Gwen Stefani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gwen Stefani
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Stefani in 2016
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Gwen Renée Stefani
October 3, 1969 Fullerton, California, U.S.
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| Education | California State University, Fullerton |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1986–present |
| Organization | L.A.M.B. |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Partner(s) | Tony Kanal (1987–1994) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Eric Stefani (brother) |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | |
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Gwen Renée Stefani (born October 3, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, and fashion designer. She first became famous as the lead singer of the band No Doubt. The band had many hit songs, including "Just a Girl", "Spiderwebs", and "Don't Speak".
When No Doubt took a break, Stefani started a solo career in 2004. Her first album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., was a huge success. It had hit singles like "What You Waiting For?", "Rich Girl", and "Hollaback Girl". "Hollaback Girl" was the first song in the U.S. to sell one million digital copies.
Stefani has released several solo albums and has won many awards, including three Grammy Awards. In 2003, she launched her own clothing line called L.A.M.B.. She also created another line inspired by Japanese fashion called Harajuku Lovers. VH1 named her one of the "100 Greatest Women in Music" in 2012. In 2023, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Contents
Early Life
Gwen Renée Stefani was born in Fullerton, California. She grew up in the nearby city of Anaheim. Her father, Dennis, is Italian American, and her mother, Patti, is Irish-American. Her parents loved folk music and introduced her to artists like Bob Dylan.
Gwen has an older brother, Eric, who was the keyboardist for No Doubt. He left the band to work as an animator on the TV show The Simpsons. She also has a younger brother, Todd, and a younger sister, Jill. After high school, she attended college but left to focus on her music career with No Doubt.
Music Career
1986–2004: No Doubt
In 1986, Gwen's brother Eric asked her to be a singer for his ska band, No Doubt. The band signed with Interscope Records in 1991. Their first album was not very successful because grunge music was more popular at the time.
The band's third album, Tragic Kingdom (1995), became a massive hit. It took over three years to make. The album included the song "Don't Speak", which was number one on the radio charts in 1997. The album sold more than 16 million copies worldwide.
No Doubt released more albums, including Return of Saturn (2000) and Rock Steady (2001). The band won two Grammy Awards for songs from Rock Steady. During this time, Stefani also worked with other artists. She sang on the song "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with the rapper Eve, and they won a Grammy for it.
2004–2006: Solo Career Begins
Stefani released her first solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., in 2004. The album was inspired by 1980s pop music. It was a big success and had many hit singles.
The first single was "What You Waiting For?". The second single, "Rich Girl", was a duet with rapper Eve. The third single, "Hollaback Girl", became her first number-one hit in the U.S. It was the first song to sell over a million digital downloads in the country. Other popular songs from the album included "Cool" and "Luxurious".
2006–2013: The Sweet Escape and Return to No Doubt
In 2006, Stefani released her second solo album, The Sweet Escape. The album had more electronic and dance music. The first single, "Wind It Up", was a top 10 hit in the U.S. and the U.K. The album's title track, "The Sweet Escape", was also very successful around the world.
After her solo tour, Stefani reunited with No Doubt. The band went on tour in 2009. In 2012, they released a new album called Push and Shove. The album's first single was "Settle Down".
2014–2017: This Is What the Truth Feels Like
In 2014, Stefani became a coach on the TV show The Voice. She also started working on new solo music. Her third solo album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, was released in 2016. It was her first solo album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S.
The album's songs were about events in her personal life, including her breakup with her ex-husband. The first single was "Used to Love You". In 2017, she released a Christmas album called You Make It Feel Like Christmas. The title track was a duet with Blake Shelton.
2018–Present: Las Vegas Show and New Music
From 2018 to 2021, Stefani had her own concert show in Las Vegas called Just a Girl: Las Vegas. She has continued to appear as a coach on The Voice for several seasons. She won her first season as a coach in 2020 with singer Carter Rubin.
Stefani has released several songs with her husband, Blake Shelton, including "Nobody but You" and "Happy Anywhere". In 2024, she released her fifth studio album, Bouquet. In April 2024, she reunited with No Doubt to perform at the Coachella festival.
Other Projects
Fashion and Business
Stefani has always been known for her unique style. In 2004, she launched her own fashion line called L.A.M.B.. The brand is inspired by styles from different cultures, like Japanese and Jamaican fashion. In 2005, she created a more affordable line called Harajuku Lovers. She has also released perfumes, dolls, and eyewear. In 2022, she launched a makeup brand called GXVE Beauty.
Acting and Television
Stefani has also done some acting. In 2004, she appeared in the movie The Aviator as the actress Jean Harlow. She also voiced the character DJ Suki in the animated movie Trolls (2016). She helped create an animated TV series called Kuu Kuu Harajuku, which is about her and her Harajuku Girls in a band.
Personal Life
While in No Doubt, Stefani dated her bandmate Tony Kanal. Their breakup inspired many of the songs on the album Tragic Kingdom, including "Don't Speak". They are now good friends, and she wrote the song "Cool" about their friendship.
In 1995, Stefani met Gavin Rossdale, the lead singer of the band Bush. They got married in 2002 and have three sons together. The couple divorced in 2016.
In 2015, Stefani began dating country singer Blake Shelton, who was also a coach on The Voice. They announced their engagement in 2020 and got married in July 2021 at Shelton's ranch in Oklahoma.
Charity Work
Stefani supports many charities. After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, she donated $1 million to Save the Children. She also auctioned off some of her clothes and hosted a tea party to raise more money for the cause. She has also supported the LGBTQ community and other charitable organizations.
Discography
Solo Albums
- Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004)
- The Sweet Escape (2006)
- This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016)
- You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017)
- Bouquet (2024)
No Doubt Albums
- No Doubt (1992)
- The Beacon Street Collection (1995)
- Tragic Kingdom (1995)
- Return of Saturn (2000)
- Rock Steady (2001)
- Push and Shove (2012)
Tours
- Harajuku Lovers Tour (2005)
- The Sweet Escape Tour (2007)
- This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour (2016)
- Gwen Stefani – Just a Girl (Residency show, 2018–2021)
Images for kids
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Gwen Stefani's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
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Barack Obama and Stefani in 2016
See also
In Spanish: Gwen Stefani para niños
