In a major controversy swirling across social media, fans are accusing Shakira of “copying” and “plagiarizing” Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” tour during her own “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour. After the Colombian singer’s opening show at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro, images surfaced online on Tuesday, prompting fans to draw striking parallels with the iconic elements of Beyoncé’s record-breaking 2023 tour.
One photo that caught widespread attention featured Shakira utilizing a large screen to showcase an image of herself alongside the title of her tour, which bore a remarkable similarity to Beyoncé’s display of the word “RENAISSANCE” in bold, silver letters during her shows. Moreover, Shakira incorporated a giant metallic wolf onstage, echoing the gigantic silver horse that was a hallmark of Beyoncé’s presentations.
Additionally, fans observed that Shakira and her dancers were adorned in striking silver outfits, reminiscent of the attire worn by Beyoncé, her dancers, and fanbase throughout the “Renaissance” tour. As criticism spread on social media platforms, one user on X tweeted, “Shakira said they were studying Beyoncé but they actually ripped everything that wasn’t nailed to the floor omg.” Another added, “Beyoncé’s team needs to sue Shakira at this point.. she wasn’t taking notes, she’s plagiarizing.”
Amidst the backlash, a third user expressed frustration, stating, “The Shakira tour copy/paste is wild. I’m trying not to think too much of it but it’s crazy how the team just redid Beyoncé’s entire process for this.” A lighter note was struck by another fan, who jokingly remarked, “At this point, I’m gonna have to go see Shakira on tour since Beyoncé won’t release the ‘Renaissance’ film.”
Conversely, there are voices defending Shakira’s artistic choices, arguing that she was merely “inspired” by Beyoncé rather than replicating her work. One supporter stated, “BeyHive, y’all are doing way tooooo much about this Shakira stuff. … But, we have fallen into a pattern of always dunking on people who show they’re inspired by her. It’s unnecessary!”
Another defender commented, “You guys can stop dragging Shakira now. It’s been 2 days… She was clearly inspired as she said she took notes when she attended the ‘Renaissance’ Tour. Imitation is also a form of art, and she was clearly impressed by the ‘Renaissance’ Tour, and that’s a compliment to Beyoncé.”
Shakira, known for her hit song “Whenever, Wherever,” was among the many celebrities in attendance at Beyoncé’s tour in 2023. Back then, she had mentioned to Billboard that she was “working” and “taking notes” during her experience at the concert in Tampa, Florida. Once friends, Shakira and Beyoncé collaborated on the 2006 track “Beautiful Liar,” maintaining a bond over the years despite the current situation.
The ongoing discussion reveals the complex nature of artistic influence and originality within the music industry, especially as fans rally behind their favorite artists. Whether or not Shakira is indeed borrowing from Beyoncé remains a contested point, yet the impact of this debate is palpable, highlighting the intense scrutiny placed upon artists and their creative expressions.
