Rising Star - Shakira - Brief Article

CosmoGirl!, Dec, 2001

Shakira

Age: 24

Hometown: Barranquilla, Colombia

Her sign: Aquarius

Claim to fame: She's a Grammy Award--winning singer who's said millions of records worldwide.

Next big thing: The release of her first English-language pop-rock album, Laundry Service.

Who knew? If she wasn't a singer, she'd be an anthropologist! "I have a passion for studying human beings. It's given me a greater understanding of the emotions I write about in my songs."

Her big break: "When I was 13, a family friend arranged for me to meet an executive from Sony Music Colombia in town. I went to his hotel and sang a song--which I had written--a cappella for him! A few days later I sang Madonna's 'Material Girl' in Spanish for more executives in Bogota. The next day I was signed by Sony. Now I work with Madonna's ex-manager!"

Listen for: Her single "Whenever Wherever." "It's about being far away from the love of your life. The line that says 'I would climb the Andes only to count the freckles on your body' is literally what I would do for my boyfriend."