How a Shakira impersonator became embroiled in bizarre World Cup body double theory

A woman has spent 20 years performing as a tribute act to World Cup final co-headliner Shakira.

ShakiBecca, whose real name is Rebeca Maiellano, began her career in Venezuela impersonating Shakira in talent shows.

She was so good at recreating the singing and dancing of Shakira, not to mention bearing a striking resemblance to her, that she was able to start getting bookings as a tribute act.

Since then she has gone on to have a global career with covers Shakira's various hits, including World Cup hit 'Waka Waka' and 'Hips Don't Lie'.

Shakira herself has even praised ShakiBecca's performance, sending a message to Shakebecca praising her in which Shakira said: "Shakibecca, you've left me speechless. A big kiss. You do it incredibly well, you confused me, for a moment I thought it was me, but I think you do it better."

This has also seen her gain some 660,000 followers on social media, and one photo on Shakibecca's Instagram really showed just how striking the similarity between the pair is.

This was when they actually met, with the picture showing them side by side, and Shakibecca writing: "Thank you for always making time in your busy schedule on this #eldoradoworldtour to share a few golden minutes with the fans who decided to overcome whatever obstacles and trials were necessary to reach you."

Over the years, ShakiBecca has repeatedly stressed that she is a tribute act and has no official affiliation with Shakira's team.

This included in a post on her Instagram, where she wrote a disclaimer in Spanish on a post: "I am Shakibecca, a tribute artist, a professional impersonator of Shakira. I am not Shakira. This profile is independent and is intended solely for the purpose of entertainment and informing."

She added: "I am not affiliated, associated, or officially connected with Shakira or her entities."

Despite this, speculation has once again started online that Shakira has used a body double in some of her performances and even that it's Shakibecca, despite there being no evidence of this.

Many took to social media to share their theories.

“What's up with Shakira? She looked like a completely different person (compared to) a few weeks ago in Rio de Janeiro. IS THAT A BODY DOUBLE?” one wrote.

“I'm crying, how is it that they've put Shakira's stunt double at the inauguration????” another asked.

Others disputed the claims, stressing that of course it was Shakira who was performing at the event.

One wrote: "After a thorough investigation into the rumours that the person who appeared today is not Shakira, I'll tell you what the expert fans say: they assure that it is indeed her.

"They mention a scar on her forehead, she looks tall because she's wearing sneakers with a higher sole, and she appears thinner. As for her face, they consider that the swelling attributed to Botox would be an additional factor, and that would explain the use of the glasses.”

Despite her repeated assertions that she is not affiliated with Shakira, FIFA is reportedly now reviewing whether her giving a performance inspired by Shakira and Burna Boy's song 'Dai Dai', the 2026 World Cup's official song, infringes on rights which are associated with the World Cup.

This could potentially include the use of FIFA imagery, visual elements, and branding without being authorised.

LADbible has approached representatives of Shakibecca and Shakira for comment.