It was labeled the biggest betrayal in celebrity friendships, and now, three years later, Carlos Vives is looking back on one of the most unexpected social media controversies of his career. The Colombian singer, who rarely gets in trouble, has maintained a close friendship with Shakira for decades.
The pair have released songs, performed at festivals, traveled, and even done charity work together for many years. So, when in 2023, after his Instagram account appeared to "like" a photo posted by Gerard Piqué featuring his new partner, Clara Chía, hell broke loose, and Shakira’s fans were unforgiving with Vives.
© Gerard PiqueAt the time, the interaction quickly sparked outrage, especially from those who interpreted the gesture as support for Piqué following his highly publicized split from the global superstar. Critics flooded social media, with some even accusing Vives of committing "high treason" against his longtime friend.
Years have passed, and most people have even forgotten about the situation; however, the moment resurfaced during a recent interview with Puerto Rican broadcaster Jorge Pabón, better known as "El Molusco," who reminded the singer about the controversy.
"At one point, a like from your account appeared on a photo of Clara Chía and Piqué, and of course Shakira's fans came after you because of it," Pabón said.
© AFP via Getty ImagesThe reminder immediately sent Vives into laughter. "Which one was it? What happened? What happened?" he joked as the host recounted the story.
As Pabón continued explaining how fans reacted to the social media activity, Vives laughed even harder when he was told many people viewed it as an act of betrayal toward Shakira. "No way, no way," the singer replied.
Carlos Vives Defends His Relationship With Shakira
Vives then took a more serious tone, explaining that his connection to both Shakira and Piqué goes back years. "Besides, Shakira, Piqué, the children, we've all spent time together. We've shared moments as families. You don't get involved in that kind of thing," he said, highlighting the complicated position he faced having the exes as mutual friends.
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesVives has long been one of Shakira's closest friends in the music industry. The pair famously collaborated on the 2014 hit “La Bicicleta,” and their friendship has remained strong throughout the years, even when they got sued in Spain for alleged plagiarism involving the aforementioned track.
Carlos Vives' Explanation at the Time
When the controversy exploded in May 2023, Vives insisted the interaction was not intentional. While appearing on the TV show “La Mesa Caliente,” he explained that several people help manage his social media accounts. "Someone who was managing things, reviewing content, I imagine, liked it. They got me into trouble," he said at the time.
He described the situation as an "office accident," suggesting that someone from his team accidentally interacted with the post while carrying out routine account management.
Carlos Vives Now Has a Different Version
But now, during his latest interview, Vives offered a playful new theory about who may have been responsible. "I have one danger in my life, and it's called my wife," he joked, referring to his wife, Claudia Elena Vásquez. "Sometimes she does things and... I think it was her who gave the like. I'm sure my wife, or someone around there, liked it."
© AFP via Getty ImagesWhile he was able to laugh about the controversy years later, Vives also reflected on the pressures that come with constant scrutiny on social media. "We're exposed to all these things. It's incredible, and it's really unnecessary," he said.
He ended with a simple appeal to fans and internet users: "Take it easy, guys. Life is hard enough already."
