Shakira Opens Up About Her Sons' Dislike for 'Barbie' Movie
International music icon Shakira reveals that her two sons strongly disliked the movie 'Barbie' as they found it to be 'emasculating.' Shakira shares her partial agreement with their sentiment, sparking a conversation about gender stereotypes in children's entertainment.
Colombian singer Shakira recently revealed that her two sons did not enjoy the movie "Barbie" at all, as they found it to be "emasculating." She mentioned that she could see where they were coming from and somewhat agreed with their perspective.
During an interview with beauty magazine Allure, Shakira expressed her preference for pop culture that empowers women without diminishing the role of men. She believes in a balance where women are uplifted while still allowing men to fulfill their traditional roles of protecting and providing.
The Grammy-winning singer has two sons, Milan, born in 2013, and Sasha, born in 2015, with her former partner Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué.
Michael Cera arrives at a photo call for "Barbie," Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Michael Cera arrives at a photo call for "Barbie," Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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"My sons really didn't like it. They thought it made them feel less manly. And I kind of understand where they're coming from," she shared. "I have two boys and I want them to feel strong, but also have respect for women."
"I support empowering women and giving them the confidence to do anything without losing who we are, without losing our femininity," the singer added in the interview, which was released on Monday.
I believe that both men and women have unique roles in society that complement each other. It is important to recognize and appreciate these differences without losing sight of the value each gender brings.
Last summer, the movie "Barbie" made a big impact, earning over $1.4 billion at the box office. This sparked discussions about its portrayal of feminism. The film was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, which is under the same parent company as CNN.
Greta Gerwig's movie starts in Barbieland, a matriarchal society, before Barbie and Ken, portrayed by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, venture into the real world. Ken then learns about the patriarchy and tries to bring it back to Barbieland.
The movie's strong feminist themes went beyond just cinema, sparking conversations about its political and cultural significance. It led to a lot of discussions on what the movie symbolized.
Margot Robbie as Barbie in Warner Bros. Pictures' "Barbie".
Margot Robbie as Barbie in Warner Bros. Pictures' "Barbie".
While many people appreciated the female empowerment message at the heart of the film, some critics raised concerns about how misogyny was depicted as stemming from incompetence rather than intentional harm.
Shortly after the release of "Barbie," some conservative figures criticized it as being too "woke." However, Gerwig shared with the New York Times her hope that the movie would serve as an invitation for everyone to join the celebration and move past things that may not benefit us as women or men.
She expressed her wish that the film, with all its passion, could provide the same sense of relief to those who watch it or interact with it, just as it has done for others.
Editor's P/S:
Shakira's comments on the "Barbie" movie have sparked a conversation about the portrayal of gender roles in media. While some may agree with her sons' perspective that the film was "emasculating," others may argue that it presented a nuanced and empowering message for both girls and boys. The movie's success at the box office and the discussions it has generated highlight the importance of creating media that reflects the diverse perspectives and experiences of our society.
It is crucial to recognize that gender roles are not static and can vary across cultures and time periods. The "Barbie" movie, by presenting a matriarchal society in Barbieland and then exploring the challenges faced by Barbie and Ken in the real world, offers a thought-provoking commentary on the complexities of gender dynamics. By encouraging open dialogue and critical thinking about these issues, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable society where individuals are valued for their unique contributions, regardless of their gender.
