MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Fans laud Shakira's 'empowering' speech on 'self-love' as singer wins Billboard's Woman of the Year award

A fan wrote, 'You better also give her the Icon Award in November'

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Colombian superstar singer Shakira has come out of her breakup as a strong and independent woman whom it no longer matters “so much anymore if someone is faithful” or not. The ‘Waka Waka’ singer has emerged as the winner of Woman of the Year at ‘Billboard's Women in Latin Music Awards’ that took place in Miami on Saturday, May 6. 

However, it is not the accolade, but the speech that has turned heads the most. The mother-of-two said in the speech, "There comes a time in every woman's life when she no longer depends on someone to love or accept herself as she is," before elaborating, "The search for the other is replaced by the search for oneself when the desire to be perfect is replaced by the desire to be authentic." The ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer highlights the importance of finding one’s own self rather than searching for a partner.

READ MORE

'Start a new chapter': Shakira leaves Barcelona after receiving eviction notice from Gerard Pique's dad

'I ask this as a mother': Shakira requests privacy for sons Milan and Sasha after year of 'incessant siege'

‘We are braver than we think we are’

Speaking about the strength and tenacity women have, the ‘Queen of Latin Music’ celebrated her strength in the speech, "It is a year in which I have realized that women are much stronger than we think," and added, "We are braver than we think we are. I think we are also more independent than we were taught to be,” reports Marca.

Throughout her speech, she has highlighted the importance of the right amount of self-love a woman should have for herself. She also advocated the theory that “attention, affection or approval” from others may not be the ultimate road to happiness. Then giving her own reference, the ‘Whenever, Wherever’ singer added, "What woman hasn't gone through the experience of looking for attention, affection or approval from others and forgotten about herself? It has happened to me."

‘What really matters is if you continue to be faithful to yourself’

She highlighted again the theory of prioritizing self. For her remaining “faithful” to oneself is what matters most as the 46-year-old singer has now realized, "It doesn't matter so much if someone is faithful or not, what really matters is if you continue to be faithful to yourself.” Talking about how music healed her and supported her during her crisis, she said, "It's true that when I felt most lost, it was music that put me on the path back to myself," before adding, “The most important lessons I have learned from other women.”

The three-time Grammy winner and the 12-time Latin Grammy winner then said, "For them, for you, I wrote what I wrote and sang what I sang because only a woman can love until she tears herself apart." Fans could not help but show their appreciation for Shakira's moving speech. One said, "Invite Shakira to perform at this year's "Billboard Music Awards" and present her with the "Billboard Millennium Award"." Another commented, "You better also give her the Icon Award in November." Another justly said, "An empowering speech."

Someone else said, "Mother congratulations u deserve so much better than this" Another fan did not miss the chance to celebrate her famous quotes from the speech, as they highlighted, "The Shakira quote: 1. "It should not be the woman of the year, but the year of women” 2. "It doesn't matter if someone is faithful or unfaithful to you, the important thing is that you are faithful to yourself." Another fan commented sarcastically taking a dig at Shakira's famous ex-boyfriend, "Pique was found in a state of putrefaction."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.