Shakira and her sons express strong disapproval towards ‘Barbie’
Shakira’s Stance on ‘Barbie’ and Masculinity
Colombian superstar Shakira recently revealed her sons’ disdain for the movie “Barbie,” describing it as “emasculating” in an interview with beauty magazine Allure. The Grammy-winning singer, who shares two sons with former partner Gerard Piqué, expressed partial agreement with their sentiment, emphasizing her desire for her boys to feel empowered while also respecting women.
In her candid interview, Shakira stressed the importance of pop culture empowering women without undermining men’s roles in society. She highlighted the need for a balance where both genders feel empowered and valued:
“My sons absolutely hated it. They felt that it was emasculating. And I agree, to a certain extent,” she said. “I’m raising two boys. I want ‘em to feel powerful too [while] respecting women.”
“I believe in giving women all the tools and the trust that we can do it all without losing our essence, without losing our femininity,” the singer continued in the interview, published Monday.
“I think that men have a purpose in society and women have another purpose as well. We complement each other, and that complement should not be lost.”
‘Barbie’: A Cultural Phenomenon and Feminist Discourse
The 2023 blockbuster movie “Barbie” stirred significant controversy and conversation with its overt feminist themes. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film delves into the matriarchal society of Barbieland before exploring themes of feminism and patriarchy as Barbie and Ken venture into the real world.
While the movie garnered praise for its female empowerment message, it also faced criticism for its portrayal of misogyny. Some argued that depicting misogyny as stemming from incompetence rather than malice could be misleading.
Despite the debates surrounding its portrayal of feminism, “Barbie” transcended cinema to become a political and cultural phenomenon. Gerwig expressed her hope that the movie would invite diverse perspectives and encourage viewers to reflect on societal norms that may not serve them well.
