Quotes from Shakira

Gerard and I pretty much share all parenting responsibilities, although I'm definitely the disciplinarian.

I'm a closet nerd. I love to study history and visit museums.

Videos come definitely after the music has been created, but I have always felt, and especially today, that videos are vital in the album process. I think that we live in a very visual era, and if you make a mistake with a video, those images will accompany the song forever.

I do feel that I have to use my voice for those that don't have one. I have to do the best I can in my own work to represent my culture, represent the women of my country, of Latin America. What we stand for. What we're made of.

I never made it to the school choir because the music teacher didn't like my voice. I was pretty sad. But he was probably right; I did have a voice a bit like a goat, but my dad told me to never give up and to keep going, and it's paid off.

I feel like I'm not on Earth just to shake it and shake it endlessly, you know?

I came to understand that I'm never going to be the perfect mother, but I'm going to do the best I can. Same goes for everything in my life.

I started my own Pies Descalzos/Barefoot Foundation when I was 18. We provide education to vulnerable children in Colombia and other developing countries. I am an avid believer that education - and especially early childhood development - is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

I feel comfortable in my pop shoes. They let me walk in any direction. I like to go from one extreme to the other. One day I feel that I want to do a song with reggaeton influence, I do it. The next day I feel I need to do a song with rock elements to it, I do it.

I have so many people out there that celebrate with me when they know that I'm happy. And they hate it when they know that I'm suffering because someone has hurt me.

The Summit of the Americas is an excellent platform to raise awareness and secure commitments from heads of state and different sector leaders regarding Early Childhood Development.

I consider myself a laborer, building my career brick over brick under the sun.

A good fragrance should have a certain personality that makes people identify the scent with you.

I never thought it was fair for an 8-year-old child not to be able to afford shoes, or to wander the streets having to beg for money. To know that child's joy would end soon, when they realised there was no future.

My man prefers meat over the bone.

I'm happy. I have a man who makes me happy. And a family, which is what I most wanted in life.

I'm quite proud of my rear... I don't obsess over my flaws, because I see my body as a whole. Besides, I think men appreciate confidence more than perfection.

Becoming a mother has taught me to simply things and also to appreciate being at home more.

Music has given a voice to many generations, and I think we, as artists, can be a part of creating a better world.

The music, of course, is important, but it's the energy that I bring to it that I think the public appreciate the most.

I apply the same amount of dedication to being a mom as I do to my music...

Freddy Demann (Shakira's Manager) is a man that knows the world of music. And I know that I am in good hands.

I am a person who has many dreams. But as soon as I accomplish one, I move on to the next. That's my fatal, absurd nature.

When you have a baby, when you feel his love, you feel so at peace with the world. You just want to share the good news and share how happy you feel.