Shakira, The Most-Searched Latin Artist On Google: Barack Obama's Favorite

If a person is famous, there is no way for that person to remain discreet.

For that matter, it's also impossible for that person for not achieving anything on the internet, even without trying to be up there in the first place.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, or known mononymously as Shakira, is a world-renown Colombian singer and songwriter. Entering the entertainment industry at the age of 13, Shakira who was born and raised in Barranquilla, has been referred to as the "Queen of Latin Music" and has been praised for her musical versatility.

This time, Shakira is saying goodbye to 2023 with a number of news tied to her achievements.

First of, the Colombian artist has her name as the most searched Latin artist on Google globally of all time.

"Wow," she said on the post that crowned her as the most favorite artist among Spanish and Portuguese performers.

Her name is high up, far above Enrique Iglesias, who is placed second.

What's more, former U.S. President Barack Obama also shared his annual list of favorite music, and there, Shakira stands out with her song 'TQG,' alongside Karol G.

"Like I do every year, here are some songs I’ve been listening to this summer – a mix of old and new. Look forward to hearing what I’ve missed," he said.

It has been a tradition for the former President to unveil his list of the most-listened-to songs of the year at the end of the year. And in 2023, he declared himself a fan of the two Colombian singers.

Shakira and Karol G made Obama’s 2023 favorite songs with ‘TQG’, a song that was number one on the Billboard Global 200.

In the list, there are various songs from various artists and genres, and his selections this 2023 uniquely aimed at the Latino public.

Shakira reposted Obama's list, and also sent him a warm message to tell him that they share a common musical taste.

"Mr. President, I also love ’Sprinter,‘" she said, referring to the song by Dave & Central Cee.

And adding to her musical recognition, her native Barranquilla, Colombia, also revealed a 6-meter-tall bronze statue.

Built to honor her decades of global success, and her contribution to the country, the figure immortalizes Shakira's belly dance with her arms above her head, shaking her hips in an iconic pose from her 'Hips Don't Lie' music video.

Although Shakira was not present at the ceremony where the statue was revealed, her parents, William Mebarak and Nidia Ripoll, proudly witnessed this tribute.

The 46-year-old singer took it to Instagram to express her gratitude, as well as sharing photos of her parents at the unveiling ceremony with the city's mayor, Jaime Pumarejo.

"It makes me happy to share this with my parents and especially with my mother on her birthday," the singer wrote in Spanish in her caption.

Shakira also acknowledged the dedication on the plaque at the bottom of the statue in her caption, saying that the kind words were "too much" for her.

"A heart that composes, hips that don't lie, an unmatched talent, a voice that moves the masses and bare feet that march for the good of children and humanity," the plaque reads in Spanish.

The 21-foot-tall statue was sculpted by Yino Márquez, a 52-year-old artist who is also an academic coordinator at Barranquilla's public art academy.

"She touched my hands and said: ‘May God bless those hands, you are great,’” the scultor shared in an interview.

Shakira's parents had a special moment with Márquez in the occasion.

And when the statue was unveiled, Márquez added that the singer also personally reached out to him to express her gratitude.

"Shakira herself called me and told me that I captured her essence very well in the sculpture. That her son saw the sculpture and said that it is the most beautiful sculpture he has ever seen," Márquez said.

"Shakira is a symbol of effort, discipline and progress," Márquez said.

"For me, she is a fighter."

Before this, the 'Whenever, Wherever' singer dropped a song 'BZRP Music Session #53' on YouTube.

The song that seemingly mocks Shakira's ex-partner, former FC Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué, broke the YouTube's record for most-watched new Latin song.