On March 22, Shakira will release her 12th studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran—her first album in seven years. Fans are thrilled to listen to the Colombian pop star's long-awaited follow-up to 2017's, El Dorado. What they might not realize, however, is why it took so long between her 11th and 12th albums: her former partner, Gerard Piqué.
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Shakira, 47, and Gerard, 37, announced their separation in June 2022, after 11 years together. They share two children, Sasha, 9, and Milan, 11. And recently, the "Hips Don't Lie" singer dished on the sacrifices she made in her career during her relationship with Gerard.
Shakira admitted she sacrificed too much when she and Gerard were together.
During an interview with The Times published on March 16, Shakira opened up about how she prioritized her then-partner's professional life over her own musical aspirations. "For a long time I put my career on hold, to be next to Gerard, so he could play football," she told the publication. "There was a lot of sacrifice for love."
The pop star previously opened up about her sacrifices.
In September 2022, shortly after Shakira and her ex announced their split, the pop star explained how she put her career on hold and lived in Barcelona, Spain, so Piqué could play for FC Barcelona.
"I put my career in second gear and I came to Spain, to support him so he could play football and win titles. And it was a sacrifice of love," Shakira told Elle. "Thanks to that, my kids were able to have a present mom, and I have this amazing bond with them that is unbreakable and that sustains us. You know, that is it. That’s all I can say."
Shakira also pointed out a major difference between singers and athletes.
Additionally, Shakira shared an important difference between an artist and an athlete that can make them incompatible.
"Empathy is key in an artist’s work. An athlete is in a constant state of war and has to avoid empathy at all costs," she told The Times. "That’s why it’s probably a really bad idea for an artist to hook up with an athlete."
In her new album, she makes notable digs at her ex.
Shakira's 12th studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women No Longer Cry) helped her "exorcise a lot of the demons that were tormenting me," she told The Times. Her track, "BZRP Music Sessions #53," declared, "I’m too good for you and that’s why you’re with someone just like you.” Elsewhere, she sings of Gerard: "So much time at the gym. But maybe work out your brain a bit too."
Shakira also shared how she found out her partner was cheating on her.
According to reports, Shakira suspected Gerard was cheating thanks to a jar of strawberry jam. The pop star reportedly returned home from traveling when she noticed someone had eaten jam in their fridge—and neither her partner nor her sons like jam. Shakira seemingly hinted at this in the music video for "Te Felicito" when she opened a refrigerator to reveal a severed head.
Meanwhile, Shakira is reportedly dating Julian Edelman.
Today, Shakira has moved on in her romantic life. The "Whenever, Wherever" songstress is reportedly dating retired NFL player Julian Edelman. In February, Julian and Shakira posed together in a photo shared via Instagram from her birthday party.
