Gwen Stefani

Content

• Who is Gwen Stefani?
• Early life
• Career
• Personal life
• Movies/Series
• Albums
• Awards/Achievements
• Trivia

Who is Gwen Stefani?

Gwen Renée Stefani is a singer, songwriter, and actress. She was the co-founder and lead vocalist of the band No Doubt. They released their hit album, "Tragic Kingdom," in 1995. The group also had several hit singles including "Just a Girl," "Don't Speak," "Hey Baby," and "It's My Life."

While the band took a hiatus in 2004, Gwen Stefani branched out and began a solo pop career. She released her debut studio album called "Love.Angel.Music.Baby." The album yielded three uber-successful singles: "What You Waiting For?," "Rich Girl," and "Hollaback Girl."

Early life:

Gwen Renée Stefani was born on October 3, 1969, in Fullerton, California to Dennis Stefani and Patti Flynn. She was raised as a Roman Catholic and grew up in Anaheim, California.

Her parents named her Gwen after a character in the 1968 novel, "Airport." Her middle name comes from The Four Tops' 1968 version of "Walk Away Renée."

Stefani's parents enjoyed folk music and exposed her to artists like Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris. Stefani has two younger siblings and an older brother.

Career:

In 1968, Stefani and her brother, Eric, co-founded the band 'No Doubt.' She originally sang backup vocals before moving to lead singer after their lead singer committed suicide.

In 1995, the group released their third album, "Tragic Kingdom." This album proved to be their ticket to fame when it topped the charts. The album also included the hit singles "Just a Girl," "Spiderwebs," and "Don’t Speak."

While the band’s popularity grew, many people began taking note of Stefani's style. She became known for her fire-engine red lips and platinum blonde hair. Stefani also collaborated on songs with rapper Eve, and techno artist Moby.

The band, No Doubt, then released "Return of Saturn"' in 2000, and "Rock Steady" in 2001. "Rock Steady" featured the songs "Hey Baby," and "Underneath It All," which won Grammy Awards.

In 2004, Stefani released her first solo album, "Love.Angel.Music.Baby" while No Doubt was taking a hiatus. She mixed hip-hop attitude with 1980s-style dance-pop music to create her signature sound.

Her solo album had several hit singles, including "Rich Girl," "Hollaback Girl," and "What You Waiting For?" which launched the album to international success.

After the album’s release, Stefani went on to make her feature-film debut in "The Aviator" (2004). Since then she has made occasional television guest appearances as herself.

Gwen Stefani has become a trendsetter and designed a clothing line.

Personal life:

Stefani began dating Tony Kanal after she joined No Doubt. However, the relationship failed and nearly resulted in the band splitting up. Kanal ended the relationship.

Then in 1995, Stefani met Gavin Rossdale. The pair began dating and married on September 14, 2002. The first part of the wedding was held in St Paul's, Covent Garden, London, and the second part of the wedding was held in Los Angeles two weeks later.

Together they have three sons, Kingston James McGregor Rossdale, Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale, and Apollo Bowie Flynn Rossdale. Stefani filed for divorce on August 3, 2015, citing "irreconcilable differences." The divorce was finalized on April 8, 2016.

In November 2015, while her divorce was still being processed, Gwen Stefani began dating country music artist Blake Shelton.

Movies/Series:

• Trolls DJ Suki (2016)
• The Aviator Jean Harlow (2004)
• Zoolander Gwen Stefani (2001)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Soundtrack (2014)

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)

Awards/Achievements:

• Teen Choice Award Music: Choice Breakout Artist - Female
• Ultimate Choice Award
• Teen Choice Award for Choice Collaboration for the song "Rich Girl."
• One Grammy Award
• Four MTV Video Music Awards
• One American Music Award
• One Brit Award
• Two Billboard Music Awards
• With No Doubt, she has won two Grammy Awards

“It was such a turning point to find that I had a talent and I had something to contribute, somewhere.” ~ Gwen Stefani

Trivia:

• Was on her High School swim team
• Lead singer for the band No Doubt
• Met ex-husband Gavin Rossdale (Bush) in 1996 at a concert she was playing with her band, No Doubt
• Inspired by such musicals as "The Sound of Music" (1965), and "Annie" (1982)
• Has one sister, Jill, and two brothers, Eric Stefani, and Todd Stefani
• Eric Stefani, her brother, was the keyboardist for No Doubt
• Attended Cal State Fullerton
• She has a fashion label named L.A.M.B.