Shakira Asks for Privacy for Her and Gerard Piqué's Sons After "Difficult Year"
Shakira's words don't lie and this time she's asking for privacy.
As she and sons Milan, 10, and Sasha, 8, move from Barcelona to Miami following her split from Gerard Piqué, the singer, 46, shared a statement asking the public to give her family some space amid their new chapter.
"In this period of change in my life as a public figure, it's understandable that there is a permanent curiosity on behalf of the press around me and my family," Shakira tweeted April 10. "However, my children, Milan and Sasha, have endured a very difficult year, suffering incessant harassment and persecution without relief by the paparazzi and several media outlets in Barcelona."
The "Hips Don't Like" singer also established some parameters that she hopes allow her kids some normalcy.
"Now that they are beginning a new life," Shakira's message continued, "I implore the media on behalf of my children to please respect their right to privacy."
She added, "I beg you to abstain from following them to the entrance and exit of their school, wait for them at the door of our home, or follow them to their extracurricular and recreational activities as the media did in barcelona with the intent of capturing photos or boosting ratings."
Speaking for her boys, the "Whenever, Wherever" artist noted that they just want to be able to feel "safe and tranquil" in public and at school.
Shakira shared: "I trust that the journalists and photographers here will be sensitive to the situation and that Milan and Sasha are facing and can behave in the more humane way possible with them, keeping in mind that this is about the physical and emotional health and safety of two minors just 8 and 10 years of age."
Concluding her message, Shakira pleaded with the media that she is coming to them not an artist but instead as "a mother who wishes to protect and care for the psychological and emotional well-being of my children so they may live a happy and healthy life, as all children deserve to do."
Shakira captioned her tweet, "Respected friends, journalists, and media outlets…"
The Grammy winner and Gerard, 36, confirmed they had broken up after 11 years together last June. Several months later, in November, a source confirmed to E! News that the pair, who never married, reached a custody agreement that noted Shakira's plan to move with the kids to Miami to be closer to her family.
And that part of her journey has begun as the musician recently reflected on the major life change.
"I settled in Barcelona to give my children stability, the same that we are now looking for in another corner of the world next to family, friends and the sea," Shakira captioned her Instagram post April 2, via translation. "Today we start a new chapter in the pursuit of their happiness."
Gerard has also spoken out about respecting Milan and Sasha's privacy in the wake of the breakup.
"It is about protecting them," the soccer player told El Pais during an interview published last month via translation. "That is the job of all parents with children. That is what I am focused on and that is my job as a father."
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