Shakira was filled with happiness as she enjoyed the sights at the star-studded Art Basel event. The Colombian singer, who is reportedly working on a bombshell documentary, was spotted mingling with fans at the VIP entrance of the Miami Beach Convention Center on Wednesday. She let her inner fashionista shine in a stylish fitted turtleneck top, leather trousers, and statement-making heels with a transparent heel.
When it comes to her accessories, Shakira, 46, chose to elevate her look with glossy tortoiseshell shades and a delicate Burberry purse. Her brunette locks cascaded down in loose glossy waves that were parted at the center.
Shakira was full of happiness as she enjoyed the sights at the star-studded event, Art Basel, in Miami on Wednesday. This comes after Shakira reached a deal with Spanish authorities last month to avoid a trial in Barcelona over accusations of not paying £12.5 million (€14.5m) in taxes on income earned between 2012 and 2014.
Prosecutors announced in July that they would seek an eight-year and two-month prison sentence and a fine of £21 million (€24m) for the singer, who has won over fans worldwide with her hits in Spanish and English across different music genres.
In total, she had already repaid the full amount prosecutors accused her of failing to pay, plus an additional £2.6 million (€3m) in interest. A £6.4 million (€7.3m) fine was issued in court, and she will pay £378,000 (€432,000) euros to avoid jail time, bringing the total amount she has or will hand over to Spanish authorities to roughly £21.8 million (€25m) euros.
For most people, the sums involved would be eye-watering. But for Shakira – one of the most commercially successful pop stars in the world – it represents only a fraction of her overall net worth, said to be roughly £240 million ($300m or €274m).
In her eyes, according to her statement, the sum is a price she is willing to pay in order to ‘spare my children seeing their mother sacrifice her well-being’. It spares her a lengthy trial that was set to run into December, as well as possible jail time.
The singer-songwriter said in a lengthy statement issued through her PR representatives after the settlement was announced: ‘I have to choose my battles and the most important thing for me right now is that my children live a full life and I focus on what is really important: watching them grow and spending time with them, without subjecting them to the anguish of seeing their mother in a court trial with the damage that causes.
‘They themselves asked me to do this and I’ve taken this decision for them.
The Colombian singer, aged 46, was seen mingling with fans at the VIP entrance of the Miami Beach Convention Center on Wednesday.
The singer looked every bit the rock star in her edgy top, leather trousers, and statement-making heels. “They have gone through some difficult times and I want them to see me happy finally and be able to look together to the future.” Taking a swipe at the Spanish tax system, she added: “I feel the system in Spain needs to be revised for the benefit of its citizens. And I will continue being an ally to ensure this occurs. There are a lot of people who cannot afford to pay for good defense lawyers or even reach an out-of-court settlement and have seen their lives crumble in front of them because of discrepancies with the Spanish Treasury.” Saying her fight to clear her name had caused her an enormous amount of wasted time and resources, she added: “I felt ready to face a trial and defend my innocence.”
It all unfolded after Shakira reached an agreement with Spanish authorities last month to avoid a trial in Barcelona over accusations that she failed to pay £12.5 million in taxes.
“My lawyers were convinced we had a winning case,” Shakira stated. “However, I have made this decision after a lengthy fight lasting many years. I had two options: to continue to the end, risking my happiness and that of my children, stopping making songs and albums and touring, being unable to enjoy my career and the things I love, or make a pact and close and leave behind this chapter in my life looking forward.”
“I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not a triumph winning if the price you have to pay is that they steal so many years of your life.”
