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Shakira’s Backup Dancer Allegedly Sparks Huge Rift After Drawing “Too Much Attention” From Fans
Rumors of a clash between Shakira and Natalia Palomares, a Valencian dancer on her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women No Longer Cry) tour, resurfaced after a recent video went viral.
The tour, which commenced on February 11, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will conclude on October 11, 2026, in Madrid, Spain, saw Palomares become an online sensation.
Highlights
- In 2025, Shakira’s tour dancer, Natalia Palomares, captivated fans with her looks and stage presence, which sparked rumors of jealousy and tension with the Colombian superstar.
- The speculations resurfaced after a recent video of Palomares at Shakira’s Rio concert went viral online.
- Palomares, who is still part of the tour, had addressed the speculations and shed light on her relationship with Shakira after the initial reports surfaced.
Viewers were captivated by Palomares’ appearance, dance moves, and overall stage presence, which led to speculation about backstage tension with the Colombian superstar.
“Shakira might be a touch jealous along with the other dancers,” one user wrote.
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Reports claimed Shakira had fired Natalia Palomares over stage presence
Image credits: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Natalia Palomares became a fan favorite from the get-go and remained a talking point online whenever Shakira performed on her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour.
On May 2, 2026, Shakira returned to Rio for a free concert on Copacabana Beach attended by 2 million people. It made the rift speculations from 2025 resurface, with some even claiming that the singer had fired Palomares for “overshadowing” her on the stage.
Image credits: natotonel
“This is Natalia Palomares, the Spanish dancer who is reportedly causing tension behind the scenes of Shakira’s tour for drawing too much attention on stage due to her exceptionally striking beauty, far beyond what is expected from a typical backup dancer,” a netizen claimed on X.
“No wonder there’s tension. The girl is unreal,” one responded. Another said, “Looks like there’s more drama in the spotlight than just the music.”
“It’s embarrassing to have so much jealousy toward your dancers,” voiced a third.
Image credits: superficlaldoll
@natotonel pa tipos como tú🫵🏼 @Shakira #lmynlworddtour disfrutándome cada escenario. gracias @Edú Quintero ♬ sonido original – Natalia Palomares
However, Palomares was very much part of the dancing troupe for Saturday’s event in Rio. She even shared multiple photos and videos from the concert on her Instagram, where her bio still says she is currently on tour with Shakira.
Some users were quick to point that out, while others refused to believe that a celebrity of Shakira’s fame would react in such a manner to Palomares.
“Oh no, a hot backup dancer stealing the spotlight? The horror. Shakira must be devastated,” one user sarcastically said.
Image credits: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Image credits: bluffkingdom
Another commented, “I don’t think Shakira is worried about her; as a matter of fact, she might as well be happy to have a dancer like that in her crew.”
“Probably it’s a rumor, and I don’t think Shakira is worried at all, though the dancer is a world beauty, and she definitely stands out,” wrote a third.
Natalia Palomares had previously cleared the air on her status in Shakira’s group after the initial rumors
Image credits: natotonel
Back in July 2025, after the initial wave of rumors, Natalia Palomares had opened up about her relationship with Shakira in an interview with Hola! Spain. Palomares shared that she grew up listening to Shakira’s music, and the superstar “significantly contributed” to her pursuing dance as a career.
Their working relationship began in 2019 when Shakira performed at the opening ceremony for the Davis Cup. She later appeared in Shakira’s GirlonFire music video and has been in her group since then.
Image credits: LadyKarineee
@natotonel 20 años de Hips Don’t Lie ❤️ #shakira#fyp♬ sonido original – Natalia Palomares
She described Shakira as “warm, caring, incredibly smart, witty, generous, and genuinely concerned about everyone around her.”
When asked about the controversy, Palomares said that the rumors were completely false.
“What I can say is that I completely deny it, just like all the other rumors you might have seen on social media—many of which are even AI-generated,” she said.
Image credits: natotonel
Image credits: RScottWilson
“To be clear: I am still in exactly the same position I’ve had since the start of the tour, and of course, I haven’t been fired. Shakira and I have worked together for many years, and beyond being teammates, we’re friends.”
She urged people to be more careful about what they spread on social media, as the rumors brought “a lot of hate” her way.
Natalia Palomares had revealed that Shakira’s tour requires psychological support on hand
Image credits: shakira
Natalia Palomares shared that Shakira is involved in every decision-making process in a tour, and Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran was no exception.
However, her dream-come-true career can be intense and exacting, both physically and emotionally.
“Shakira gives her all on stage every single time, and that demands you rise to her level night after night,” Palomares revealed.
Image credits: LpingPro
Image credits: Scott Legato/WireImage
“Working with Shakira means high standards and precision. She’s deeply perfectionistic, fully committed to her art and to how she presents herself to the world.”
To keep up physically, Palomares follows a basic but consistent regimen of gentle movements, breathing exercises, stretching, and mindful rest, along with a healthy diet and supplements of Omega-3, multivitamins, and magnesium.
Image credits: natotonel
For mental health, the group members are provided with a professional on tour, Palomares said.
“I must admit that some days are more challenging than others,” she said.
“What’s amazing is that we’re offered psychological support on tour, so we can have sessions with professionals whenever we need. In my opinion, that’s incredible and very necessary.”
“I smell a bit of insecurity.” The internet reacted to the rumors of a rift between Shakira and her dancer, Natalia Palomares
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What do you think ?
Elladine DesIsles 5 hours ago
This is so ridiculous. And so subjective! While I am not one to judge anyone based on physical appearance, my honest first reaction was, "Wait, that dancer, really?". Both Shakira herself, and every one of the other dancers pictured, all look more appealing to me than the one garnering this attention. Which of course is just my personal taste and, again, why this is silly and subjective.
Elladine DesIsles 5 hours ago
This is so ridiculous. And so subjective! While I am not one to judge anyone based on physical appearance, my honest first reaction was, "Wait, that dancer, really?". Both Shakira herself, and every one of the other dancers pictured, all look more appealing to me than the one garnering this attention. Which of course is just my personal taste and, again, why this is silly and subjective.
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