You go out in search of affirmation that you’re good, that people like you. But this time it was different – I was out there because I wanted to feel… - Shakira

I always thought there were going to be things in my life that would go away, like beauty, youth, all of that stuff…But I never thought that my voice would leave me, because it’s so inherent to my nature. It was my identity. So when I couldn’t sing, that was unbearable. There were times I couldn’t even get out of bed – I was so depressed.

I do feel that I have to use my voice for those that don’t have one. I have to do the best I can in my own work to represent my culture, represent the women of my country, of Latin America. What we stand for. What we’re made of. I feel like there is a part of me that represents a minority in the US, a minority around the world. People who struggle, people who want to succeed with drive and ambition. So, people who want to try – yeah, I do feel in a way like an ambassador, for all of those.

I’ve always lived through my mouth. I am fixated on chocolate, the spoken word, things I’ve said and the things I should never have said.