- June 12, 2026
‘Was That Really Shakira?’: Viral Body Double Theory Explodes After FIFA World Cup 2026 Performance
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A record-breaking World Cup appearance turned into a viral conspiracy debate as viewers questioned whether the performer was actually Shakira.
‘Was That Really Shakira?’ Viral Body Double Theory Explodes After World Cup Performance (AP)
Global pop icon Shakira made history on June 11 by becoming the first artist to perform at four separate World Cups, debuting the tournament’s official song “Dai Dai” alongside Afrobeats giant Burna Boy. But almost immediately after her performance, social media didn’t just catch fire—it plunged headfirst into a bizarre, viral conspiracy theory: Was that actually Shakira, or did a body double take the stage?
Within minutes of the opening ceremony, timelines on X (formerly Twitter) were flooded with skepticism. The 49-year-old singer’s performance prompted fans to dissect every frame of the broadcast.
Multiple viral posts pointed out that the performer lacked Shakira’s trademark, otherworldly hip-shaking energy. One user widely shared a clip, claiming: “Watch how she messes up the step when she sings Dai Dai… That’s a double.”
Many noted she looked noticeably thinner and taller than usual, further fueling theories that a last-minute replacement had been called in. “It’s not Shaki. Something urgent came up at the last minute, and I feel like at the very last second they called in a stunt double… What do you think?” wrote one fan in a post that racked up many interactions. Another user added: IF THAT’S SHAKIRA, MY GRANDMA WENT TO THE MOON… Even among artists, they seem to take us for fools.”
Some pointed out to differences in her hair colour and her ensemble. One comment read: Wow. “Backstage, she has the scar, rings, and fishnet stockings. In the performance, mysteriously none of the three things…”
No es Shaki. Algo pasó de urgencia a última hora y siento que al último momento llamaron a una doble, porque no tiene su energía, ni se ve igual, y luego sale con lentes. ¿Qué opinan? 🤔🕵️♀️ pic.twitter.com/rCccGNnp0g— PolitiCrack, (@AnalistaClara2) June 11, 2026
Her loyal fans though, gave it back to internet sleuths. One user wrote (translated): “After a thorough investigation into the rumors that the person who appeared today is not Shakira, I’ll tell you what the expert fans say: they assure that it is indeed her. They mention a scar on her forehead, she looks tall because she’s wearing sneakers with a higher sole, and she appears thinner. As for her face, they consider that the swelling attributed to Botox would be an additional factor, and that would explain the use of the glasses.”
About the Author
Mallika Bhagat is a Deputy News Editor at News18, where she leads the Lifestyle and Viral desks. A seasoned journalist and content strategist, she brings a decade of high-impact experience from India’…Read More
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