Shakira’s name feels like it’s everywhere. She truly is an icon. It’s not just because she sings so well. Her work in TV and films helped her change. She grew past being just a pop star. She became a much bigger artist. That’s a huge part of her amazing story. But how did these roles help her grow? That’s a question worth digging into, right? Let’s explore this together now.
Where Shakira First Broke Through
Let’s rewind a bit first. We need to see Shakira’s early days. This was before her TV or film roles. She was born in Barranquilla. That’s a city in Colombia. She started writing songs really young. Performing came naturally to her early on too. Her album from 1995 was big. It was called Pies Descalzos. It sold five million copies globally. She quickly became a major Latin pop star. But honestly, she wanted something more. She aimed for more than just music fame. Back then, breaking into global markets felt hard. Especially for Latin artists. Her path was a pioneering one.
Then in 2001 came Laundry Service. This album was different. She switched to English markets then. It had massive hits we all know. Songs like Whenever, Wherever. It sold over 13 million copies worldwide. By this time, her name was everywhere. She wasn’t just a singer anymore. She really became a global force in music.
Early Television Appearances
Shakira showed up on TV pretty early. I think it was the late 1990s. She was in a telenovela called El Oasis. That show was from Colombia. Her part wasn’t the biggest there. But it started her journey into acting. It let her reach more people then. Especially across Latin America. It definitely was a good start for her.
But her TV presence grew huge later. That happened with The Voice back in 2013. She joined as a coach that season. Adam Levine and Usher were coaches too. The Voice really showed her amazing charm. It also helped grow her fan base. The show always ranks super high. It’s a top 10 show here in the U.S. Millions upon millions watch it. That kind of exposure was really key. Shakira joining the show was smart. It really helped her career change direction. She met brand new fans then. Younger ones too, which is great. I am happy to see her help new artists find their way. Her mentoring felt truly inspiring. It proved her huge respect in music circles. She certainly earned that spot on the show.
Film Roles on a Bigger Screen
She’s taken on fewer film roles. But those few roles hit hard. Zootopia in 2016 was a massive one. This was a Disney animated film. She lent her voice to Gazelle. Gazelle is a famous pop star character. A very glamorous one, if I can say so. The movie made over a billion dollars. It even won an Oscar award. For Best Animated Feature Film, you know.
Her song for the film became huge. It’s called Try Everything. She sang it with such energy. It went completely viral online. It has over 300 million YouTube views. Zootopia’s success showed her wide range. She can connect with all sorts of people. Just imagine that feeling for an artist. When both kids and adults truly love your work. It must feel pretty special, right? She seamlessly stepped into voice acting. It fit her skills perfectly. Her musicality shined through Gazelle.
The Impact on Her Music
Her TV and film work totally changed her music. It seems pretty clear now. After being on The Voice and Zootopia, she released El Dorado. That was in 2017. It shot right to number one. It topped the Billboard Latin charts fast. Lots of hits came from that album. Chantaje with Maluma is a famous one. El Dorado won a Grammy too. For Best Latin Pop Album, no less. It really cemented her place in Latin music history.
Her film work and music work together. It’s so obvious now, isn’t it? The Voice brought in brand new listeners. They were waiting for her next album. El Dorado sold half a million copies fast. Just in the first week alone. Talk about having major star power. It’s pretty amazing stuff, really. The cross-promotion was undeniable. People saw her on TV or in the movie. Then they looked for her music.
Collaborations and Growing Artistry
We absolutely have to talk about her collaborations. They are super key to her career path. She’s worked with so many different artists. Think of Beyoncé on Beautiful Liar. Or Rihanna on Can’t Remember to Forget You. These partnerships helped her reach audiences wider. She got to explore new styles of music too.
In 2020, she played the Super Bowl Halftime Show. She shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez. Over 100 million people watched live. The performance got huge praise everywhere. It powerfully showed Latina influence in media. Honestly, Shakira has always fought for that visibility. It feels like that’s just who she is. I believe her unique blend of cultures is the reason. It’s why she keeps succeeding like this. She has a special touch, you know. It keeps her relevant no matter what. She inspires so many young musicians everywhere.
Shakira’s Evolution: A Look Compared
Let’s just step back for a minute. Shakira’s journey is quite incredible. We can compare her path with other artists. Think about Jennifer Lopez again. Both started mainly in music. Both moved into acting roles. But Shakira’s focus felt different. She leaned into voice work more. And TV coaching too, clearly. J.Lo took on more leading film roles. She became a bona fide movie star.
This really highlights Shakira’s smart choices. Her steps were very strategic. She picked coaching and voice acting carefully. It kept her in the public eye. It also helped her art grow naturally. It seems to me this approach worked perfectly. These roles directly boosted her music career. Quite an impact, to be honest. It shows you can evolve strategically. You don’t have to follow one single path. A music industry executive once noted, “Shakira masterfully used non-music platforms to amplify her core brand. Her TV and film roles weren’t just side projects; they were smart marketing.”
What Might Come Next?
Looking ahead, I really wonder what’s next. You can only imagine all the possibilities, right? Streaming platforms are getting bigger. Artists have so many more ways now. They can show off their talents everywhere. She might easily do more TV or films. That wouldn’t surprise me one bit. She could create her own show maybe. Perhaps she could even star in it herself. It could be about empowering women. Or music history, or culture.
Think about folks like Pharrell Williams. Or maybe Lady Gaga for example. TV connects with people so powerfully. It’s just great for telling stories. Shakira’s influence seems to keep growing constantly. I am excited for her future projects. There is so much potential there. Will it be a new album? A revealing documentary perhaps? More acting roles? The options truly feel endless for her. I am eager to see what unfolds next. Imagine the stories she could tell on screen.
Hearing the Other Side
Of course, not everyone sees it this way. Her TV and film work sometimes gets criticism. Some people say her acting isn’t top-tier. Not as good as her music, anyway. They point to her limited number of roles. Saying she didn’t fully commit to acting. That perspective is valid, sure. But her career choices are planned. They seem very deliberate to me.
Shakira seems to pick quality roles. It’s not about doing lots of them. She chooses projects so carefully. They fit her brand and her vision. This strategy kept her image strong. She stays relevant right now. In this super fast-changing world. It really is a smart strategy.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
What was Shakira’s biggest film role?
It’s likely her voice work. That was in the movie Zootopia. She played Gazelle there.
Did Shakira win awards for acting?
Her film roles got attention. But most of her awards are for music still.
How does Shakira inspire other artists?
She mixes music styles uniquely. She supports social causes too. Especially in Latin America always. This truly inspires many artists globally.
Wrapping Things Up
Her journey into film and TV definitely helped her change. It was a really vital part of it all. Each role helped her reach new audiences. She got to explore her art in different ways. From starting out to becoming a global icon, Shakira keeps inspiring everyone around her.
To bring things to a close, her impact goes way past just music. That’s super clear now, right? She has so much passion in her. And a real, genuine authenticity. Fans feel it deeply. Other artists feel it too. Let’s take a moment to celebrate her work. And let’s keep waiting for what she does next. She’s a real force in entertainment. Her incredible story is clearly far from finished.
