hellomagazine.com

SHAKIRA GETS HIP TO A WINNING STREAK

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28 APRIL 2006

Colombian star Shakira has recently taken the charts by storm with her latest single Hips Don't Lie. And the 29-year-old bombshell proved her point once again on Thursday night, when she took to the stage at the Latin Billboard Awards in a gypsy-style red skirt and purple bikini top.

The diminutive diva made light work of whipping the audience in Fort Lauderdale's Hard Rock Casino into a frenzy with her waist-wiggling performance, before sweeping the board by taking victory in six of the award categories.

Given that she learned belly-dancing from her Lebanese grandmother, who thought it would be a good way for her to stay in touch with her Middle Eastern roots, it's no surprise the chanteuse has something of a talent for shaking her booty.

The self-effacing performer, whose name means "grateful" in Arabic, was clearly overwhelmed by the deafening roar of approval that filled the venue when she was named winner of the gong for best Latin female album, though. "Wow! Thank you," she said. "This is for all of you, my fans, who have been accompanying me, understanding and protecting me all these years."

And she was also visibly moved when four children from her charitable organisation, the Bare Feet Foundation, appeared to present her with Spirit Of Hope award in recognition of her humanitarian work. The irrepressible performer also took home four trophies for The Torture, her duet with Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz.