When Michael Mejía’s dance video won him Shakira’s custom purple Lamborghini Urus last December, it seemed like the ultimate fan fantasy come true. The Colombian-American artist beat thousands of contestants in a promotion for the pop star’s hit song “Soltera” (Spanish for “single woman”) – a track Shakira wrote following her split from soccer star Gerard Piqué.
But just one week after receiving the keys to the $280,000 exotic SUV, Mejía made a startling announcement: he’s selling it. “Not only did she gift me a car, but she also gave me money to maintain it, $90,000!” Mejía explained during a recent appearance on Spanish-language program El Gordo y La Flaca. “However, that $90,000 was only enough to cover very little.”
The reality of exotic car ownership quickly shattered the initial euphoria. Insurance costs more than $2,000 monthly. The fuel-hungry Urus demands $70 fill-ups every two days. And looming federal taxes could reach $95,000 by year’s end. “So, with the money she gave me, the car is maintainable for a while, but it’s always quite expensive to keep it,” Mejía admitted.
The eye-catching SUV – wrapped in purple with a distinctive white and neon-green interior – hasn’t just attracted attention on social media. Potential buyers have emerged offering between $700,000 and $800,000, nearly triple the market value of a new Urus.
Some have even suggested Mejía could make more by selling the celebrity vehicle part by part, auctioning everything from the tires to the steering wheel. He’s also considering separate auction plans for a jacket reportedly belonging to Shakira that he found inside the car.
For Shakira, the giveaway represented more than publicity. “This car was a gift to myself as I began my single life, but I realized that what truly matters is human connection,” she stated when announcing the contest. “The material things — they don’t transform us.”
Ironically, the material gift may indeed transform Mejía’s life – just not how either initially imagined. With a reported offer approaching a million dollars, his windfall could exceed anything Shakira planned when selecting a contest winner.
“I think it’s anyone’s dream to have their million,” Mejía said with a smile. “One million and one dollar; I’ll be happy.”
While the Lamborghini’s days in Mejía’s garage appear numbered, he’s not leaving empty-handed. The artist is reportedly writing a book about his unexpected journey from contest winner to reluctant supercar owner – proving that sometimes, the most valuable prize isn’t the one with the highest sticker price.
