The Shakira-Barbie controversy, explained: why on social media they call the singer “macho”

Shakira relaunched a discussion that seemed closed, given that the hype surrounding the film’s premiere had practically calmed down: Barbie yes or Barbie no? Exemplary feminist Barbie o Bad feminist?

The Colombian spoke with Charm In the context of the presentation of his new album, “Women don’t cry anymore”, and left an arsenal of phrases on women’s emancipation. However, towards the end of the interview some contradictions emerged and things got more interesting.

“I want this music to build bridges and empower people and help women discover their strengths”Says Shak at the beginning.

And in the next few minutes of conversation, the singer continues along the same path: she talks about the creative process of her album as something relevant to her “transformation” as a woman, that no one will control women now or tell them how to heal. , that their childhood idol was Wonder Woman.

Diana Prince “was a symbol of empowerment and strength in a decade when women didn’t have the most important roles,” she explains.

But when the interviewer asked him his opinion on Greta Gerwig’s film, he oriented his statements in another direction.

The 47-year-old singer says her children “absolutely hated” the film, as they felt “it was emasculating.” And she agreesalbeit “to a certain extent”.

“I’m raising two children. I want them to feel powerful in respecting women too. I like pop culture when it tries to empower women without taking away men’s ability to be men.also to protect and provide,” says Shak.

The Colombian seems to have some objections regarding the role of the “Kens” in the film. “I believe that men have a purpose in society and that women have another purpose as well. We complement each other and this complement should not be lost,” he says, adding that women can do everything without losing their “essence” or “femininity”.

As for beauty, a topic questioned by her interviewer, who believes that if “Shakira hadn’t accepted the power dynamics of her culture, she wouldn’t be beholden to its beauty ideals,” she says: “I felt sexy and I’ve used that raw sensuality many times.” on stage as a way to express myself. But I think I trust other abilities more than just beauty.”.

What was said on the networks

“Greta Gerwig could have written ‘Women don’t cry anymore, women make money,’ but Shakira could never have written THIS monologue,” one person on X tweeted alongside a video of America Ferrera’s character’s famous monologue in Barbie.

“From my point of view, I think (Shakira) is looking for controversy because she is becoming irrelevant (and yes, she could never have written that script),” added another. And there was more: “It hurts because Shakira is Shakira and also my country girl, but GIRL, how can you say that about Barbie?”

Subsequently, countless fans of the Colombian defended their idol with arguments – in the context of Twitter – just as valid as those of her detractors.

“By the way, Greta Gerwig didn’t write the Barbie screenplay herself, but Shak wrote ‘Anthology’ when she was 17,” one user said. “Honestly, Shakira could, she is an excellent singer-songwriter,” wrote a second.

The debate was not only replicated in this particular tweet, but also in dozens of opinions about what the Colombian had said about the film.

At the same time, the word “sexist” passed over the discussionkeeping alive a debate that never stops.

“I didn’t think it was necessary to clarify that it doesn’t make Shakira sexist because she doesn’t like Barbie. The arguments she gave to explain why she didn’t like them make Shakira sexist.. And those are two very different things,” one user noted.

Tweets of this style abounded in X: “Shakira has always been sexist, she has demonstrated it more than once in the comments she makes”; “So if Shakira is sexist, that’s the answer to a lot of questions…”; “Shakira proves herself to be the typical macho Latina mom.”

At the moment neither Shakira nor Gerwig have followed the story on social media.