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Image credit: Shakira: Tammie Oroyo/AFF/Retna

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Shakira

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You've been traveling around the world to promote your record -- do you have time to listen to other artists these days?
I do have time, but not like when I was in my puberty. Then I used to lay on my bed and listen to all kinds of music. Now when I get in the car I put on Iggy Pop or the Clash, especially ''London Calling.'' When I can relax at home I listen to Bob Marley.

I hear you also like Led Zeppelin…
I love rock & roll -- it's my true passion -- but I'm also very curious about authentic music from other countries. That's probably why my music is a reflection of all that. I try to do a fusion of elements that belong to many cultures, but do it in more of a rock & roll groove with electric guitars and all that.

You have a reputation for being in control of every aspect of your career. Is it hard being a strong woman in an industry dominated by men?
I used to have many more difficulties at the beginning of my career. When I was 13 years old, I recorded my first album. I was very opinionated and sure about what I wanted, and it was very hard to be part of the adult world and give my opinion every 20 seconds when people wouldn't understand that. Executives just wanted to have control of me and my career. I used to wonder, ''Oh my God, is the problem mine? I must be the one with the problem because this cannot be so complicated.'' But I realized as time went by that I was right and I needed to follow my instincts. So that's what I've been doing, following my instincts. Thank God I'm stubborn!

Your video for ''Whenever, Wherever'' is very... dramatic. So let's talk about acting. Mariah, Britney, Madonna -- they've all done movies. Why not Shakira, too?
Hmmm [laughs]. I've never thought about that. In my case, I think there are many more interesting stories to tell in the movies than the one of my life. It's not that interesting, honestly. It's a regular artist's life, with ups and downs, disappointments, moments of success... I think that people already know this story, no?

Maybe. But I'm fascinated about all the press coverage you get around the world. What's the funniest or falsest thing that's been written about you?
Oh, they say that I have a $10 million house. Once they said that I'm the third richest woman of my country. Oh, I wish! They enjoy speculating about my life, what I have, what I earn -- and my love life. They have created romances that never existed.

Do they follow you and your fiancé, Antonio, everywhere you go?
I've always had a good relationship with journalists. I answer what I feel I should -- and what I don't feel I should, I don't. But with the paparazzi, it was really crazy. I had never seen anything like that: 50-year-old guys climbing trees like monkeys to be able to take pictures of me and my boyfriend –- to catch us holding hands! I mean, it's pretty obvious that if somebody is dating somebody they're gonna hold hands at some point, right?

Right... One thing that surprised me was reading that you're half Lebanese and that your name is Arabic. Has anything negative happened to you or your family because of Sept. 11?
I think this country is evolved enough to understand that there are Muslims who are not Arabic and there are Arabics who are not Muslims -- and most Muslims and Arabics are not terrorists. One thing doesn't necessarily equal the other. I'm pretty sure Americans have that clear, and that's what makes this country one that everyone feels proud of. As for me, I don't have any problems. I come from a Lebanese family that is Catholic -- and we are not terrorists at all!