“Like a Goat”: Shakira's Teacher Banned Her from the School Choir

Shakira’s unique voice, which distinguished her from other singers, was harshly mocked at school. Her distinguishing feature was compared to the cry of an animal.

When Shakira was in grade school, aspiring to become a singer and dancer in her native Colombia, she got bluntly removed from the choir by her teacher. The classmates also said she sounded like a goat.

Fortunately, the musician didn’t let the brutal criticism get her down and relentlessly pursued her dream.