Shakira Announces New Album After Closing Chapter On Tax Fraud Drama

Shakira is crying diamonds on the cover of her upcoming album! Besides being her first new album in seven years, the highly anticipated LP will also mark her debut release on vinyl.

The news comes on the heels of the Colombian superstar finally reaching a settlement with prosecutors to avoid trial in Barcelona over failure to pay Spanish income tax for two years.

Shakira announced on Thursday that she will be releasing a new album in a little over a month from now.

In one image shared via social media, the "Hips Don't Lie" hitmaker is seen with diamond tears rolling down her cheeks as she stares away from the camera into the distance. The zoomed-in snap is followed by a view of her lying on a bed of shiny green objects while donning a mauve-colored outfit and sky-high silver heels.

A third photo featured the singer in a metallic bra top, and a fourth showed her in a black deep-v top and matching leather pants. In the statement accompanying the pictures, Shakira informed her 90.5 million followers:

"My new album, coming out March 22, is one I created together with all of you, my pack of shewolves who were there for me every step of the way. Making this body of work has been an alchemical process. While writing each song I was rebuilding myself. While singing them, my tears transformed into diamonds, and my vulnerability into strength."

The update expectedly threw her fans into a flurry of emotions, which they aired in the comment section. 

"Let's get itttt," one fan declared, as a second noted, "АНННННН! During women's history month," a third claimed, "New era, same Legend," and a fourth commented, "Finally, I waited a long time for this moment ?❤️."

Similarly, a fifth Instagram user dubbed Shakira a "super QUEEN," while a sixth exclaimed, "Omg what a surprise my queen gave us! We love you and we will always support you." Meanwhile, this supporter lengthily gushed:

"We all know that every tear you turned them into diamonds, you are strong. We admire you and every year of waiting will be worth it. Amazing what you achieve, what you inspire, what you radiate, and here we are once again accompanying you in this new era that will be wonderful."

Regarding her tax fraud case, The Blast reported that Shakira entered a plea deal with the Spanish Government after facing charges of failing to pay approximately $15 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014.

As part of the agreement, the 47-year-old was slammed with a suspended three-year sentence and required to pay the outstanding taxes with interest, along with a $8 million fine (7.3 million euros). 

Despite accepting the plea deal and admitting guilt to the charges in court, Shakira continued to assert her innocence. In a statement issued by her legal team, she explained that she only agreed to the deal to shield her children from the emotional strain of a public legal battle against the government.

It is worth mentioning that her legal troubles did nothing to stop her hometown from honoring her with a statue. The carving, an homage to Shakira’s contributions to the world of music and dance, stands at a monumental 21.3 feet while weighing six tons in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia.

Attached to the statue was a plaque that beautifully summarized the Queen of Latin Music’s multifaceted legacy, with the translated version reading in part, "A heart that composes, hips that do not lie, an unmatched talent, a voice that moves masses, and feet that march for the good of children and humanity."

Since the Grammy Awards recipient could sadly not attend the ceremony in person, her parents, William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, stood in her place. 

Shakira expressed her appreciation for the tribute under a view of her parents proudly standing in front of the towering sculpture. 

"Ay y esta dedicatoria. Esto es demasiado para mi corazoncito," she wrote, which loosely translates to "Oh and this dedication. This is too much for my little heart."