile Shakira, who is currently on her 'Oral Fixation' world 
tour, recently gave a powerhouse performance for 50,000 fans in 
Mexico City.

The Beautiful Liar babe has so far given 119 concerts on the Oral 
Fixation Tour, attracting around two million fans.

The tour closes on June 9 with a show in Istanbul and once 
concluded, Shakira has said she wants to take time off from 
performing.


Shakira Picture: http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20039309_14,00.html

Shakira Breaks Mexico City Record
Latina singer Shakira has broken the record for the largest audience 
at a public concert in Mexico City, after more than 200,000 fans 
flocked to watch her. The Beautiful Liar star, who recently announced 
she is to wed her fiancé Antonio De La Rua in September, achieved her 
world record after performing to the huge audience in Zocalo Square on 
Sunday.

She told the crowd, "This has been a month of absolute joy. I have fed 
off you, and I leave with my heart full."

The previous record was held by local band Café Tacuba, who drew an 
audience of 170,000 fans in 2005.


Shakira Takes Break From Music, Turns to Acting
Shakira is looking to take a long, long break -- at least from 
music -- according to insiders who work with the multi-Grammy-
winning, international singing star. She just wrapped her Oral 
Fixation tour with a record-breaking concert in Plaza Del Zocalo, 
Mexico. She did some 111 dates in Europe, America, Africa and Asia, 
and her rep says she isn't even thinking about her next album at 
this point. Not that she needs to. Her 2005 CD, "Oral Fixation Vol. 
2," has sold more than eight million copies worldwide, and she's 
also currently on the top of the charts with "Beautiful Liar," her 
duet with Beyonce.

Shakira Takes Break From Music, Turns to Acting 

Now the sexy Colombian singer appears ready to give her acting chops 
a workout. Although she is not attached to Alfonso Arau's "Dare to 
Love Me" feature about 1920s tango legend Carlos Gardel -- as has 
been erroneously reported -- she was recently in active discussions 
for a role in a Mike Nichols film. As things turned out, she 
couldn't do it because of her tour schedule. Now she's back to 
looking at scripts.

The right director is a must, she feels. "Usually singers are good 
interpreters, but not good actors," she said a while back, "so you 
need to get with a good actors' director. I would have to if the day 
comes when I do acting."

Hmmm. A blonde Latina bombshell with an international built-in fan 
base? Yes, that rumbling sound you hear is Hollywood beating a path 
to Shakira's door.

MADNESS TO HER METHOD: Gabrielle Anwar tells us she got herself into 
trouble experimenting with method acting recently, but clams up fast 
when asked for details. The beautiful English actress, who's also in 
Showtime's "The Tudors" series, plays Fiona, a former IRA terrorist, 
in USA Network's June 28-debuting drama, "Burn Notice." She 
recounts, "I took it upon myself to see what would happen if I 
really did believe I was a fearless IRA terrorist and started 
staying in character at the end of the day."

The show shoots in Florida, where Anwar says, "I started staying at 
the notorious Shore Club Hotel in South Beach, which is inevitably 
troublesome, and some days I wasn't exactly sure whether I woke up 
as Fiona or Gabrielle. I think there were a couple of instances 
where I was making choices that would not have come from a single 
mother of three living in a mountain community in California." Like 
what, for instance? "Things that I will never, ever tell you," she 
says with a wicked laugh, then adds, "Now I'm quite happy leaving my 
character with my costume and my shoes when I go home at the end of 
the day. It's called acting."

"Burn Notice" stars Jeffrey Donovan as a blacklisted Special Ops 
agent who uses his training to find the reason he's been fired, as 
well as to help people who can't go to the police. The troupe is 
only on episode three of a 12-episode commitment, and Anwar 
says, "being away from my children is the toughest part" of Florida 
location shooting. "They're 13, 6 and 3. My oldest could care less 
whether I'm on this side of the country, but my little ones are 
struggling. Once they're out of school they'll join me." She says 
she's missing them terribly but couldn't see uprooting them. "They 
have soccer practice, ballet … and they're very attached to their 
father, who's very loving. At some point it's a question of are you 
taking them for your own benefit instead of theirs?"