Shakira once again captured the attention of social media and the entertainment press after being spotted with Mexican actor Manuel García-Rulfo during a night out in Los Angeles. Photos of the two enjoying an evening at a well-known Cuban restaurant sparked a wave of speculation about a possible romance, although neither of them has confirmed or denied the rumors so far.
As the photos and videos continue to circulate online, the owner of the establishment where they met decided to reveal some details about what happened that night.
It all began when Shakira and Manuel García-Rulfo were photographed leaving the Sunset Tower Hotel in Beverly Hills early last week. Shortly afterward, videos began circulating showing the two of them dancing at the Cuban restaurant El Floridita in Los Angeles.
The images quickly went viral, and many users began speculating about the possibility of a romantic relationship between the Colombian singer and the actor.
However, neither of the two public figures has yet made any statements to clarify the nature of their relationship.
Shakira and Her Date with Manuel García-Rulfo: The Restaurant Owner Breaks His Silence
In light of the growing media attention, the owner of El Floridita shared his side of the story and said that Shakira’s visit took both the staff and the customers by surprise.
As she explained, at first they even doubted that it was really the artist.
“It was a huge surprise. When customers asked if it was her, I said I wasn’t sure. Then we went over to check, and yes, it really was Shakira,” he said in comments reported by various media outlets.
The businessman also pointed out the exact spot where the singer spent much of the night with Manuel García-Rulfo.
According to the owner’s account, the singer of “Hips Don’t Lie ” and “Soltera” arrived at the restaurant late in the evening, and her main intention was to enjoy the musical atmosphere.
He explained that the couple didn’t go there for dinner, but to dance and have a good time.
“They had a great time. They danced, enjoyed the music, and the DJ even played a few Shakira songs after the band finished their set,” he said.
The businessman said that the two of them spent several hours at the establishment and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere that characterizes the place.
Was there a romantic date?
Although the photos sparked numerous rumors about a possible romance, the restaurant staff themselves offered a different account of what happened.
According to reports, Shakira spent time with several people throughout the evening and even danced with other guests, so they refrained from speculating about the nature of her encounter with Manuel García-Rulfo.
So far, the singer and the actor have chosen to remain silent, which has further fueled speculation among their fans.
Interest in this match also grew because of the couple’s relationship status.
In the case of Manuel García-Rulfo, various reports indicate that the actor has been single since February of this year, after ending a relationship of approximately three years with country singer Audrey McGraw, the daughter of renowned American artists Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
For her part, Shakira has not publicly confirmed a new romantic relationship since she announced, in June 2022, the end of her relationship with former soccer player Gerard Piqué.
Since then, the singer has been buzzy on several occasions with various public figures; however, none of those rumors have been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the outing with Manuel García-Rulfo continues to be the talk of the town. What for some was simply a night of music and dancing among friends could, for others, mark the beginning of a new chapter. With no official statement from the two involved, the encounter remains a topic of conversation among the fans of both artists.