You've been called the Latin Britney. What do you think of the comparison? Shakira: I think it's great. Any artist who has the courage to reveal herself in front of thousands of people deserves respect. I think probably we have hard work and determination in common, but besides that, it's just that we're both blonde. She definitely has a better stomach than me - believe me, I've seen it. I was surprised to be compared to her at first because we have different musical tastes and come from different backgrounds.

Laundry Service. Is that the worst album title ever?

S: I don't think so. People have said that before though. It's about the fact I've been washed clean. You can say 'te amo' (I love you) in any language. It's about being in love. English is more of a challenge because it's a direct language. Spanish allows you to circle a thought without ever expressing it head-on.

Do you realise some of your lyrics are quite strange?

S: I don't think they are, I just write the way I speak. It's not because of the translation, because the line where I talk about 'my small and humble breasts' in Whenever, Wherever is exactly the same in Spanish. People always ask me about that one. It just means I've learned to accept myself. They are small. But I don't mind any more.

Did you enjoy posing semi-naked for men's mags?

S: Of course I enjoyed it. I felt flattered. For a second, I was like 'Hmm, really? Am I that sexy?' It was fun, but after a while it just gets boring. I'm a little sick of that. I want to move on.

How do you stay in shape?

S: I try to exercise, but I've been travelling so much. And all the chocolate in Europe... I suppose doing the show helps.

Who was the last famous person you met?

S: I had a party last night after my concert and P Diddy came - Eve was there too. What did I talk to him about? His brand of clothing, actually. I think it's pretty smart he doesn't have his name on it, because no one wants to wear clothes with the artist's name on them, do they?

What was it like growing up in Colombia?

S: Colombia has been going through social transformations and in conflict for more than 40 years which of course has an effect on you, but I had a normal childhood too. I was very close to my family and I was educated in a girls' convent school which I loved.

You wrote your first song aged eight. Why weren't you out playing with your friends?

S: I was playing too. I was the leader of this small group of boys and we used to pretend we were detectives and that we had to protect the neighbourhood. I remember I used to fantasise about being a policewoman too. I had loads of Barbies but I never really wanted to play with them. I was always involved in fantasy games - and I guess I still am.

Why don't your skin-tight leather trousers split when you're dancing on stage?

S: They did rip once, not during this tour, but in the past during a performance. It was only a small rip, but it made me think I had to come up with a solution for the future, so we reinforced them - and I always make sure the inner thighs are very stretchy.

Where do you call home these days?

S: To me, home is wherever my loved ones are. I'm 25 and I've been travelling since I was 17, so I don't feel like I belong to one particular place. I've been back to Colombia a couple of times this year and I have a house in Miami, but I've only spent a month there this year, rehearsing for my tour. I'd like to be there more because I like hot weather.

Ricky Martin or Enrique Iglesias - which one is your favourite Latino heart-throb?

S: Are they going to read this magazine? They probably will so I won't say a word about that... Let's just say both are friends. They're both lovely, but of course I have a boyfriend.

Ah yes. Your fiance, Antonio De La Rua, the son of Argentina's ex- President. How did you meet?

S: In a restaurant in Argentina. He was on the next table and I looked over and saw him. I didn't know who he was, I was just attracted to him. Then I kept going to the bathroom so he could see me when I passed his table. It worked.

Are the two of you actually going to get married?

S: We're wondering if we will some day. We really want to but we don't know when that will be - when it's the proper time.

So why don't you wear your engagement ring?

S: I play the drums on stage and it hurts my finger if I play when I'm wearing it, so I don't. My mum has it on now actually. There's something awkward about that, but I had to put it somewhere it wouldn't get lost and that seemed the best place.

What do you spend your money on?

S: I love books. Any book that teaches me something about philosophy or art or history. I don't have much time to shop though.

What do you do in your spare time?

S: I like to go to the beach. I like to read and paint too. I'm not a good painter but it's something I enjoy.

Are you a control freak?

S: Maybe a little bit. I prefer the word perfectionist. I can be a pain in the ass because I have very strong ideas about the way I want things to go, but luckily everyone around me gets that now so it's not so bad. I get involved in everything, the music, the videos, what I wear. It's the only way I can work.

What's your worst habit?

S: Well, I like horror films like Scream or Halloween, but unfortunately I always talk in front of the television, so I can never find anyone who will watch them with me.

Who has the sexier wiggle, you or Jennifer Lopez?

S: What is a wiggle? Aaah. Of course it's J.Lo! I've got a good one too, it's in my blood, but I think she's great. She is a sex symbol. Some people try and put me in that category, but I don't feel I fit there. It's quite strange.

Shakira's Tour Of The Mongoose visits Wembley Arena tomorrow, 16 December

SHAKIRA'S REALITY CHECK

What planet is the blonde bombshell on?

What are the ingredients of a Margarita?

I don't know anything about cocktails. To me, a Margarita is the same as a Pina Colada, but Pina Colada has pineapple . Apart from that, I don't know.

A classic Margarita is tequila, Cointreau and lime juice - nothing like a Pina Colada.

Who wrote Don't Cry For Me, Argentina?

I don't know that either. It was not anyone Argentinian, I know that. Ah well...

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for Evita.

As the current face of Pepsi, how much does a can cost?

I have no idea. I get them for free, and at home my mum does the shopping, so I have absolutely no idea.

Around 45-60p.

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
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