Washington [US], December 20: Pop sensation Shakira has opened up about the emotional impact of her 2022 separation from Spanish footballer Gerard Pique and how Coldplay frontman Chris Martin supported her during this challenging time.
In a candid conversation, the 47-year-old singer, known for hits like Hips Don’t Lie and Waka Waka, shared how Martin reached out to her frequently after the breakup, offering daily check-ins and words of encouragement. “He was there for me when I got separated and was heartbroken,” Shakira said, recalling his consistent support. “He was checking in every day to see how I was doing, sending me words of support and strength and wisdom.”
Shakira praised Martin’s empathetic nature, noting that he has “a different lens” on life and is particularly sensitive to the needs of others. “He’s very empathetic, very empathetic,” she added.
The emotional toll of her split with Pique, who she had been with for 11 years, was immense. The breakup was followed by infidelity rumors, which further complicated the situation. However, Shakira found solace in her children, Milan, 11, and Sasha, 9, whom she shares with Pique.
Describing the pain she felt after the separation, Shakira revealed, “The suffering I felt was probably the greatest I had ever experienced in my entire life, and it kept me from functioning at times.” She likened the heartbreak to a physical injury, saying, “It felt like someone had stabbed a hole in my chest. And the sensation was so real, almost physical. I physically felt like I had a hole in my chest and that people could see through me.”
Music played a pivotal role in Shakira’s healing process. Reflecting on the making of her first album in seven years, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women Don’t Cry Anymore), she explained that writing music helped her begin the grieving process. “For many months after my separation I had been silent, trying to begin my mourning, but I couldn’t really begin to grieve until I started writing music,” Shakira shared. “It was my way of healing. And it continues to be. Grief is a process that is not linear. It is full of peaks and valleys.”
Through music and the support of friends like Chris Martin, Shakira has found a way to cope with her heartache, and continues her journey of healing.