I Walked With Shakira at the Mexico City’s Stadium Where the She-Wolf Makes History

When Shakira says “Mexico is my home” because she also feels Mexican, the Colombian superstar — just like her hips — doesn’t lie. In my opinion, the deep love that the Latin American country has for the singer-songwriter is only comparable to the sentiment Mexicans feel for the Colombian Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez, who made Mexico City his home until his passing in 2014.

In Mexico, Shakira achieved her first musical successes thanks to her 1995 album Pies Descalzos, with which she captivated the country and later all of Latin America with the hit “Dónde Estás Corazón.” Thirty years later, the fervor Mexicans feel for her music has translated into a wave of successes and several unprecedented records, from one million tickets sold for her 28 concerts in Mexico as part of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour, to the 12 shows at Estadio GNP Seguros (formerly Foro Sol) that Shakira is set to complete this month.

Given this, the opportunity to participate in the “Walk with La Loba,” the powerful entrance with which the Barranquilla native kicks off her show each night before 65,000 people, at Estadio GNP Seguros, made it doubly epic and emotional.

I received the invitation to be part of “the pack” from promoter OCESA in coordination with Sony Music Mexico for Aug. 30, during Shakira’s eleventh show at that iconic venue in the capital. Recognized by Billboard as the No. 1 concert stadium in the world, it has hosted luminaries ranging from Metallica and Paul McCartney to Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.

That night in the pack were TV hosts Odalys Ramírez, Joanna Vega-Biestro, and Pame Voguel. The writer of this piece proudly represented Billboard Español. Host Karole Soriano and actress Sandra Itzel were also part of the group. By that time, we knew the special guest of the night would be pop star Belinda, with whom Shakira performed the ballad “Día de Enero.”

We were lined up in order of height alongside the rest of the fans, and fortunately, being chaparrita (short), as we say in Mexico, I was able to be among the first in line. We walked toward one of the entrances of the venue, dressed in the provided silver raincoats and futuristic glasses.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m., Shakira appeared in a golf cart escorted by security personnel. She approached her “pack” for the night and quickly greeted a few people, while I tried to capture the moment with my phone. Although I had the chance to briefly interview her in March when she began her Mexico trek, seeing her up close again filled me with excitement.

The lights went out, and the show’s intro began. The walk started, bringing with it a rush of adrenaline. I recorded only a few moments because I wanted to truly savor the experience of walking alongside one of the greatest artists in history — No. 1 among Billboard‘s 50 Best Latin Pop Artists of All Time. What a privilege!

The stadium roared with Shakira’s presence as she walked toward the stage embodying an empowered woman, embraced by the Mexican audience that loves her so deeply. She knows it, and she reciprocates that love with a Mexican-themed section in her show where, on this occasion, in addition to performing “Ciega, Sordomuda,” she sang “Sombras Nada Más” accompanied by a mariachi band. The song, made famous by iconic ranchera singer Javier Solís, was introduced by the star as one of her father William Mebarak Chadid’s favorites.

Upon reaching the stage, Shakira performed “La Fuerte,” an electronic music track that sets the tone for the rest of the concert. From there, we were guided down the hallway toward the exit, and everyone headed to their assigned seats to enjoy the two hours plus show.

In my nearly 20-year career as a journalist, there have been many exciting moments — among them, a soundcheck with U2 in 2006 at Estadio Azteca — and now everything I experienced with the Colombian star during her triumphant return to Mexico with her most successful tour yet. I feel incredibly fortunate to witness this historic moment and the deep love she feels for Mexico, a sentiment that is absolutely reciprocated. The phrase “¡Shakira, hermana, ya eres mexicana!” (Shakira, sis, you’re already Mexican!) has never felt more true.

Shakira will return to Mexico City to conclude her record-breaking performances at Estadio GNP Seguros on September 18, before continuing her tour through other Latin American countries.