Shakira Opens Up About Sons’ Dislike for Barbie: ‘They Felt It Was Emasculating’

Shakira’s sons, Sasha and Milan, didn’t quite warm up to last summer’s Barbie phenomenon. In a recent interview for Allure‘s April cover story, the 47-year-old musician opened up about her sons’ reaction to the blockbuster toy, revealing that they “absolutely hated it.” Shakira shares Sasha, 9, and Milan, 11, with her ex-partner Gerard Piqué.

According to Shakira, her sons felt that Barbie was “emasculating,” a sentiment she admitted to sharing to some extent. “I’m raising two boys. I want them to feel powerful too [while] respecting women,” she explained. Shakira emphasized her belief in empowering women in pop culture without undermining men’s roles as protectors and providers.

Shakira tells Allure that her sons found the ‘Barbie’ movie emasculating:

“My sons absolutely hated it. They felt that it was emasculating. And I agree, to a certain extent. I'm raising two boys. I want 'em to feel powerful too [while] respecting women. I like pop culture when… pic.twitter.com/lkcKiAJisz

— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 1, 2024

For Shakira, the essence of feminism lies in equipping women with the tools and trust to excel without sacrificing their femininity. She stressed the importance of recognizing and valuing the distinct purposes of both men and women in society, highlighting the complementary nature of their roles.

When asked about the idea of women having to do it all, Shakira challenged this notion, advocating for the distribution of responsibilities to those who deserve and are duty-bound to share the load.

In a separate interview with Zane Lowe, Shakira shed light on the challenges of transitioning to single motherhood while balancing her career. Her packed schedule often sees her working on music videos, album releases, and other projects while ensuring she spends quality time with her children.

Despite the intensity of her daily routine, Shakira finds beauty in the balancing act of juggling her professional and personal responsibilities. She described the experience as challenging yet rewarding, especially as she navigates the new territory of single motherhood with her two sons, whom she affectionately calls “great.”

As Shakira continues to navigate her role as a mother and a powerhouse in the music industry, her dedication to empowering women and fostering gender equality remains unwavering.

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