Shakira Named Harvard’s Artist Of The Year

Well deserved! We’ll clap for this!

Harvard University announced this morning that Colombian singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Shakira has been named their 2011 Artist of the Year by the school’s foundation. Gorgeous!

S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation, released a statement, explaining their choice, saying:

“The students and faculty of the Harvard Foundation are honoured to present multiplatinum artist Shakira with the 2011 Artist of the Year award. Her contributions to music and distinguished history of creativity have been applauded by people throughout the world, and she is greatly admired worldwide for her humanitarian efforts through her Barefoot Foundation.”

Honestly, she is such a beautiful person, inside and out. They really couldn’t have picked anyone better to honour.

Shakira will be awarded the foundation’s most prestigious honour at the annual Cultural Rhythms award ceremony on Feb. 26.

Congrats, BB! Put it right next to all your Grammys!

Shakira Passes One Billion YouTube Views!

Shakira Passes One Billion Views on YouTube

We know Shakira has a lot of fans, but the singer has finally reached the billion mark – as in one billion views on YouTube.

The numbers come from combining her three official channels, Shakira, ShakiraVevo and Shakirasme.

Naturally, Shakira is thrilled with the news as she reveals on her blog:

“I’m really happy to hear the news. One billion views around the world is an unthinkable number and more than I could ever have dreamed of.”

And she has her hit Waka Waka to thank for a part of it as the Spanish and English versions make up over 300 million of the views.

Congrats!