What To Know
- Social media users speculated that Shakira used a body double during her performance at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony.
- Some viewers pointed to discrepancies, such as thinner legs, bad dance moves, and a different face.
- Many fans dismissed the conspiracy as ‘illogical.’
Some FIFA World Cup viewers are convinced that Shakira used a stand-in at Thursday’s (June 11) opening ceremony in Mexico City, where the Colombian singer performed the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai.”
The star-studded event featured performances by J Balvin, Maná, Lila Downs, and Shakira, ahead of the opening game between Mexico and South Africa. Shakira’s performance saw her singing and dancing alongside cheerleaders while wearing a yellow mesh top, white shorts, and dark shades.
However, theories quickly spread on social media that the “Hips Don’t Lie” hitmaker was, well, lying. The rumor spread after one X user shared a clip of the performance, writing, “That’s not Shakira. Watch how she messes up the step when she sings Dai Dai… That’s a double. Shakira lied to everyone.”
Others jumped aboard the theory, with one commenter adding, “Immediately it was clear that it wasn’t her. Legs totally different, much thinner, and her face. Even the hair.”
Esa no es Shakira.
Vean como se equivoca en el paso cuando canta Dai Dai…
Esa es una doble.
Shakira les mintió a todo el mundo. pic.twitter.com/c3nxeCBufQ— TermoEcu 🇪🇨🇪🇦🎙⚽️ (@TermoEcu2021) June 11, 2026
“For some reason she used a body double, why, I don’t know,” added another.
“They slipped us the Temu Shakira!” another quipped.
Another shared a screenshot of the performance, writing, “This person is NOT @shakira.”
Esta persona NO es @shakira pic.twitter.com/d9xiHkJ5F9
— Mariana Morales (@NitaMorales) June 11, 2026
However, not everyone was on board with this wild conspiracy theory. Many pointed out how Shakira has a small but noticeable scar on her forehead, which was visible during the performance.
“Days and days rehearsing just to send in a body double. She’s Shakira and she looks spectacular, and like anyone, she gets nervous and flubbed a step,” wrote one X user.
“Don’t be illogical, of course it’s her, because she was even at the rehearsals. She just overdid the Botox,” said another.
She just got Botox and hasn’t deswollen,also why would they put the the exact same scar that shakira has on the “impersonators forhead” pic.twitter.com/KvXIt72Bka
— Nordic 🇮🇸 (@NordicVikingur) June 12, 2026
“She just got Botox and hasn’t deswollen, also why would they put the exact same scar that shakira has on the ‘impersonators’ forhead,” another added.
Another wrote, “Shakira’s been in Mexico for days rehearsing, but apparently one random tweet is enough to convince some of you that it wasn’t her. The level of stupidity is actually impressive.”
“A last-minute body double who learned the full choreography, synced moves, and even the forehead mark in 30 minutes? Come on… Shakira’s almost 50, stadium lights, fresh Botox and sunglasses in Azteca’s sun is classic Shakira hips don’t lie energy,” said one commenter.
What do you think? Did Shakira use a body double at the World Cup opening ceremony? Or have people lost their minds? Let us know in the comments below.
TV Guide Magazine’s 2026 World Cup Preview Special Issue is available for order online now at worldcup.tvgm2026.com and for purchase on newsstands nationwide.