Shakira says she sees happiness as a luxury and isn't convinced it's for everyone
- Shakira opened up about her life after her split with Gerard Piqué in a Billboard interview.
- The singer spoke candidly about her personal and professional struggles as a working single mom of two.
Shakira opened up about her life after her split with soccer player Gerard Piqué in a Billboard interview on Thursday.
The singer spoke candidly about her struggles juggling her music career as a working single mother of two. Despite seeing a revitalization of her music career, the 46-year-old found it difficult to respond when asked if she was happy.
"It's a very short question for a very long answer," Shakira told Billboard. "I don't think everyone has access to happiness. It's reserved for a very select number of people, and I can't say I'm part of the club at this moment."
Earlier this month, the singer received the Video Vanguard Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards — making her the first South American artist to earn the honor, per E Online.
She is also among the top nominees for the upcoming 2023 Latin Grammy Awards, per E Online.
Although Shakira admits that she has managed to pour her emotions into her music — and break numerous Guinness World Records along the way — she adds that "nothing can compensate for the pain of destroying a family."
"Of course, I have to keep going for my children's sake; that's my greatest motivation," Shakira told Billboard. "But my biggest dream, more than collecting platinum albums and Grammys, was to raise my sons with their father. Overcome obstacles and grow old together. I know I'm not getting that now."
And even though the singer is upfront about the emotional toll that the past year has taken on her, she believes that there will be silver linings that she can rely on.
"From there, my music has also taken new flight, and I suppose that's the way life compensates. You subtract on one end and add on the other. It's pure mathematics," Shakira told Billboard. "In my ninth life, I'll tell you what the total is."