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๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡จ Ecuador /Culture & Society

Shakira Recreates Herself as a Meme, Igniting Social Media Frenzy

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Colombian singer Shakira recreated a famous 1997 meme of herself, posting the updated image on August 4, 2026.
  • The original photo, taken at El Heraldo newspaper, showed a young Shakira in an office setting with a turned-off computer.
  • Fans reacted enthusiastically to the new image, noting Shakira's enduring youthful appearance and her skillful management of her public image.

Colombian superstar Shakira has once again captured global attention by humorously recreating a viral meme of herself from 1997. On August 4, 2026, the singer surprised fans by sharing an updated version of the iconic image, which originally featured her in an office environment. The new photograph shows Shakira posing at a modern desk with a functioning printer, a stark contrast to the 1990s scene. She accompanied the post with the caption, "I have the impression that I've seen this before." The original photograph was taken by photojournalist ร“scar Berrocal in 1997 during an interview at the El Heraldo newspaper in Barranquilla, following the success of her album "Pies Descalzos." The meme gained traction years later due to the detail of the turned-off computer in the background. Shakira's latest post has generated significant buzz online, with fans praising her youthful appearance and the clever way she engages with internet culture. The reaction highlights her consistent ability to manage her public image effectively, as both the original and recreated images are widely shared across digital platforms. Beyond her social media presence, Shakira remains active in philanthropy through her Pies Descalzos Foundation, which focuses on providing quality public education to vulnerable children in Colombia. Her estimated net worth is reported to be around $300 million.

I have the impression that I've seen this before.

โ€” ShakiraAccompanying her recreated 1997 meme on social media.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.