Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani

Gwen Renée Stefani Shelton was born on October 3, 1969, in Fullerton, California, and raised Catholic in nearby Anaheim. She rose to international prominence as the lead vocalist of the ska-pop band No Doubt, which formed in 1986 when her brother Eric invited her to provide vocals. The band achieved massive commercial success with their 1995 album Tragic Kingdom, which sold over 16 million copies worldwide and spawned hit singles including "Don't Speak," "Just a Girl," and "Spiderwebs." During No Doubt's hiatus, Stefani launched a solo pop career in 2004 with her debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby., which drew inspiration from 1980s pop music and became a critical and commercial triumph. The album's third single, "Hollaback Girl," became the first US music download to sell over one million copies and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Stefani's solo career flourished throughout the 2000s with subsequent albums The Sweet Escape (2006) and This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016), the latter becoming her first solo album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Her musical style evolved to incorporate electronic, dance, reggae, and dancehall influences while maintaining her distinctive vocal prowess and pop sensibilities. Beyond music, Stefani established herself as a fashion designer, launching the L.A.M.B. clothing line in 2004 and the Harajuku Lovers collection in 2005, both drawing inspiration from Japanese culture, Guatemalan textiles, and other global influences. She has also worked extensively as a coach on the NBC television show The Voice, achieving her first coaching victory in Season 19.

Throughout her career, Stefani has earned three Grammy Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2023. She has collaborated with numerous artists including Tony Kanal, Eve, Pharrell Williams, and her husband Blake Shelton, whom she married in 2021. Her most recent album, Bouquet, was released in November 2024. Stefani's influence on pop music and fashion culture remains significant, with her work inspiring countless contemporary artists and her iconic visual style—including platinum blonde hair, bold makeup, and exposed midriff—becoming instantly recognizable across generations.