SHAKIRA has opened up about the battles she has faced and shared how she 'survived a duel' in her first tell-all interview following her split from Gerard Pique.

The Colombian superstar admitted she has always been "emotionally dependent on men" but the recent challenges in her life have made her stronger.

The pop star previously described the "darkest time" the months that followed her split from the former Barca defender and a probe for alleged tax fraud.

Speaking to Mexican journalist Enrique Acevedo, the Hips Don't Lie singer has shared how she was able to "pick up the pieces and restart."

She said: "I've always been dependent emotionally on men, I have to confess.

"I have been in love with love and have been able to understand from that story that there is another perspective. 

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"When a woman has to face the battles of life she comes out super strong.

"When you come out strong is because you understand your own weaknesses and accept your vulnerability.

"Express what you feel, that pain. Because they say the opposite of depression is expression.

"Now, paradoxically, I feel complete. I feel that I depend on myself and I have two children that depend on me so I have to be stronger than a lioness.

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"That strength in order to be true and not a facade, it has to be a result of surviving a duel, to accept it, to tolerate the frustration.

"There are things in life that don't come out as you want.

"There are broken dreams and you have to pick up the pieces from the floor and start again.

"And I also want to be an example for my kids- to show what you can survive, these battles of life."

Speaking about her latest hits including the explosive diss track Shakira Bzrp Music Sessions 53, the singer also explained how music became her "therapy" after realising " not all dreams in life come true."

I realised pain is simply an emotion we always try to avoid but it is a part of life.

She said: "I think that I also bought that story that a woman needs a man to be complete, a family.

"I also had this dream of having a family where the kids would have a mum and a dad under the same roof.

"Not all dreams in life come true but life finds a way to compensate you in a way and I think with me it happened with my two amazing kids that fill me with love every day."

Shakira continued by saying her bombshell split from Pique was a "moment of brutal honesty" when she realised who her true friends were before stating she is ready "for the next round."

And discussing her recent life experiences she added: "Life has decided to place me in sometimes uncomfortable positions to give me an understanding of how others live.

"I have lived wealth, I have lived poverty.

"I realised pain is simply an emotion we always try to avoid but it is a part of life.

"I now have more confidence in myself.

The star concluded the chat with the phrase "You have to have faith, faith in yourself."

The revealing interview comes days after the release of her latest song "TQG." 

In another hit to Pique and his new girlfriend Clara Chia, Shakira sings: “Seeing you with the new one hurt me.

“What we lived I forgot. And that is what has offended you.

“And life has got even better for me. You are no longer welcome here.

“I saw what your girlfriend threw at me. That doesn't even make me angry, I laugh, I laugh.”

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Meanwhile, Shakira's new exclusive sweatshirt mocking her ex has sold out hours after the singer modelled it on her website.

The outfit, designed by her niece, shows Shakira recording her song alongside a line from the lyrics that read: "Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan," which translates as: "Women don't cry anymore, they cash in."

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