Shakira, 49, is facing fresh romance speculation after she was photographed leaving Los Angeles’ Sunset Tower Hotel with Mexican actor Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, 45, best known for Netflix’s hit series "The Lincoln Lawyer." The images circulated this week while she was on a short break from her world tour to perform at the World Cup opening event.
Her World Cup appearance also became a separate talking point, after she went onstage with reddish hair and sunglasses that covered her face. That led some social media users to claim the organizers had used a body double, but the woman spotted with Garcia-Rulfo was clearly Shakira herself.
The timing drew attention because only days earlier, Shakira told People magazine that she is not looking for a relationship right now. "I’m just busy raising my kids. I don’t see that happening right now. Maybe when they’re older," she said, adding that the years since her highly public split from Gerard Pique had taught her how strong and resilient she is.
For now, the nature of her connection with Garcia-Rulfo remains unknown. He reportedly ended a relationship earlier this year with Audrey McGraw, the daughter of country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Shakira was also linked last year to actor Lucien Laviscount of "Emily in Paris," a pairing her friends reportedly did not like. The article ends by joking that Garcia-Rulfo should not expect Shakira to cover a first date with the money she made in Spain’s tax dispute.
