On March 21, 2025, a temporary exhibition titled "Shakira. Estoy aquí experiencia" opened its doors in Roma Norte, Mexico City, a vibrant homage to the Colombian pop superstar's illustrious career and her deep connection to Mexican fans. This remarkable exhibit will be available for ten days, concluding on March 30, and is free to the public, provided they register in advance to attend.
As the day unfolded, the atmosphere around the exhibit began with hesitance. At 9:50 AM, an ambulance was stationed outside, but the expected crowds were notably absent. Some staff remarked on the delay in fan arrivals, speculating, "I believe they are just late." Yet, by 10:30 AM, the scene dramatically shifted; excitement filled the air with the emergence of three long lines of Shakira devotees, each displaying memorabilia from past concerts—all eager to immerse themselves in the world of their idol.
Among the pious attendees were Alma and her daughter Xenat, who had traveled from Puebla solely for this experience. The duo represents the heart of Shakira's fan community. "My daughter won a place in the 'Camina con la loba' contest, which allows fans to accompany Shakira on stage," Alma explained, her pride evident as she admired her daughter’s striking Shakira-inspired outfit. The exhibit, taking only about 15 minutes to navigate, is divided into three engaging sections that each tell a story of Shakira’s artistry.
The first portion showcases various instruments utilized by Shakira over the years, including the eye-catching diamond-studded Thunderbird guitar and outfits that made waves during iconic performances. In the second section, visitors enter a room suffused with mirrors and projections, where pulsating visuals of red and blue diamonds and inspiring words such as "pasión, resiliencia, esperanza, y vulnerabilidad" envelop them, creating a hypnotic experience.
The final segment features unpublished photographs taken by director Jaume de Laiguana, intimate snapshots capturing Shakira during performances in the early 2000s. As Martín, a member of the exhibit's curatorial team, stated, "Por ahora México es el país afortunado que tiene esta experiencia," highlighting the special relationship Shakira shares with her Mexican fans and the country itself.
Registration for the exhibit required attendees to arrive in timed groups of no more than 20. As they left the immersive space, many posed for photos in front of the striking backdrop featuring Shakira's name, surrounded by fans who could not resist capturing this moment. One young man, adorned in a glimmering ensemble, held up a provocative sign featuring a split image of Shakira's former partner, Gerard Piqué, alongside a humorous sketch representing controversial sentiments among fans.
Shakira’s most recent concert was on March 19, 2025, kicking off her much-anticipated "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour" at the Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. The concert attracted over 65,000 fans, marking a significant achievement that added to Shakira's history of sold-out performances. Despite the initial anticipation, the start of the show faced criticism due to a delay of more than an hour and a half, which left many fans feeling exasperated.
In response to this setback, Shakira took to social media to apologize and clarify the mix-up regarding the scheduled start time. "Buenos días, mi manada mexicana, qué ganas de verlos esta noche. Anteayer se me comunicó on inexactitud la hora del show..." she explained, reassuring fans that she would personally ensure timely starts for the remaining concerts.
With six more concerts scheduled in the capital for March 23, 25, 27, 28, and 30, Shakira is expected to draw an additional half a million attendees from across Mexico, combining forces with the exhibition's immersive celebration of her storied career. Many fans expressed emotional connections to her music, reflecting on moments where Shakira’s lyrics provided solace during personal struggles. Diana, 28, mentioned that this would be her first Shakira concert, while another fan, Alejandra, drew on her feelings surrounding the recent album, emphatically stating, "'Las mujeres facturan'... teaches us to express our hurts and feel empowered.
The extensive planning surrounding the concerts and the exhibit has resulted in significant economic impacts for Mexico City. José de Jesús Rodríguez, president of the Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo, projected a substantial economic benefit of approximately 3,247 million pesos, attributing much of this to the influx of fans utilizing local hotels, restaurants, and shops during their concert expeditions. The shared enthusiasm among concert-goers has additionally fostered unity among fans, creating an environment ripe with heartfelt stories and surprises.
Ultimately, Shakira's captivating exhibition curated alongside her monumental sold-out concerts not only celebrates her artistry but also solidifies her enduring bond with her devoted fans in Mexico City. The experiences created through both avenues have proven that Shakira remains an iconic figure, inspiring and uplifting countless lives through her music.
As the final curtain falls on this riveting experience on March 30, 2025, both the exhibit and concerts will leave a lasting impression on fans and the city that embraced Shakira wholeheartedly.
