For years, fans of Shakira and Alejandro Sanz have speculated about the palpable chemistry in the music video for La Tortura. The longing looks, the playful tension, the raw emotion — it all seemed too real to be just acting. Now, nearly two decades later, Sanz has finally addressed the rumors in a candid interview with Spanish journalist Jordi Évole.
Speaking openly, Sanz acknowledged that the connection was genuine. When asked directly if there was something more between them, he didn't dodge: “I am not saying there wasn’t, but she had a boyfriend, who was a friend of mine, Antonio de la Rúa. I also had a partner.” That simple admission confirms what many suspected — the chemistry was real, but boundaries were respected.
Sanz emphasized that maintaining their friendship was the best decision they could have made. “I am grateful that nothing happened. The friendship we have is one of the most beautiful things. I wouldn’t want to lose it,” he confessed. In fact, the two now joke about the situation, with Sanz saying any romance between them would feel like “incest” given their deep fraternal bond.
More Than Rumors: A Shared Obsession with Perfection
Beyond the romantic speculation, Sanz took the opportunity to highlight Shakira’s relentless work ethic. The Colombian superstar, known for hits like Hips Don’t Lie and Waka Waka, is a perfectionist who doesn’t release anything until it meets her exacting standards. Sanz recalled a night when they stayed locked in the studio until dawn, editing the La Tortura video frame by frame. “She called me to correct every detail until it was how we both wanted it,” he said.
This dedication is what has made Shakira a global icon and what cemented the mutual respect between them. Their professional relationship, built on shared ambition and creative intensity, has outlasted any fleeting rumors. For Sanz, that’s the real story — not what could have been, but what actually was: a partnership rooted in admiration and artistry.
The interview with Évole serves as a reminder that behind the headlines and fan theories, there’s a real bond between two artists who chose friendship over fleeting passion. It’s a narrative that resonates deeply with their bicultural audience, many of whom grew up with La Tortura as a soundtrack to their own lives.
For more on Shakira’s journey, check out our coverage of her financial surge after her breakup with Gerard Piqué and her upcoming free concert in Copacabana. And for a look at another Colombian talent, read about Alejandra Rodríguez, the mother behind Michael Jackson’s biopic star.
