Shakira says working with Rihanna on new single Can’t Remember To Forget You was a “utopia”.
The blonde beauty is teaming up with her Caribbean contemporary for the track – which will premiere on January 13 – and she was even willing to learn some new “dance moves”.
Speaking in the February issue of Glamour magazine, she said: “Working with her was utopia. She’s the sexiest woman on the planet.
“And at the end of the day, we’re both just basically Caribbean girls. The chemistry was so good and so real.
“She taught me dance moves. She was a sweet teacher.”
It was a nice change for Shakira, who has become used to working in a male-dominated industry through appearing on the judging panel of The Voice in the US with Adam Levine.
Despite the overabundance of male company and humour, she admitted she has had to learn how “to take certain jokes” rather than getting offended.
She added: “Dealing with boys at work and being the only girl can be challenging.
“I have my insecurities, but I’ve learned I have to be a good sport. I have to be able to take certain jokes and not take them personally. There are jokes made almost every second of the day.
“I had to develop a tough hide. You know, the music industry is dominated by guys. I work with men 98 percent of the time producers, arrangers, musicians, engineers.”
Meanwhile, the star – who gave birth to her and Gerard Piqué’s first child a year ago – insisted she has always been working hard for her success.
She explained: “Success happened little by little for me. I tasted the flavor of fame in small doses: I started at 10 years old when I won a music contest; I was performing at birthday parties, company meetings.
“I met with a record executive when I was 13 and sang Material Girl to a cassette-tape boom box. I’ve shaken hands at every radio station, from Honduras to Ryan Seacrest’s.
“One day [I realised I was famous] enough. But here’s the thing: I’m still hungry. But I’m not hungry for fame – just the need to prove to myself that I can still do this.”
