Colombian singer Shakira did not let her little baby bump get in the way of some serious performing on Sunday night at the closing ceremony for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The pregnant singer delighted fans with several performances of her hit singles. The performance was the first for the 35-year-old singer since announcing her pregnancy in September. “In a few minutes it will be our baby's first time on stage and precisely at a football event! Magic,” the Colombian songstress tweeted before taking the stage.
After months of rumors surrounding Shakira and her FC Barcelona boyfriend Gerard Pique’s impending parenthood, the singer confirmed her pregnancy on her website in September 19. "As some of you may know, Gerard and I are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby!" the singer wrote.
The fiery Latino later confirmed reports that the couple was expecting a boy to Germany’s RTL. According to reports, the singer was admiring photos of her interviewer’s son when she confirmed the sex of her first baby.
Speculations of Shakira’s pregnancy, which swept the summer rumor mill, were first reported by Colombian magazine Gente. The magazine was also the first to report that the couple had taken to calling their baby “Ulicito,” prompting rumors that the couple was expecting a boy.
Shakira told RTL, “This guy [Pique] is the best thing that ever happened to me in my whole life. And now we're having a baby."
The singer and Pique, 25, first met while filming her music video for the South Africa World Cup single “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” in 2010. Shakira confirmed her relationship with the FC Barcelona defender through her social media sites in March 2011. Pique, who is also part of the Spanish National Team, won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euro Cup Championship along with his team.
Following her performance in Baku on Sunday, Shakira tweeted, “I felt awesome on stage! We really enjoyed tonight!”
Gente magazine reported that Shakira is expected to give birth in January 2013 through cesarean section.