Colombian singers Shakira (L) and Carlos©GettyImages
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Carlos Vives supports Shakira by changing the lyrics of ‘La Bicleta’

Carlos Vives and Shakira have long been friends and collaborators.

Carlos Vives showed his support for Shakira in his most recent concert.

A clip captured by fans shows Vives performing his hit song “La Bicicleta”, which he made alongside Shakira. He made a key omission in the lyrics, showing his tacit support for his friend as she faces the rupture of her decade long relationship with Gerard Piqué.

The video was shared by the Instagram account Lo Se Todo Colombia, and it compares two clips. The first is the original version of the song, which shows Vives singing the lyrics that reference Shakira, singing about her love of Barranquilla and Barcelona. The second clip is the recording of his concert, where Vives doesn’t mention Barcelona, instead making a zipped lips gesture that viewers interpreted as support for Shakira. “That’s what friends are for,” wrote someone in Spanish. “The person that has good friends has no need for anything else,” wrote someone else.

Carlos Vives and Shakira released “La Bicicleta” in 2016, quickly becoming one of their biggest hits. “The work was intense but also delightful. Both for Shaki and for me, being back in our territory, plus the emotional load that this had for us, it was wonderful. We were really happy riding our bikes, singing on our bikes,” said Vives to the Associated Press.

"Elvis" Red Carpet - The 75th Annual Cannes Film Festival©GettyImages
Shakira at this year’s Cannes Film Festival

Shakira and Piqué announced their separation this year, and it’s been a highly publicized media event. Shakira has released numerous singles over the past months, with most of them appearing to address the end of their relationship. “We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the wellbeing of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy,” read their joint statement.

While Piqué hasn’t addressed the breakup publicly, he appears to have moved on with Clara Chia, one of the workers at his company, Kosmos.

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