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Shakira shocker: Singer stops selling necklace that 'bears an unintentional resemblance to neo-Nazi imagery'

A necklace Shakira was selling to fans during her El Dorado tour turned out to be less of a “Whenever, Wherever” accessory and more of a “Never, ever” one.

Shakira, performing at the O2 Arena on June 11, is under fire for a Nazi-like piece of tour merchandise. (Photo: Samir Hussein/Redferns)
Shakira, performing at the O2 Arena on June 11, is under fire for a Nazi-like piece of tour merchandise. (Photo: Samir Hussein/Redferns)

After a fan posted about it on Twitter, the German outlet Bento reported that the tour merchandise looked like a Black Sun pattern used by Nazis and adopted by neo-Nazis. There is a long history of the symbol, which was featured at the Wewelsburg Castle in Germany during the Nazi era, and the design conceals three crossed swastikas. It is illegal to print or display this symbol in Germany today.

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(Image: Twitter)

Shakira herself hasn’t spoken out about the necklace — which also has her name on it as well as the name of the tour. Live Nation, however, has mentioned it. While the party line is that it was “based on Pre-Columbian imagery,” the fan outcry made the concert promoter see the “unintentional resemblance to Neo-Nazi imagery,” so it has “pulled the item,” which retailed for $9.95, “from the tour collection.”

Needless to say, the internet is abuzz over the drama.

Plenty of fans have Shak’s back, pointing out that she’s probably not designing the merchandise herself. Others have linked it to other cultures.

Shakira kicked off her world tour in Germany on June 3, and she’ll be at it until November. The U.S. leg starts in August.

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