Los Angeles: Columbian Pop star Shakira broke down in tears as her father serenaded her at a star-studded Las Vegas dinner celebrating her career.
Black Eyed Peas rapper Taboo and Mexican rocker Alejandra Guzman also turned up to toast the 34-year-old singer as she was named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year at the special tribute, reported the San Fransisco Chronicle.
Venezuelan star Franco De Vita and salsa legend Gilberto Santa Rosa were among the acts who performed Shakira’s hits, but the night’s most poignant moment came as her father William Mebarak stepped onstage to serenade her. Shakira wiped away tears as Mebarak sang the classic song ‘Mi Nina Bonita’ (My Pretty Girl), while pictures of the father and daughter appeared on a big screen behind him.
“Thank you, daddy, for that song,” she later said. Salsa star Marc Anthony was on hand to present Shakira with her crystal plaque, telling the crowd, “We are in the presence of one of the most special human beings, one of the most talented human beings you will ever meet.”
“I’ll carry this night with me always.
It’s an honour that I am not sure I deserve, but you’ve made me very happy,” she said while accepting the award.
For the grand finale, Shakira dedicated the track ‘En Barranquilla me Quedo’ to her hometown of Barranquilla and showed off her salsa moves as she danced onstage.
The honour capped a golden week for Shakira, who became the first Colombian to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on earlier this week. (PTI)
