The Real Reason Shakira Didn't Have Surgery On Her Voice

Shakira is a woman of many talents. Along with being a dancer, actor, songwriter, and philanthropist, she is also a global singing sensation who has performed on some of the biggest stages around the world. In 2017, the chart-topping star faced a shock when she found out she may never be able to sing ever again due to suffering a hemorrhage in her vocal cords. It was so bad, Shakira also struggled to speak.

"I always thought there were going to be things in my life that would go away, like beauty, youth, all of that stuff," the "Hips Don't Lie" hitmaker told The Guardian in 2019, adding, "But I never thought that my voice would leave me, because it's so inherent to my nature. It was my identity. So when I couldn't sing, that was unbearable. There were times I couldn't even get out of bed – I was so depressed."

At the time, Shakira's two sons were only two and four years old, therefore, she found it very hard to communicate with her kids who couldn't read. "I had to communicate through signs and nobody could understand me," Shakira added. Fortunately, her voice came back eventually and she was able to do what she loves to do best. Despite being told to have surgery on her voice, Shakira decided not to. Keep reading to find out why.

In Shakira's 2019 interview with The Guardian, she revealed she tried more holistic approaches — including meditating, hypnotherapy, and even visiting Lourdes, France to get holy water — instead of having surgery on her voice. When Shakira was finally able to sing again, the "Underneath Your Clothes" hitmaker said, "it felt like I was having some kind of religious experience."

In a new cover story interview with Cosmopolitan, Shakira opened up about how "lucky" she felt to have such a supportive fan base that has championed her throughout her career. "I've had a great fan base that has been so loyal. Even when I lost my voice," she expressed, adding, "In that darkest hour of my life, I realized how lucky I was. All those people gave me everything I needed to heal. And I healed. Contrary to what the doctors said."

When the interviewee insisted Shakira never had surgery because she "trusted her gut," the Latin star admitted it actually felt unsafe. "It was too dangerous. I cried every single day while my voice was gone. I never thought how important having a voice was until I lost it. I never stopped thanking my voice when it was back," Shakira explained. Since getting her voice back to great health, Shakira has embarked on a world tour and performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Jennifer Lopez. She's back on top, and extremely thankful to be there.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.