One thing is to go to a Shakira concert. Another is to walk with her as part of her “Loba Pack.” It’s a whole other level.
On Friday (June 6) morning, I received a call from Sony Music US Latin’s publicity associate director. I usually don’t answer phone calls, but I was curious because it’s rare for him to call me too.
After a quick “good morning, how are you?” he cut to the chase with what literally felt like he was popping the big question: “Jess, if I get you a spot to walk with Shakira at her concert tomorrow, would you?”
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I gasped and without hesitation said “YES!” After we hung up, I smiled, and for some reason—though I’ve had a very fruitful and successful career in Latin music—thought “omg, I finally made it.”
Just hours before Shakira was set to perform her second sold-out stadium in Miami on Saturday (June 7), I received an email titled “Camina con la loba” (walk with the she wolf) with further instructions—arrival time, meeting location, point of contact, and a consent waiver to be filmed.
Once at the Hard Rock Stadium, I was unexpectedly escorted to a VIP suite, where drinks and bites were provided. Then, at around 7:50 p.m., they took me backstage to meet up with the rest of the crew that was going to walk with Shakira. Among the “loba pack” were social media influencer Jessica Judith, Miss Universe Nicaragua 2018 Adriana Paniagua, and TV personality Clarissa Molina. Yours truly from Billboard, and select Univision and Telemundo reporters were also in the mix.
While we waited for our big moment to shine, we were handed raincoats in an aluminum foil material and futuristic sunglasses. It was also your typical 100-degree weather in Miami, but every drop of sweat, humidity, and drenched makeup was worth it—especially because the “loba pack” kept singing Shakira songs while we waited.
At 9:15 p.m., the Colombian artist showed up in a golf cart wearing a sparkly jumpsuit. She hopped off, briefly greeted her unit of empowered wolves, and we all got into position for showtime.
Around 50 people walked with the artist into the packed stadium. We were jumping, we were ecstatic, we were high-fiving people in the audience, we were capturing the moment on our phones. With all the attitude and energy in the world, the “loba pack” dropped off Shakira at the stage, where she officially kicked off with the magnetic, club-ready track “La Fuerte.”
We continued to enjoy the first song from the aisles, before walking to our seats. Once at my spot, I was in complete awe of Shak’s two-hour-long spectacle, where she sang the hits, the oldies, had surprise guests Manuel Turizo, Alejandro Sanz, and Bizarrap, but above all, captivated fans with her hips that don’t lie—literally.
Undeniably, Shakira is Shakira, but now, as a certified “loba” (and thanks to this wonderful concert experience), there’s no doubt in my mind why she ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s “Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time” list.
The Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour will continue June 11 in Texas and wrap June 30 in California.
