A handwritten note, playfully warning against unauthorized entry unless “on fire,” adorns Shakira’s production office door deep within Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. This humorous sign hints at the immense pressure associated with orchestrating one of the year’s largest stadium tours.
Shakira’s tour, encompassing 64 sold-out shows across North and South America, has captivated over two million fans.
“Over a year of meticulous preparation has culminated in this incredible reward,” Shakira shared with BBC News.
Backstage before the Miami concert, the atmosphere is notably calm and professional, far from the chaotic image the note might suggest. Dancers rehearse, seamstresses embellish costumes, and guitar technicians meticulously check their instruments.
A closer look reveals fascinating tour logistics. Head of wardrobe, Hannah Kinkade, oversees the care of 300 costumes, explaining, “We travel with two washing machines and two dryers, plumbing them in at each venue.”
Each outfit requires refreshing due to the intense energy of Shakira and her dancers’ performances. “The male dancers’ shoes wear down so badly we repaint them daily,” Kinkade adds.
Stage manager Kevin Rowe guides us through the subterranean corridors, revealing hidden stashes of Gatorade and iced coffee, essential for navigating Miami’s humidity. “It’s either intensely hot or wet working outdoors,” he remarks, “but that’s the price of working in the underworld.”
Around 2:30 pm, the band commences its soundcheck. Shakira arrives shortly after 3 pm, accompanied by a police escort, and immediately engages with the team on stage. Dressed in silver flared jeans and a white vest, she spontaneously dances, assessing the venue.
To the crew, she playfully challenges, “I saw Beyoncé here; it was flawless, so you’d better make me sound like that.” The statement, delivered with a wink, underscores her perfectionism.
Chief dancer Darina Littleton confirms, “When she’s on, she’s fully committed.” Musical director Tim Mitchell, a collaborator since the 1990s (he penned the panpipe riff in “Whenever, Wherever”), adds, “She’s meticulous about every detail—sound, visuals, lighting, even the wristbands. It’s incredible.”
This dedication results in a spectacular two-and-a-half-hour show: a dynamic blend of bilingual hits, thirteen costume changes, and relentless energy. The performance seamlessly transitions from a Lebanese-inspired belly dance during “Ojos Asi” to a tribal knife routine for “Whenever, Wherever,” culminating in an electrifying rendition of “She Wolf.”
The tour, titled “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” (Women Don’t Cry), reflects Shakira’s recent album inspired by personal challenges: the end of her 11-year relationship with Gerard Piqué, her father’s brain surgery, and tax fraud accusations (settled out of court).
On stage, she acknowledges, “The past years haven’t been easy, but who hasn’t stumbled? A fall isn’t the end, but a new beginning.”
This period of upheaval fueled a creative resurgence, marked by 2023’s “Bzrp Music Sessions Vol 53,” a scathing response to Piqué, which won Latin Grammy’s Song of the Year, and subsequent hits like “Te Felicito” and “TQG,” generating billions of Spotify streams.
One fan, wearing furry she-wolf ears, aptly summarizes: “She’s inspiring. She’s power.”
Post-performance, Shakira, remarkably refreshed, discusses her demanding schedule. “I might not make much sense; I’m still recovering,” she laughs, acknowledging the physical strain. “But the adrenaline keeps me going.”
She explains that illness or fatigue are merely challenges to overcome. “You do your best and make it happen,” she says. The Miami concert held special significance; it’s where, as a teenager, she began her journey to conquer the Western pop market, learning English through dictionaries and immersing herself in poetry.
Reflecting on her immigration experience, she addresses the contrast between her personal success and the political climate, recalling her Grammy acceptance speech: “I dedicated it to immigrant brothers and sisters, asserting their worth and pledging my continued support.”
She poignantly describes the fear immigrants face today, emphasizing the need for unity and humane treatment. This message resonates deeply with her audience, spanning generations who’ve grown with her music.
The emotional climax arrives with “Acróstico,” a ballad dedicated to her children, Sasha and Milan, who appear on video screens, performing with her. “They are everything to me,” she says. This moment showcases the balance between her personal life and her professional success.
Regarding future European tour dates, she playfully teases, “Stay tuned! We’re close to announcing, and I want to share this show with fans worldwide.”