Shakira looked younger and more on trend than ever, as she stepped out in Madison Square Park in New York City on Sunday, ahead of the start of the US leg of her world tour next week. The singer, 48, showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a semi-sheer black turtleneck, which flashed a daring glimpse of her bra and cleavage underneath. She also sported a pair of fashion-forward oversized jeans covered in silver press-studs and left unbuttoned at the bottom to expose her toned legs. Shakira beamed and waved as she made her way into her sparkly black car, showing off her ageless beauty, with her famous natural curls pulled into a high ponytail. The Hips Don't Lie star's arrival in the States comes ahead of her first US tour date on her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.
Last month, Shakira completed her first run of dates with shows in her home country of Colombia, after kicking off the tour in Rio de Janeiro in February. She will next perform in North Carolina on Tuesday, May 13, the first of a string of dates in the US and Canada until the end of June. Her seventh tour has enjoyed unprecedented ticket sales, even surpassing the popularity of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Mexico City, where it sold out five shows in a row at the Estadio GNP Seguros Stadium. It has also been a hit with critics and fans, who have praised it for its high production value and Shakira's consistently impressive performances. The tour is her first in seven years and is named after her 12th studio album, which dropped in March 2024.
While she is riding the high of the successful tour, it was reported last month that her ex Gerard Pique has separated from girlfriend Clara Chia after three years. The former Spain and Barcelona star was previously with Shakira for 11 years and welcomed their two sons together, Milan and Sasha, before their split in 2022. Speculation that the footballer had cheated was rife, with Shakira going on to make a slew of digs at Gerard in her music, including branding him 'Voldemort'.
Spanish outlet El Periodico reported that the couple had been living separately for a few weeks after Gerard was kicked out of the family home by the pop star. In the summer of 2023, he reportedly moved in with Clara - in the home he had shared with Shakira when she first moved to Barcelona. However, according to Spanish TV show Vamos a ver, journalist Adriana Dorronsoro confirmed that Gerard and Clara, 26 - who is 12 years his junior - have split up. Dorronsoro went on to say the cause of the split is not yet known but that she has heard that third parties may be involved. Dorronsoro said: 'I have confirmation that Gerard Piqué and Clara Chía have broken up and I am investigating a little into the reasons, because I am hearing from third parties, although it is still not very clear.'
In January 2023, video footage emerged which is said to show Clara in the footballer's family home before his split from Shakira. Shakira was reportedly left 'devastated' at the unearthed footage from August 2021, which was recorded ten months before she announced she had split from her partner of 11 years. There was a theory that Shakira uncovered his alleged cheating by discovering that a jar of strawberry jam in their home together had been eaten while she was away - as she was reportedly the only strawberry jam eater in the relationship. However, the South American singer-songwriter has since debunked that myth.
Shakira recently admitted she still feels 'worthless' three years after her split from the footballer, telling Mexico's N+ channel: 'I've learned that you can feel joy even while carrying pain—while living with a wound that won't quite heal.' Describing what it's like to feel 'small' when reflecting on a breakup, she said: 'That's when friends, family, and real people step in—to remind you of your value and that you're capable of more than you know. Everyone has their own way of rebuilding. For me, writing songs helped lift a huge weight off my shoulders. It's a cathartic process.'
Meanwhile, Shakira’s “Women Don’t Cry Anymore” tour is fueling a massive two hundred percent spike in travel searches across major cities. With Airbnb reporting soaring interest in accommodations in locations like Charlotte, Arlington, and Detroit, the tour has triggered a wave of tourism-driven spending that is revitalizing hospitality, dining, retail, and entertainment sectors. This surge highlights how Shakira’s cultural influence and empowering message are not only drawing record crowds but also delivering substantial economic benefits to the cities on her tour.
The US is currently experiencing a major tourism boost, thanks to a cultural and entertainment phenomenon that extends far beyond music. Shakira’s “Women Don’t Cry Anymore” stadium tour is captivating audiences nationwide while fueling a massive increase in tourism and consumer activity across several key cities. According to a recent report by Airbnb, cities hosting the international music icon have seen a spike in travel-related searches by over 200%, indicating a profound influence of the tour on domestic tourism, hospitality, and local economies.
This landmark tour, which combines live musical excellence with a powerful message of female empowerment, is making a tangible difference in how cities prepare for, benefit from, and respond to large-scale cultural events. As US hotels experience increased bookings and local businesses enjoy heightened foot traffic, Shakira’s latest endeavor is shaping up to be more than just a concert series—it’s an economic and social movement.
Airbnb’s data reveals that in cities such as Charlotte, North Carolina, Arlington, Texas, and Detroit, Michigan, searches for lodging in advance of Shakira’s performances skyrocketed by over 200%. These numbers signify concrete travel intent and robust demand for accommodations, transportation, and related services. Each of these cities, hosting scheduled performances, has recorded noticeable upticks not only in bookings but also in dining, retail, and local attraction visits.
This tour, unlike typical touring schedules, carries a deep cultural narrative that resonates with a broad demographic, particularly women, further broadening its market impact. The rising influx of travelers from nearby regions and distant states highlights the vast influence of Shakira’s tour and demonstrates how culturally driven entertainment events can evolve into powerful engines of local economic expansion.
Local hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality providers have emerged as some of the most immediate beneficiaries of this wave. With concert dates creating concentrated periods of visitor arrivals, room occupancy rates in host cities have approached or even surpassed pre-pandemic levels in some areas. Accommodation providers, responding to this surge, have optimized pricing models and revamped guest offerings to cater to this specific, concert-driven clientele.
Shakira’s concerts are prompting out-of-town visitors to arrive early and stay longer, leading to expanded consumption of city offerings. Whether it’s brunch spots near concert venues, local gift shops, or entertainment districts, the boost is consistent and noticeable. Visitor expenditures are contributing to temporary employment spikes and higher revenue margins for independent establishments.
Adding to the excitement and appeal of the tour are high-profile guest appearances at key performances. These special additions are transforming concert nights into unforgettable events, increasing ticket value and pushing fans from across state lines to attend. The anticipation surrounding these uniquely curated performances, coupled with celebrity visibility, elevates the concert atmosphere into a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which is exactly what many travelers are seeking post-pandemic.
Shakira’s “Women Don’t Cry Anymore” stadium tour transcends traditional performances, emerging as a transformative force that is redefining tourism, revitalizing the hospitality sector, and reshaping cultural narratives across the United States. With a 200% increase in travel searches reported by Airbnb, the economic ripple effect of this tour is undeniable. Cities like Charlotte, Arlington, and Detroit are not only witnessing booming hotel bookings and vibrant street life, but are also becoming part of a larger, empowering story.
