The Princess Of Pop: Little Known Facts About Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani rose to prominence as the frontwoman of ska band No Doubt. Since, she's made a name for herself as a solo artist and judge on The Voice, where she met her current beau, Blake Shelton. Alongside her music career, Gwen has become a fashion icon, sporting everything from punk-style patterns to glitzy gowns and she even started her line, L.A.M.B. You may be surprised to hear that the princess of pop wasn't initially pegged as a lead singer, or that she almost starred in the smash hit Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Read on for more amazing facts about the multitalented star.
Her First Marriage Lasted 20 Years
Nearly a decade after forming, Gwen Stefani's band, No Doubt, gained widespread popularity in the mid-'90s. It was at that time that the band toured with Bush, headed by Gavin Rossdale.
The two lead singers fell in love and seven years later, got married. After nearly two decades together, the couple split. Though rumors spread that the reason was that Gavin had an affair with the nanny, neither has confirmed it's true. The couple has announced that they are still strong partners in parenting.
Gwen And Blake Shelton Bonded Over Their Divorces
We can only imagine the difficulty of ending a marriage while in the spotlight, but the silver lining is that Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton were able to bond over the struggle. Considering both of them and their former spouses are lead singers, it was a remarkable coincidence that they were going through the same thing at the same time.
Blake commented on their similarities, telling Billboard, "Gwen saved my life. Who else on Earth could understand going through a high-profile divorce from another musician?"
She Wanted To Get An Annulment Before Marrying Blake Shelton
After years of speaking highly of one another and looking happier than ever, questions began to float around about whether or not Blake and Gwen would ever get married. In 2019, People reported that though they were eager to tie the knot, there was one thing they had to do first.
Since Gwen is Roman Catholic, she needed to get an annulment from Gavin Rossdale before she could remarry in a church. According to Taste of Country, the coronavirus pandemic changed Gwen's mind and the two were married on July 3, 2021.
Many Of Her Songs Are About Her Exes
When asked about her divorce, Gwen typically keeps the details to herself and trusted loved ones. What she did tell Cosmopolitan is, "All you have to do is listen to every single song I've ever written, and it's all there."
The gifted songwriter is known for wearing her heart on her sleeve when it comes to her music. Gavin aside, it's become widely known that hits like "Don't Speak" and "Cool" were written about her ex-boyfriend and bandmate, Tony Kanal.
"Hollaback Girl" Was For Courtney Love
Exes aren't the only source of inspiration for Gwen. Reportedly, Gwen wrote the 2004 hit "Hollaback Girl" in retaliation to Courtney Love's rude remark about the singer. In an interview with Seventeen, the Hole frontwoman said Gwen wasn't a rockstar, but rather a "cheerleader."
Gwen shot back with a fiery song that includes lyrics like, "I ain't no hollaback girl" and "people hear you talking like that, getting everybody fired up." Best of all, the song became Gwen's first solo hit to reach number one.
She Replaced Christina Aguilera On The Voice
Though many fans recognize Gwen Stefani as one of the judges on The Voice, not everyone has made the connection that it was Christina Aguilera who she replaced. The producers brought Gwen on in the seventh season, and she had some large shoes to fill.
Though comparing the two singers is like equating apples to oranges, there's "no doubt" that both stars have impeccable talent. It's a good thing that they picked Gwen because it was on the show that she met her current beau, Blake Shelton.
She Was Featured On A Prince Song
After becoming a star with the band No Doubt, Gwen Stefani had the opportunity to work with one of the greats: Prince. The pair sang his song "So Far, So Pleased" together on his 1999 album, Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic.
Their voices complement each other's so well that it wasn't the last time they collaborated. Two years later, Prince provided backing vocals for the No Doubt song "Waiting Room." Though his vocals aren't at the forefront, his distinguishable voice is impossible to miss.
She Launched A Fashion Line In 2004
In Gwen Stefani's earlier days, she made many of the eclectic clothes that she wore on stage with No Doubt. As she evolved as an artist, she collaborated with stylist Andrea Lieberman and discovered a taste for haute couture.
In 2004, Gwen came out with her fashion line, L.A.M.B., which incorporates Guatemalan, Jamaican, and Japanese styles, among others. Gwen has developed various accessories, such as perfumes, undergarments, phone charms, dolls, and eyewear. She has also released an affordable line of clothing and eyewear.
A Famous Comedian Bought The Couple's Former Mansion
The $4 million divorce settlement consisted of separating the life that Gwen and Gavin had built together for almost 20 years. Neither of them stayed in the mansion they had purchased together, but rather sold the Beverly Hills home for $21.65 million!
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco bought the 11,845-square-foot home, which features a tennis court, pool, and a playground. The contemporary house also has a theater room, gym, guesthouse, and a whopping seven bedrooms with ten bathrooms.
She Created A Children's Animated Series
One of the lesser-known projects that Gwen has embarked on over the years is creating a children's animated series. The show, called Kuu Kuu Harajuku, is based on Gwen and the four Harajuku Girls from her 2004 album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
A decade after its initial conception, Gwen announced that the series was officially in production. Since, multiple seasons have aired in Malaysia, Canada, Australia, and the US. The show follows a band, headed by a teenage version of Gwen, as they fight evil while pursuing their music career.
Her First Wedding Dress Was Pink At The Bottom
Considering Gwen's unique style and bold personality, it should come as no surprise that she put her own spin on her wedding dresses. When she married Gavin in 2002, she wore a gown that was white at the top and gradually faded into a vibrant pink toward the bottom.
The custom dress was hand-painted by designer John Galliano. Fashion designer Christian Siriano later created a similar dress that Gwen wore while promoting her fourth studio album.
She Almost Starred In Mr. And Mrs. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a smash not just because it's a great flick, but because it marks the beginning of the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie-Jennifer Aniston drama that tabloids couldn't stop talking about for years to come.
In an alternate universe, all of that drama never happened because the lead role went to Gwen Stefani! ET Canada confirmed that the part of Mrs. Smith was between Angelina Jolie and Gwen Stefani, and, as we all know, the producers went with the former.
She Used To Wear A Bindi In Honor Of Her Ex's Culture
In the seven years that Gwen spent dating her bandmate Tony Kanal, she got to know his family and their culture well. After attending several family gatherings, she started wearing a bindi in honor of his Indian heritage.
The forehead accessory appears in some of their music videos and she often sported one while attending events throughout the '90s. Some accused Gwen of cultural appropriation, especially after it became a part of her signature look.
Her Band Started Back In The '80s
Though No Doubt didn't rise to fame until the '90s, the band formed in 1986. It was actually Gwen's brother, Eric Stefani, who had the idea while the siblings were working at Dairy Queen alongside former bandmate John Spence.
Initially, John was the lead singer, and Gwen was only on backing vocals. Sadly, he took his own life in 1987. Gwen stepped up at the lead vocalist, and several other members joined in the years to come. Eric left the band before they made it big to pursue a career in animation.
No Doubt Nearly Split After Tony And Gwen's Breakup
Being that Gwen was the only female in the band, the members agreed that no one would date her. That rule was quickly broken when she fell hard for bassist Tony Kanal. The couple spent seven years together, and their split nearly broke up the band.
Fortunately, they made it through and toured together for decades to come. Their shaky journey adds significance to the song "Cool," which was about their friendship after the tough breakup. The music video even features Tony's now-wife, Erin Lokitz.
She's Named After A Novel And A Song
Gwen Stefani is a true artist through and through, so it makes sense that she was named after a work of literature and music. Her first name comes from a character in the best-selling novel Airport by Arthur Hailey.
Her middle name, Renée, comes from the song "Walk Away Renée." Though The Left Banke performed the original song in 1966, it was the 1968 version by The Four Tops that inspired her parents to choose the name.
Gwen And Blake Tied The Knot Over The Fourth Of July Weekend
Stefani's fans were thrilled to see an announcement after the Fourth of July weekend, 2021. Gwen posted a series of wedding photos along with the caption, "July 3rd 2021 dreams do come true !!!". She and Blake Shelton had finally tied the knot.
They were married at Shelton's ranch in Oklahoma. In this photo, Blake is driving Gwen off in a golf cart while she shows off her bouquet of white roses. They also had a five-tier cake topped with a statue of a similar bride and groom sharing a dance.
She's Considered A "Pop Princess"
Over the years, Gwen has taken on various genres of music, from ska to R&B. However, her work as a solo artist is generally placed into the category of pop, earning her the title of "Pop Princess" by some critics.
Her impressive vocal range underscores her powerful voice, earning her several accolades including one Grammy for her solo work and two as a member of the band No Doubt. In 2012, VH1 gave Gwen 13th place on their list of "100 Greatest Women in Music."
She Has A Learning Disorder
It may be surprising to hear that Gwen has dyslexia. The learning disorder played a role in her passion for music, as it was a way to express herself. The successful role model encourages others with dyslexia to still follow their dreams.
Gwen has a special place in her heart for children, and donated $1 million to Save the Children's Japan Earthquake–Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund. She also auctioned off some of her clothing so that proceeds could go to the relief effort.
She's A Natural Brunette
Part of Gwen's trademark look is her platinum blonde hair, but the singer, who has Italian heritage, is naturally a brunette. She had her stylist die her hair a shade similar to its natural color for the "Cool" music video to help distinguish between her present and her younger self.
Reportedly, Gwen has dyed her hair since the ninth grade. With so much treatment, it's amazing her hair is so healthy-looking. She told Vogue, "I really do take care of my hair, even more than my face. Because you have to if you're a blonde."
She Gives Her Skin A Break From Makeup At Night
From the start of her fame, Gwen hasn't shied away from being herself. Though she typically wears a face full of makeup, she isn't afraid to show her bare face to the world on social media every now and again.
Her makeup-less face only proves how little she's aged over the decades. She told Elle that an important part of her skincare routine is removing all of her makeup at night to let her skin breathe.
