What Shakira And Gerard Piqué’s Body Language Says About Their 11-Year Relationship

In this image of the couple’s first red carpet appearance in 2012—about a year after confirming their relationship—it appears that Piqué is either kissing Shakira on the top of her head or whispering something in her ear. Either way, it’s a protective gesture, explains Donaldson. “A kiss on the top of the head is a tender and caring gesture, it shows that Gerard is protective of Shakira,” she notes. “It also indicates a close emotional bond between the two of them.”

This backstage photo of Shakira and Piqué at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards is proof that this pair shared something special. Uh, just look at the way they’re holding each other.

“Shakira cups Gerard’s head as she kisses him. It’s a highly intimate gesture that signals, ‘I’m into you. You’re all mine and I’m all yours,’” says Donaldson. At the same time, they’re both smiling and looking into one another’s eyes as they lean in for the kiss, which shows that “they’re focusing on each other and nothing else,” Donaldson adds. Read: These two are madly in love and enjoy each other’s company on various levels.

In this image of the couple celebrating Piqué, who was then playing for FC Barcelona, and his team’s win at the 2015 Copa del Rey Final match, you can tell that they’re united as one, says Donaldson. His hand over her fist, the close hug and their faces touching are all signs that they’re there for one another no matter what, Donaldson explains.

However, while Piqué has his hand over Shakira’s, she doesn’t open her palm to increase their skin-to-skin contact, which “can indicate that there is a little bit of distance between the two,” Donaldson notes.

Here, “Gerard seems to be in protection mode as his body is turned towards Shakira,” says Donaldson. But his eye expressions and look are focused elsewhere, she adds.

Shakira, for her part, “continues to walk in a manner that’s disconnected from Gerard,” Donaldson notes. As you might notice, there’s no attempt at hand holding—not even the slight touching of shoulders while walking.

The way Shakira is touching Piqué’s face here, and the way he’s leaning in to receive her touch is basically them non-verbally communicating, “I care about you and want to be connected to you,” says Donaldson.

The cluster of those three gestures—the face touching and leaning in of both partners—is telling that “there is synchronicity between the two of them and deep love,” Donaldson explains. “It’s a visual love connection,” she adds.

…or at least was.

In this photo, Piqué has his hand placed over Shakira’s shoulders—covering her upper torso. He’s essentially taking Shakira under his wing, says Donaldson. He has her back and is “ready to protect and support [her] whenever needed.”

This image of Shakira and Piqué—plus their children—at the 2021 Balloon World Cup in Spain shows a “united family,” explains Donaldson. That’s clear from the couple placing a hand on each child, and making an effort to hold hands, too.

But while Shakira is holding onto Piqué’s hand here, her facial expression does not match the love and care associated with that gesture. Her face is “a bit strained, which can potentially signal that her heart is not behind her actions,” says Donaldson. Perhaps this was the beginning of the end, or trouble had been brewing for a while. Whatever was going on behind the scenes, these parents were able to put their differences aside and come together for their kids.