Shakira, fresh off her Latin Grammy success, is now facing a potential eight years in prison. The 46-year-old singer, known for smash hits like 'Hips Don’t Lie' and 'Waka Waka,' is gearing up for a trial in Barcelona over allegations of evading 14.5 million euros ($24 million) in taxes.
The prosecutors are pushing for a substantial jail term of eight years and two months, coupled with a hefty fine of nearly 24 million euros ($40 million).
The Colombian pop star, who currently lives in Miami with her sons Milan and Sasha, has firmly denied any misconduct. Her refusal to accept a plea deal with prosecutors has set the stage for a high-profile trial beginning this Monday. Central to the case is the period between 2012 and 2014, with allegations stating Shakira spent more than half of this time in Spain, thereby owing taxes to the Spanish government.
The prosecution's narrative suggests that Shakira's move to Spain was influenced by her public relationship with FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique in 2011. Despite this, she reportedly maintained her tax residency in the Bahamas until 2015.
Prosecutors claim that Shakira used companies based in tax havens to evade Spanish taxes, a charge her legal team counters by highlighting her “nomadic life” until 2014 and her major earnings from international tours, Reuters reports.
The trial, expected to conclude on December 14, will involve close to 120 witnesses. Although Shakira is slated to testify in the initial session, she may seek permission to skip subsequent hearings. Nevertheless, private aspects of her life are likely to be scrutinized, as Spanish prosecutors have conducted thorough investigations, including interviews with neighbors and analysis of her social media activity.
Shakira's financial dealings have been under the microscope before, notably in the 2021 “Pandora Papers” leaks. These revelations exposed the tax avoidance strategies of the global elite, linking Shakira to residence claims in the Bahamas.
This legal battle contrasts sharply with Shakira's recent triumphs at the Latin Grammy Awards in Seville, Spain. There, she performed twice and snagged three awards, including Song of the Year. Her track 'Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53', a collaboration with Argentine DJ Bizarrap, not only targets her ex-partner Pique but also alludes to her tax troubles, resonating with nearly 1.5 billion streams on Spotify and YouTube.
Despite internal pressures to modify the lyrics, Shakira stood firm, emphasizing her identity as an artist and a woman, rather than a diplomat. Her performance of 'Acróstico' at the Grammys, adorned in a striking gold gown and flanked by a video of her sons, was a poignant moment amid her ongoing legal ordeal.
Shakira’s trial is not just a legal battle but a narrative about a global icon caught in the crosshairs of fame, fortune, and the law. The outcome of this trial could significantly impact her career and personal life, making it a closely watched event by fans and critics alike.
