Shakira dedicates Grammy win to 'immigrant brothers and sisters'
What's the story
Colombian singer Shakira used her acceptance speech at the 67th Grammy Awards on Sunday night (US time) to speak against US President Donald Trump's contentious immigration policies. The Hips Don't Lie hitmaker, who won Best Latin Pop Album for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, dedicated her award "to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country." She further expressed solidarity by stating, "You are loved. You are worth it and I will always fight with you."
Family dedication
Shakira's tribute to hardworking women and her children
In her speech, Shakira also recognized "all the women who work really hard every day to provide for their families," calling them "the true she-wolves." She shared the award with her children, Milan and Sasha, who were in attendance. The singer said she was proud of their kind hearts and thanked them for their support.
Controversial humor
Trevor Noah's joke about Colombia and Shakira fell flat
However, the ceremony wasn't without its controversies. Host Trevor Noah made a poorly received joke about Colombia and its struggle with crime. He quipped that Shakira "was the greatest thing out of Colombia that isn't a Class A felony." The comment was particularly ill-timed given the nearby protests against Trump's stringent immigration policies and threats of widespread deportations.
Voting humor
Noah's joke about Grammy voting process and 'illegal immigrants'
Noah also tried his hand at humor while explaining the Grammy voting process, saying that the 13,000-member Recording Academy's voting class included "20 million illegal immigrants." The joke further underscored the ongoing tension surrounding immigration issues in the US. The Trump administration has been aggressively pursuing the deportation of undocumented immigrants, with recent policy changes permitting arrests at previously safe places like schools and churches.
Career highlights
Shakira's upcoming world tour and Grammy performance
In lighter news, Shakira celebrated her birthday on Sunday and is gearing up for a world tour. She also performed at the Grammy ceremony, giving a glimpse of her upcoming shows across North America. The singer's win and performance at the Grammys was a high point in her career, even as she utilized the platform to bring attention to pressing social issues.