‘I Had to Double-Check’: Shakira Stunned...
‘I Had to Double-Check’: Shakira Stunned by Historic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nomination
BARRANQUILLA, COLOMBIA — Even for a global icon with over 30 years of record-breaking success, some milestones still feel like a "punchline." Speaking to Billboard this week, Shakira admitted she was completely blindsided by her nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2026, confessing that her initial reaction was one of pure disbelief.
“I thought someone was joking with me,” the 49-year-old superstar said with a laugh. “I actually had to double-check the news. It’s not something you ever really expect, even when you’ve been doing this as long as I have.”
A Full-Circle Moment for the ‘Rock Kid’
While the world knows her for global pop anthems like "Hips Don't Lie," Shakira’s musical foundation was forged in the grit of 90s rock. Growing up in Barranquilla, she was a self-described "rock kid" obsessed with the likes of Nirvana, Metallica, and Led Zeppelin, influences that were heavily present in her breakout album Pies Descalzos.
“I dreamt about things like this when I was starting out, but I never thought they could actually come true,” she added. “To be nominated alongside icons I’ve adored my whole life... it’s pretty crazy, honestly.”
Breaking the "Glass Ceiling" in Cleveland
If inducted this April, Shakira would make history as the first Colombian artist and the first Latina born and raised in Latin America to enter the Hall. She is part of a 2026 ballot that experts are calling one of the most diverse and competitive in the Foundation’s history.
The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
| First-Time Nominees | Returning Nominees |
| Shakira | Mariah Carey |
| Phil Collins | Iron Maiden |
| Lauryn Hill | Oasis |
| P!nk | The Black Crowes |
| Wu-Tang Clan | Sade |
| Jeff Buckley | Billy Idol |
The Rock Hall Foundation noted that Shakira’s nomination celebrates her unique ability to "bridge the gap" between Latin rhythms and rock-and-roll sensibilities, a fusion that has defined her 12-album career.
A Record-Breaking 2026
The nomination comes amidst a career-defining year for the singer. Her current world tour, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, has officially set a new record as the highest-grossing tour by a Hispanic artist, recently crossing the $422 million mark following a historic free concert at Mexico City’s Zócalo that drew over 200,000 fans.
Despite the accolades, Shakira insists that the nomination itself is the true prize.
“Even if I don't make the final cut in April, just being recognized by the Rock Hall is a huge motivation,” she told ABC Audio. “It inspires me to keep pushing for the next 30 years. I feel like I’m just getting started.”
What’s Next?
The Class of 2026 inductees will be officially announced in late April. Fans can still participate in the "Fan Vote" on the Rock Hall’s official website, where Shakira currently sits in the top five alongside Iron Maiden and Cher.
As the "Queen of Latin Music" prepares for her upcoming shows in Rio de Janeiro and Paris, she does so with a new title potentially on the horizon: Hall of Famer.
