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Music Feature

Latin Diva battle

By Elizabeth Bromstein

Oh, the Diva Latina! Remember Charo? There hasn’t been a true Latin Diva to hit the international stage since, well, if you remember Charo you’re old enough to do your own math.

Enter Shakira, who makes her first appearance in Toronto tonight (Thursday, November 28) at the Air Canada Centre. Baffled by Shakira’s success? Of course you are. But don’t be. She’s a Latin Diva. She shakes her ass, she tosses her hair, she tosses it again, she gyrates. You wanna fuck her and you wanna be her. Your head is spinning with lust and envy.

Many have tried and failed to become the Latin Diva. Christina Aguilera even went so far as to release an album in Spanish, learning the lyrics phonetically. Until recently, she held the title of the "thinking man’s Britney."

Now that Shakira is crossing boundaries to sing in English, can Christina hold onto that sceptre, or will the red-hot Latina usurp the throne?

Here’s how Christina and Shakira stack up.

Untitled

	Shakira	Christina
Name means	The graceful one	A Christian, little Christ or the Christ bearer
Mickey Mouse Club?	No	Yes
Music	Latin, pop, rock, Middle Eastern	R&B, soul, hiphop, Latin
Height	5 feet	5 foot 2
Naturally blond?	No	No
Spanish fluency?	Yes	No, but can fake rap-speak on award shows, f’real dawg!
Album sleeve image	Low-rise pants, bare midriff, long blond hair in liner notes	Low-rise pants, bare midriff, long blond hair on cover
Video aesthetic	Likes rolling in mud	Has extras roll in mud
Love life	Fiancé Antonio de la Rua, featured in Underneath Your Clothes video, is son of ex-Argentine president Fernando de la Rua	Recently split with backup dancer Jorge Santos
Rock ’n’ roll?	Loves Zeppelin, the Police, the Cure, Nirvana	1999 Grammy outfit is on display in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum
Memorable quote	"I prefer a noble heart and a sterile intelligence."	"So, where’s the Cannes Film Festival being held this year?"
Latin Grammys	3	1

NOW | November 28-December 5, 2002 | VOL 22 NO 13

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