This past weekend, Shakira kicked off the U.S. leg of her "Las mujeres ya no lloran World Tour" with performances at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Los Angeles. The audience responded with a viral remark: "Now that's Shakira."
The sentiment came just two days after a controversial appearance by the artist at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony, which took place last Wednesday at the Estadio Ciudad de México. Social media buzzed with theories suggesting she used a body double during the performance.
Unveiling the Real Shakira
Following the inauguration, countless social media users questioned, "That's not Shakira" and "Did they use a double?" fueled by her wearing dark sunglasses, distant camera angles, and supposed physical discrepancies.
The Los Angeles concert served as an implicit rebuttal to the rumors. Shakira displayed her full energy, dance, and stage presence, quickly prompting fans to declare, "Now that's Shakira."
Highlight Performances and Surprises
One of the concert's biggest surprises was the live debut of "Dai Dai," the official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, included in her U.S. tour setlist for the first time.
For this performance, Shakira sported a yellow ensemble featuring a fringed skirt with pom-poms and a matching crochet bralette top.
Another standout moment was when Spanish soccer player Marc Bartra of Real Betis was seen dancing energetically during the concert. The video of Bartra quickly went viral on Instagram, amassing thousands of views within hours.
First Live Performance of "Zoo"
The event also featured the first live rendition of "Zoo," her song for Disney's "Zootopia 2," where she voices the character Gazelle.
The stage setup was particularly noteworthy: Shakira donned Gazelle's iconic horns, while her dancers were dressed as tigers, reminiscent of the film, earning a roaring applause from the audience.
Fans React to Shakira's Energetic Return
Social media was abuzz with fan reactions, praising Shakira's performance: "What a sight when she appeared with the dancers," "Incredible everything she does, she never tires," and "That's our Shaki, dance, energy, beauty, 100% like Colombians."
The Los Angeles concert was also rich in World Cup symbolism. Just four days prior, Shakira had performed "Dai Dai" alongside Nigerian artist Burna Boy at the tournament's opening ceremony, where she highlighted that all royalties from the song are donated to the FIFA Education Fund.
During the ceremony, the Colombian artist shared the stage with acts like Maná, J Balvin, and Belinda, delivering a message that resonated with her fans: "May this 2026 World Cup unfold peacefully and serve as a source of joy and unity for the world. Above all, let's remember the young champions who await opportunities, like education, to succeed in life."
Understanding the Shakira World Tour Phenomenon
Why was Shakira's World Cup performance controversial?
The controversy arose from speculation on social media that Shakira used a body double during the performance, based on her wearing sunglasses and distant camera angles.
What was unique about Shakira's Los Angeles concert?
The concert featured the live debut of "Dai Dai," the World Cup 2026 anthem, and marked the first performance of "Zoo," her song for "Zootopia 2," both of which were highlights for fans.