Twenty years after unleashing one of the most iconic tracks of the 2000s, Shakira proved she’s still that girl. On May 6, the Colombian superstar celebrated the 20th anniversary of “Hips Don’t Lie” with a high-energy performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon—and the crowd (plus the entire internet) couldn’t get enough.

The Fallon performance reminded us exactly why Shakira became a global icon

Wearing a custom red knit gown by Natalia Fedner, Shakira opened the performance by kneeling in sand, then rising into that signature hip-shaking choreography that made her a household name. Wyclef Jean soon joined her on stage, and the pair, backed by live musicians and dancers, turned Studio 6B into a time portal straight to 2006.

The performance wasn’t just a nostalgia trip. Shakira danced hypnotically, clapping sand into the air as she twirled across the stage. It was a masterclass in presence, energy, and stage dominance. “COLOMBIA!” she shouted mid-performance, channeling national pride, Caribbean rhythms, and joy into every step.

How “Hips Don’t Lie” became a cultural reset

“Hips Don’t Lie” didn’t start out as a Shakira song. As Music Radar reports, the track originated as “Dance Like This,” a Wyclef Jean and Claudette Ortiz collaboration for the Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights soundtrack. But when Shakira heard it, she had a vision. She reworked the track, added her vocals, and helped shape the final reggaeton-infused version we know today.

According to sound engineer Serge Tsai, quoted in Sound on Sound, Shakira was deeply involved in the song’s production, even earning a co-producer credit. “She knows what she wants,” he said. Her decision to layer the track with a sample of Jerry Rivera’s 1992 salsa hit “Amores Como el Nuestro” sealed its timeless sound.

The result? A number one hit in over 50 countries and Shakira’s first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1. The song became one of the best-selling singles of all time and changed the way the U.S. music industry viewed Latin pop artists.

Shakira explained the song’s name, and it’s iconic

The title wasn’t just catchy. As Shakira told Women’s Health, it came from a very real studio practice. “When I’m in the studio, I know when a song is ready […] exactly when my hips start moving,” she said. “I used to say to my musicians, ‘My hips don’t lie! Are they moving? They’re not moving! So this is not ready.’”

It’s the kind of quote that could only come from Shakira—self-aware, confident, and charming as hell.

She’s not done yet: Shakira has more Tonight Show appearances lined up

As Billboard confirmed, this performance is just one of three planned Tonight Show appearances for Shakira this month. On Thursday, May 8, she’ll return for a sit-down interview with Jimmy Fallon, where she’s expected to reflect on the legacy of “Hips Don’t Lie,” her new album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, and the kickoff of the U.S. leg of her world tour.

Later this month, she’ll also perform her 1996 classic ballad “Antología” on the show, proving she’s still got range, longevity, and a deep connection to her roots.

Shakira’s tour and new album are keeping the momentum going

Shakira’s Fallon appearance isn’t just about the past. It’s also about where she’s headed. According to UPI, she’ll begin the North American leg of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour on May 13 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The tour has already shattered records, earning $70.6 million from just 11 shows in March.

The new album, released in March 2024, channels transformation and healing. “I was trying to rebuild myself, and music was the glue,” Shakira said, per UPI.

So yes, her hips still don’t lie. But more importantly, neither does her power to reinvent herself—and stay at the top—decades into her career.

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