Shakira Used a Double at the 2026 World Cup? Singer's Dancers Respond to Viral Online Theories

Speculation ran rampant on social media following Shakira's performance with Burna Boy at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony, with many users questioning if the Colombian superstar actually performed or if she used a body double. The theories gained traction on platforms like X, where users pointed to perceived differences in her facial features, hair, and even her dance moves as proof that it wasn't the real Shakira on stage at the Estadio Ciudad de México.

Some users amplified their doubts by noting her consistent use of dark sunglasses during the performance, interpreting it as an attempt to conceal her identity. These viral theories suggested that the artist might have employed a double to appear before millions of viewers during the highly anticipated event.

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We danced with her at the opening. Go see our videos, they are in our stories. We have photos with her, we talked with her. Stop saying it wasn't Shakira, because it was her.

However, as the online debate intensified, many fans defended Shakira, attributing any perceived differences to natural physical changes or cosmetic procedures. The controversy reached a point where members of Shakira's own artistic team decided to address the rumors directly. Dancer Ángel Fernández, who participated in the opening show alongside his partner Danna Navarrete, shared a video on TikTok to debunk the claims.

Fernández asserted that he and his colleagues worked directly with Shakira during rehearsals and the performance itself. "We danced with her at the opening. Go see our videos, they are in our stories. We have photos with her, we talked with her. Stop saying it wasn't Shakira, because it was her," he stated. Navarrete emphasized the immense effort and preparation involved in the spectacle, urging people not to diminish the hard work of the artistic team.

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We danced with her at the opening. Go see our videos, they are in our stories. We have photos with her, we talked with her. Stop saying it wasn't Shakira, because it was her.