Tomorrow, the MTV Video Music Awards will honor Shakira with the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, making her the first South American artist to receive this recognition. In anticipation of what promises to be an unforgettable evening, let’s take a moment to reflect on Shakira’s 2005 performance of “La Tortura.” The electrifying and sensual performance featured a surprise guest, Shakira’s good friend Alejandro Sanz. By 2005, Shakira had already earned international success and acclaim, and her performance showcased her powerful vocals and impressive dance skills, which captivated fans with her iconic hip movements. The energy from the live audience and viewers at home intensified when Sanz joined Shakira on stage, as he is also featured in the song.
The undeniable chemistry between them was evident as he strummed the guitar and they belted out powerful vocals that harmonized perfectly. The Colombian beauty seductively danced on him, leaving the audience awestruck. “La Tortura” had already achieved commercial success before their performance, topping charts across the world, selling millions of copies, garnering critical acclaim and accolades, receiving extensive radio airplay, and performing exceptionally well in the then-developing digital music landscape. It has since become one of Shakira’s most iconic and successful songs.
Fans are eagerly anticipating Shakira’s upcoming performance, which promises to be a jam-packed showcase of her year’s worth of musical work. Her social media posts of rehearsals have generated excitement among her followers. It will also mark a special occasion as she returns to the event after 17 years since her last performance during the awards ceremony in 2006, where she performed her hit song “Hips Don’t Lie” with Wyclef Jean.
Shakira, a renowned 46-year-old singer, has received two nominations for this year’s awards. She has been nominated for Artist of the Year and Best Latin Song for her collaboration with Karol G on the track “TQG.” It is worth noting that the Artist of the Year category comprises exclusively of women nominees for the first time since its introduction in 2017. The category includes Shakira and Karol G alongside Beyoncรฉ, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift. Check out the complete list of nominees at this link.
