Madrid, Spain - Shakira has failed in her appeal against a criminal trial for tax evasion, a Spanish court said on Thursday. The decision comes ahead of the debut of the Columbian singer's new NBC dance challenge show.

Shakira sought to prevent a judge from opening a trial in July for failing to pay a total of $15.5 million in taxes due to Spain between 2012 and 2014.

The singer - famous for hits like Hips Don't Lie and Waka Waka - has denied the charges.

At issue is where Shakira was liable to pay taxes during those years.

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The public prosecutor's office assumes that the artist lived in Spain for more than half of the year in each of the three years, namely for more than 183 days. This would have meant that she would have had to pay tax on her worldwide income to Spain.

However, Shakira has repeatedly stressed that she did not have her tax residence in Spain, but in the Bahamas during the years 2012 to 2014, and only travelled to Spain from time to time.

Shakira is dating Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique and has two children with the Barcelona player. According to the singer, she has only officially lived in Spain since 2015.

The timing of the court's decision is less than ideal, as Shakira has been making the rounds on American talk shows this week ahead of a new TV hosting gig.

She will helm the NBC show Dancing With Myself, which premieres on May 31 at 10 PM ET.

The show is inspired by viral dances on social media and will challenge contestants to "high-energy dance challenges," according to the network, in hopes of winning a cash prize.

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It will also be hosted by Nick Jonas and show creator Liza Koshy.

Whether filming may overlap with her impending Spanish trial remains to be seen.