Shakira Awarded Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Colombian singer Shakira was awarded her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday.

The Grammy-winning singer has become the first Colombian artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, joining Latin pop stars Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin.

"This is incredible," said the singer. "I would like to thank all of you."

Shakira was surrounded by hundreds of screaming fans as she unveiled her star in front of the W Hollywood Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard.

The singer dedicated her star to her fans, who "have listened, supported and understood my music all these years," and to the Latin community in the U.S. whom she hailed as "a community that works and dreams, every day, to make this a better country."

The 34-year-old recalled walking along the boulevard with her mother when she was seven. "Shaki, one day you'll have your own star here," her mother told her.

"If someone had heard that conversation, they would have thought she was insane," said Shakira.

Shakira's ceremony comes on the eve of her Las Vegas honour as the Latin Grammy person of the year.

Shakira was only 14 when she released her first album, Magia. Her popularity quickly grew in Latin America and Spain with the 1995 release of Pies Descalzos and the 1998 release of Donde Estan los Ladrones?

The singer sold more than 13 million copies worldwide in 2001 when she released her first English language album Laundry Service, which included the hit single Whenever, Whereever.

She has also raised millions of dollars to fight poverty and provide education for the poor through her Pies Descalzos Foundation.

Shakira's star was the 2,454th star dedicated along Hollywood's avenue of dreams. Her latest album, Sale el Sol, is nominated at the upcoming 2011 Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on November 10.