Shakira savors Obaman change

Shakira told CNSNews.com that Barack Obama is “not a messiah” and he’s “not going to fix” America’s problems overnight, but “we have to believe.”

Her comments were made during an interview with CNSNews.com at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Feeding America inaugural ball.

When asked how she thinks Obama can get America’s economy moving again, Shakira said he has already achieved an “amazing” thing: the “world believes in America … again.”

“I think that he’s already achieved an amazing thing – and he hasn’t even started – and that is that the world respects America, the people of America believe in America again, and they’re full of hope – so that’s a good beginning. And the rest, of course, is a complex process, you know – he’s not a messiah. He’s not going to fix it all overnight. But we have to believe, and we have to bring the best of us out there,” she said.

Shakira, the highest selling Columbian recording artist in history, is not an American but calls herself a “citizen of the world.”

“I’m speaking as if I were an American, and I’m not, but I am a citizen of the world, and I care too much about this country,” she said. “I love this country as well, and I really hope that there are better times for all of us.”

When asked if the election of Obama has changed her life, Shakira said he is inspiring “all of us” in some way but one man cannot change the world.

“I think it is inspiring us – all of us in some kind of way. I think that it already sends a strong message to every kid around the world who’s now dreaming about the possibility to become anything they want. They can become president of their own nation if they want – if they work, they study, and they persevere, and I think that’s what we all have to do, you know?” she said.

According to its Web site, Feeding America is the nation's “leading domestic hunger-relief charity.” Every year, the Feeding America network provides food assistance to “more than 25 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States.” This includes more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors.

Shakira rose to fame in America with her 2001 English-speaking debut album “Laundry Service,” which sold over 3 million albums in the United States alone and 15 million worldwide. According to BMI, Shakira is the highest selling Columbian recording artist in history with more than 60 million albums sold across the world.

She has won two Grammy Awards and eight Latin Grammy Awards. Her most recent hit single in America is “Hips Don’t Lie,” featuring Wyclef Jean from her platinum English-speaking album, “Oral Fixation Vol. 2.” via

Shakira at A.L.A.S. Concert in Buenos Aires