Shakira: I treat men with mercy

Shakira has joked she treats her male co-workers "with mercy".

The feisty 36-year-old is a coach on the US version of The Voice alongside Blake Shelton, Usher and Adam Levine.

Shakira isn't intimidated by the all-male panel, as she calls the shots on set.

"In general, I think I've treated the boys with mercy," Shakira laughed to the US edition of ELLE.

As well as conquering entertainment television, Shakira has blossomed in her private life.

The singer has been involved with Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué, 26, since 2011 and they have a son, Milan, together.

"[Gerard] has his own world and that's actually one of the healthiest things about the relationship. I know that he's the one person who is with me not because of any interest other than the love that unites us," Shakira explained. "There's nothing I can offer him beyond my womanhood – does that word exist in English?"

Shakira reflected on how her life has changed over the past few years. She says meeting Gerard has restored her faith in God.

"I think if you can prove the existence of God, it can only be proven through love. I even had lost my faith for a while. I was becoming an agnostic," she revealed. "And it was really hard, because I was always very religious, and for a few years, maybe because, it sounds so corny, I was not feeling the love like it was supposed to be, I started to think that there was no God. And suddenly I meet Gerard and the sun comes out."

The star says she can't put a label on motherhood. Every day spent with Milan is different, and she's sure this will continue as he grows.

"I'm still trying to figure it out. And I have a feeling I will try to do the same for the rest of my life. Some people put it like it's very idyllic, some people put it like it's a torturing experience, but it's not quite one thing or the other. It's like life; it comes with everything."