This friendship—like, this is perfection.
When Shakira was struggling after her split from longtime partner Gerard Piqué, she received support from fellow musician Chris Martin.
"He was there for me when I got separated and was heartbroken," the "Hips Don't Lie Singer" told Rolling Stone in comments published Dec. 19. "He was checking in every day to see how I was doing, sending me words of support and strength and wisdom."
Shakira announced her separation from Gerard—with whom she shares sons Milan, 11, and Sasha, 9—in 2022 after 11 years together.
"The suffering I felt was probably the greatest I had ever experienced in my entire life, and it kept me from functioning at times," Shakira explained in a Rolling Stone interview published in June. "It felt like someone had stabbed a hole in my chest. And the sensation was so real, almost physical. I physically felt like I had a hole in my chest and that people could see through me."
Shakira and Chris, both 47, have been friends for years. The two have performed together and also worked together on The Voice in 2014, when she was a coach and he was a mentor to the contestants.
Shakira praised Chris' compassion. "I see him as a person who sees life through a different lens," she said, "who's sensitive to other people's needs and very empathetic, very empathetic."
Chris said he was 11 the first time he felt intense empathy toward someone. "I remember sitting with this other kid on a minibus, and I could just tell that there was stuff going on, but we didn't know how to articulate anything," he said. "Just like, 'Why do I feel so strongly what this guy is going through?'"
The singer, who went through heartbreak of his own when he and Gwyneth Paltrow—who share kids Apple, 20, and Moses, 18—"consciously uncoupled" after 10 years of marriage and divorced in 2016, said he feels "people's sadness really heavily."
"And my own s–t I feel pretty heavily," Chris added. "Maybe that’s just being human. Or maybe you need to feel that if you’re the kind of person songs get sent to."
Look back at Shakira and Gerard's family photos…
Magical Memories
Family vacation! Shakira shared snapshots of her and her children visiting Disney World in Florida in January 2022.
All Smiles
The mother-son duo wore their Mickey Mouse ears while enjoying a day at the amusement park.
No. 1 Fan
"Watching the @miamiheat win while having a hugs and kisses session," the artist captioned a December 2021 Instagram post, "(sweeter than a pound of cotton candy!)"
Her “New Dancers”
Shakira posted a video of herself and her "new dancers" brushing up on their choreography to TikTok in August 2021.
Happy Holidays
Shakira spent time with her boys after Christmas and couldn't help but snuggle up with all of them.
Muddy Buddies
Gerard Piqué had a boys' day with his sons Milan and Sasha in October 2018.
Best Buds
These two are best friends and it's too cute.
Mom's Biggest Fans
Sasha and Milan looked like little rockers as they watched their mom in concert in summer of 2018.
New Year's Eve Blast
The family of four rang in the new year together in a snowy location in 2017.
Face Time
After Sasha got sick in 2016, Shakira shared this snap to show how happy and healthy he was.
Kisses
Happy baby, happy father.
Travel Buddies
The "Whenever, Wherever" singer loves taking her boys with her on her travels…even all the way to Japan!
Mean Muggin'
"Daddy-Sasha time!" Piqué captioned this adorable selfie in December 2015.
Halloween Mice
In October 2015, the family dressed up as the iconic Italian mouse character Topo Gigio for Halloween.
Little Angels
Lovey, lovey.
Daddy Time
Milan and Sasha brought their dad good luck during a Spanish league football match.
Guy Time
The retired soccer star snuggled up to his two boys in May 2015 and there is almost too much cuteness in this photo to handle.
Farm Fun
The family members enjoyed a day of fun at the farm in 2014.
Trio Travel
Shakira and her now-ex took their son Milan on a trip in 2014 before they expanded their family.
Kiss Kiss
The Colombian singer shared a sweet smooch with her oldest son before getting ready for baby number two.
Mother-Son Bonding
We can't get over this photo of Shakira and Milan. It's so stinking cute.
Dress Up Time
In 2013, Milan dressed up as a police man for Halloween and it was adorable.
Countryside Cuties
Summertime in the French countryside sounds wonderful don't you think? We have a feeling Shakira and her family loved every second they were there.
Father-Son Time
In July 2013, the athlete spent quality time with his first born.
Tickle Tickle
Milan has the giggles thanks to his dad's tickles.
Take Your Son to Work
When Shakira was a coach on The Voice, she made sure to bring her son along for the ride.
Baby Relaxing
Gerard looked totally at ease as he held his son back in April 2013.
Milan's Soccer Debut
Baby Milan looked so peaceful in this family photo at his first soccer game.
