Shakira’s Global Citizen 2025 Triumph : The Great Lawn of Central Park has witnessed countless historic moments, but on a crisp September night in 2025, it surrendered completely to the rhythm of a global icon. Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, the woman who needs only one name, didn’t just perform at the Global Citizen Festival; she orchestrated a cultural reset. This wasn’t merely a concert; it was a masterclass in artistic evolution, a celebration of resilience, and a thunderous declaration that her voice, both literal and metaphorical, is more potent than ever.
For anyone wondering if the queen of fusion could still command the world’s stage, the answer was a resounding, hip-shaking “YES.” Let’s dive into the unforgettable moments that made her Global Citizen 2025 performance an instant legend.
The Buildup For Shakira : A Stage Set for a Supernova
The anticipation for Shakira’s set was a tangible force rippling through the massive, diverse crowd. Sandwiched between other A-list headliners, the energy shift when her stage was prepared was unmistakable. The air crackled with a unique blend of excitement, a feeling reminiscent of a world cup final or a long-awaited reunion. Fans wielding Colombian flags stood shoulder-to-shoulder with those who had discovered her through her viral Music Sessions, proving her cross-generational and cross-cultural appeal.
As the sun dipped below the Manhattan skyline, the massive screens flanking the stage flickered to life. The iconic opening chords of “She Wolf” began to pulse through the speakers, but in a surprising, slowed-down, almost cinematic arrangement. The crowd erupted, knowing what was coming.
The Entrance : A Goddess Descends – Shakira
Shakira did not simply walk onto the stage; she materialized. Emerging from a plume of theatrical smoke, she stood silhouetted against a blazing wall of light, a powerful pose held for a breathless moment. Her entrance was a statement in itself: confident, commanding, and utterly captivating. Dressed in a custom, shimmering bodysuit that echoed both warrior armor and modern haute couture, she looked every bit the global superstar she is.
She kicked off the set not with a full-throttle song, but with a powerful a cappella snippet of the chorus from “Whenever, Wherever,” her voice echoing across the park before the signature pan flute sample dropped and the band exploded into the full, familiar rhythm. The strategic choice to reimagine her classic hit demonstrated an artist in full control of her legacy, unafraid to play with nostalgia while firmly planting one foot in the present.
The Setlist : A Journey Through a Legend’s Career – Shakira
Shakira’s setlist was a meticulously crafted journey, a greatest-hits collection re-engineered for maximum emotional and energetic impact.
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The Reintroduction (She Wolf / Whenever, Wherever): The opening one-two punch was designed to immediately connect with the collective consciousness of the audience. It was a reminder of her unique brand of pop that has always been infused with global rhythms.
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The Hip-Shaking Core (Hips Don’t Lie / La Tortura): This segment was pure, unadulterated Shakira. The transition into “Hips Don’t Lie” was seamless, and the sight of hundreds of thousands of people in Central Park moving their hips in unison was a breathtaking spectacle. Her performance of “La Tortura” with a virtual duet partner was a brilliant nod to her Latin pop roots and a crowd-pleaser for her core fanbase.
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The Emotional Crescendo (Te Felicito / Sessions #53): This was where the performance deepened. She took a moment to address the crowd, speaking passionately in both English and Spanish about the power of music to heal and the importance of global solidarity—the core mission of the Global Citizen movement. She then launched into “Te Felicito,” her delivery laced with a raw, cathartic energy that resonated deeply. This was followed by a stripped-down, powerful rendition of her collaboration from the Music Sessions Vol. 53, showcasing the incredible, raw texture of her voice that sometimes gets overshadowed by her dance prowess.
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The Grand Finale (Waka Waka / Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53): The finale was pure fire. She brought the set to a close with the global anthem “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” transforming Central Park into a worldwide party. But the true, show-stopping moment was the final song: “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.” The opening bassline was met with a deafening roar. As she delivered each pointed lyric, the crowd sang along with a fervor that felt like a collective release, cementing the song’s status as a modern-day empowerment anthem.
Beyond the Music : The Dance, The Voice, The Message – Shakira
What separates a good performer from a legend like Shakira is the synthesis of all elements.
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The Iconic Dance Moves: Yes, the hips were as hypnotic as ever. But her choreography has evolved. It was sharper, more powerful, and intentionally less polished—more about raw expression than perfect synchronization. It felt authentic, powerful, and utterly mesmerizing.
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The Vocal Prowess: Shakira’s voice was in top form. She effortlessly navigated between her powerful chest voice and her signature, haunting vibrato. She held notes longer, ad-libbed with confidence, and proved that her instrument is as agile and unique as her dance style.
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The Stage Command: She owned every inch of the stage, often coming to the very edge to lock eyes with fans, her smile radiating a genuine joy. She wasn’t just performing for an audience; she was communing with them.
The Cultural Impact : Why This Performance Mattered
Shakira’s Global Citizen 2025 performance was more than just a brilliant show. It was a cultural moment. It served as a powerful reminder of her unparalleled ability to unite people across languages, ages, and backgrounds. In an era of fragmented pop culture, she remains a rare unifying force.
Her set was a testament to her resilience, channeling personal and professional challenges into art that is both personally vindicating and universally relatable. As reported by Rolling Stone in their festival coverage, her performance “wasn’t just a comeback; it was a coronation of her new era, one where she holds all the power.”
Furthermore, her presence on a platform like Global Citizen, which advocates for issues like poverty and climate change, amplified her role as a influential public figure. By using her art to draw attention to these critical causes, as highlighted by Global Citizen’s official mission, she demonstrated the real-world impact a musician can have.
The Verdict : An Unforgettable Night
In the days following the festival, social media was flooded with clips and praise, with her name trending globally for over 24 hours. Music critics were unanimous in their acclaim. Billboard noted that her performance “solidified her status not just as a pop star, but as a global institution,” a sentiment echoed across the music journalism world.
Shakira at Global Citizen 2025 was a force of nature. It was a performance that celebrated a storied past while fearlessly charging into the future. It was a display of artistic integrity, physical power, and emotional depth that few artists on the planet can match. She didn’t just sing her hits; she relived them, reinvented them, and poured a lifetime of experience into every note and every movement.
For the millions who witnessed it, either in person or through streams, it was a powerful reminder: never underestimate the woman, the artist, the icon. The wolf’s command over her territory is absolute, and her howl is louder than ever. To truly understand the scale and success of the entire event, you can read about the full festival lineup and its impact in this report from ABC7 NY.
