The Reason Shakira Skipped the 2025 MTV VMAs Despite Winning

THE RUNDOWN

• Shakira was not at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
• She won Best Latin Song for “Soltera.”
• She was previously honored with the Video Vanguard Award in 2023.

Shakira took home the Best Latin Song award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, but she didn’t attend the Elmont, New York, ceremony. While her song “Soltera” beat out tracks by Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Karol G, and more, Shakira remained away from the event because she had a concert that night in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Shakira has been touring throughout the country, with her next Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran show set for Puebla on September 11.

She was photographed performing in Mexico City on August 26:

Despite missing tonight’s show, the star has a longstanding connection with the VMAs. She made history in 2023 by becoming the first South American artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award, joining recipients like Beyoncé, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, and The Beatles. Before being honored with her statuette, she gave a stunning performance of a medley of her biggest hits, including “She Wolf,” “Te Felicito,” “Objection (Tango),” “Whenever, Wherever,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” and “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.”

Her last performance before receiving the 2023 Vanguard Award was in 2006, when she performed with Wyclef Jean. In 2005, Shakira sang “La Tortura” with Alejandro Sanz, another moment in VMAs history as it was the first performance sung entirely in Spanish at the awards show.

When accepting the Vanguard Award, Shakira thanked her two sons, Milan and Sasha, before thanking her fans.

“Especially I want to share this award with my fans who always support me through thick and thin. Thank you so much for being my army and helping me fight all my battles. This is for you,” she said. “Lo quiero muchísimo.”