Following her performance at the World Cup final halftime show, singer Shakira connected with a constellation of stars backstage, sharing moments with fellow performers and celebrities. The images, posted to her Instagram, captured her interactions with figures such as Beyoncé, David Beckham, and Tom Cruise at the MetLife Stadium.
Shakira, 49, reunited with Beyoncé, 44, whom she previously collaborated with on the 2007 hit "Beautiful Liar." Both artists were photographed in the VIP area, with Beyoncé's husband Jay-Z also present.
Elsewhere, Shakira was seen conversing with former England football captain David Beckham. She also shared photos with actor Tom Cruise, Anya Taylor-Joy, members of the K-pop group BTS, and comedian Kevin Hart. A notable exchange occurred with YouTuber MrBeast, 28, with whom she took selfies. Shakira expressed her admiration for MrBeast's philanthropic work, stating, "I wish there were more people in the world like you."
During her performance, Shakira donned a sparkling custom Roberto Cavalli bodysuit and performed "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy. "Dai Dai" serves as the official anthem for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with royalties from the song supporting educational initiatives for underserved children. Sony Music pledged to match the first $250,000 raised for the fund.
While Shakira was performing, her ex-husband, Gerard Piqué, 39, watched the match with their two sons, Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11. Spain ultimately secured the World Cup title, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time with a goal from Ferran Torres.
Shakira has a history of performing at World Cup events, having appeared at four of the last six tournaments. Her previous performances include "Hips Don't Lie" at the 2006 closing ceremony, "Waka Waka" in 2010, and "La La La" in 2014.
The singer reflected on her connection to the World Cup, noting, "Every World Cup is really magical, and I think this one is going to be all about bringing people together in this very sensitive moment in time, socially and politically." She also commented on her personal growth, stating that she feels stronger now than she previously believed and that past heartbreaks have provided valuable lessons that contribute to personal betterment. Shakira's twelfth studio album, "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran," released in 2024, helped her process her separation from Piqué, which she has described as a period of grief that was not linear but ultimately a path to healing through music.