London, Oct 19 (Inditop.com) Colombian pop star Shakira used to dress like a man so that she could go to university.

The 32-year-old singer took a break from music and enrolled in a history course after releasing the 2006 album “Oral Fixation Vol 2” because she wanted to step out of the public spotlight for a while.

During her time at the University of California, Los Angeles, she stayed in disguise and changed her name to prevent people finding out her true identity, reported femalefirst.co.uk.

“I needed a break from me. The universe is so broad, I cannot be at the centre of it. So I decided to go to the university and study history for a summer course, just to kind of switch gears, taste the student life,” she said.

“I used to wear a cap and a big backpack, I looked like a boy. I didn’t get recognised,” she added.