Shakira was seen departing from a Miami airport with her two sons on Tuesday, following reports of potential legal trouble regarding tax fraud that could lead to an eight-year prison sentence.
Authorities in Spain allege that the singer falsely claimed to reside outside the country from 2012 to 2014 while actually living in Barcelona with her partner, soccer star Gerard Piqué, who plays for the local team. The couple, who share two young sons, are now separated amidst allegations of infidelity on Piqué’s part.
In response to the charges, Shakira is reportedly contemplating a permanent move to Miami, where she was spotted arriving with her boys Sasha, aged seven, and Milan, aged nine. The family had apparently flown in from Los Angeles, where they attended an LA Dodgers game, as seen on Shakira’s Instagram. The Colombian star, 45, has already repaid the $15.5 million she is accused of evading in Spanish taxes, plus an additional $3 million in interest.
A spokesperson for Shakira stated, “Shakira has consistently cooperated and complied with the law, demonstrating exemplary conduct as an individual and taxpayer, and has faithfully followed the advice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, a respected global tax firm.”
Despite the turmoil, Shakira appeared composed as she navigated the airport with her sons. The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer exuded effortless style in a peach summer dress paired with white espadrille platforms and a matching purse slung over her wrist. She wore her voluminous brunette hair parted down the middle, cascading over her shoulders.
Opting for a fresh-faced look upon arrival in Florida, potentially her new home base, Shakira showcased her natural beauty with minimal makeup, accentuated by black eyeliner and pink lipstick.
Amidst the legal and personal challenges, Shakira’s social media focus has largely been on her professional endeavors, particularly her role as a judge on NBC’s reality competition show “Dancing With Myself,” alongside Nick Jonas and Liza Koshy.
In a departure from her usual updates, Shakira shared a rare photo on Tuesday with her sons enjoying a day at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Captioned with gratitude towards the Dodgers for their hospitality, the Instagram post featured Shakira posing with her children alongside three players from the team.
The devoted mother was seen strolling hand-in-hand with her boys, dressed in coordinated outfits of red T-shirts and black shorts paired with athletic sneakers. At one point, her younger son Sasha affectionately kissed her hand, capturing a tender moment amidst the challenges Shakira faces.
Shakira’s last Instagram post featuring her sons was in early May, celebrating Mother’s Day with a heartfelt message about their importance in her life. The post hinted at the ongoing custody negotiations with Piqué and the potential separation from her children due to the looming legal proceedings.
Facing the prospect of up to eight years in prison if found guilty of tax fraud, Shakira could potentially miss a significant portion of her sons’ formative years.