Shakira wasn’t always the world-famous superstar who can bring stadiums to their feet. In fact, this Colombian singer was once denied the chance to sing in her own school choir.
She recalled, “I never made it to the school choir because the music teacher didn’t like my voice”. Other classmates teased her for having a vocal sound “like a goat,” which left her feeling embarrassed and shut out.
Her teacher’s critique must have stung, especially for someone who loved music so deeply from a young age. “I was pretty sad,” she admitted, “But my dad told me to never give up”.
Shakira took that advice to heart. Even if she was once mistaken for a bleating farm animal, she didn’t let a few naysayers block her road to success.
Over the years, she embraced her one-of-a-kind vibrato, pointing out that “some people still think that it’s too much”. Instead of silencing her distinct tone, Shakira used it as a stepping stone to differentiate herself in the crowded pop industry.
When talking about her unusual singing style, she joked about being compared to a goat, once saying, “I hope it was a cute goat”. Rather than taking offense, she saw humor in it and pushed forward.
By age thirteen, Shakira had secured her first record deal. There she was, the same kid who’d been banned from the choir, now dazzling executives at Sony Colombia with that “goat-like” voice.
Her breakout albums, Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones?, showed the world that this “goat” was actually a promising artist with remarkable range. Then came her English crossover album, Laundry Service, which contained the smash hit “Whenever, Wherever” and propelled her onto the global stage.
Critics began to see that her voice was not just unique—it was extraordinary. The very quality that a few short-sighted adults once scoffed at had become a signature style, blending rock, pop, and Middle Eastern influences.
Shakira’s vocal path might have been bumpy at first, but her resilience brought her tremendous fame. She even performed at a World Cup closing ceremony and shared the Super Bowl halftime stage with Jennifer Lopez, proving that the “Queen of Latin Music” is unstoppable.
It’s inspiring that despite her teacher’s harsh words, she spent countless hours perfecting that iconic vibrato. Shakira’s dad, who always urged her to keep practicing, surely saw the brilliance that others were slow to notice.
Looking back, Shakira has said, “He was probably right, I did have a voice a bit like a goat,” but she made peace with her past and marched on. Today, her goat-like vibrato and mesmerizing belly dancing moves have helped sell 80 million records worldwide, winning the hearts of millions.
She’s living proof that a little rejection can fuel enormous determination. Nobody could ever guess she once struggled to get into her own school choir.
Now, Shakira’s voice is as legendary as her hip-shaking dance moves. She has topped the charts multiple times and racked up Grammy Awards – a far cry from the days when she was told she wasn’t good enough for the choir.
Shakira’s journey reminds us that a so-called “flaw” can become the key to success when we believe in ourselves. If a teacher or anyone else underestimates your talents, keep singing your song, because you might just go on to become the Greatest Of All Time—goat voice and all.
