Shakira Recreates Her Iconic 1997 Meme, Tapping Into MySpace Revival

Nearly three decades after a photograph of a young Shakira sitting at a switched-off computer in a Colombian newsroom became one of the internet’s most enduring memes, the singer has recreated the image with a knowing wink.

The Colombian superstar shared the updated version on Instagram with the caption, “I have a feeling I’ve seen this before,” accompanied by the hashtag #letscreatetogether.

The post has quickly gone viral, with fans celebrating her willingness to lean into a joke that has long outlived the original context.

From 1997 to 2025

The original photograph was taken in 1997 at the newsroom of Colombian newspaper El Heraldo in Shakira’s hometown of Barranquilla.

At the time, she had already achieved success with Pies Descalzos but was still years away from becoming a global pop phenomenon.

During the interview, she posed at a desktop computer.

How the Meme Began

Years later, internet users noticed the monitor appeared to be off, turning the image into a widely shared meme across Latin America and beyond.

It became a shorthand for jokes about office drudgery, outdated technology, and the early days of internet culture.

The Recreated Image

In the recreation, Shakira strikes a nearly identical pose, but the old desktop has been replaced by contemporary office equipment — a printer sits on the desk where the monitor once stood.

The resemblance to her younger self drew immediate praise from social media users, many of whom remarked on how little the singer has changed visually.

I have a feeling I’ve seen this before.

Shakira’s post came with the above caption, and fans quickly connected the dots.

The callback not only amused longtime followers but also introduced the meme to a new generation of listeners who may have encountered the image without knowing its origin.

MySpace’s Planned Revival

The timing of the recreation coincides with renewed public interest in MySpace, following the release of a documentary that explores the platform’s legacy and reveals plans for a revival.

Though the 1997 photograph predates MySpace (which was founded in 2003), the image is frequently paired with jokes about customizing a MySpace profile and arranging the platform’s “Top 8” friends list — a staple of mid-2000s internet nostalgia.

The documentary, directed by Tommy Avallone, features current owners Chris and Tim Vanderhook, who bought the company in 2011.

“We are stewards of the MySpace brand at this point, and we are going to relaunch MySpace,” Avallone says in the film, per PEOPLE.

The Vanderhook Brothers’ Vision

The Vanderhook brothers had previously planned to revive MySpace as a music-focused site, but the platform was eventually left behind by the rise of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social networks.

Shakira’s meme recreation arrives during a busy period in her career.

She remains active with her LAS MUJERES YA NO LLORAN WORLD TOUR, continuing to perform worldwide while maintaining a strong online presence.

By revisiting one of the internet’s favorite images of her, Shakira has once again demonstrated an awareness of the digital culture that continues to celebrate both her music and her enduring status as a global pop icon.

Sources

• Entertainment Weekly