Gwen Stefani Says Solo Material Was ‘Never Meant To Be Taken Seriously’ As She Gets Back With No Doubt

Gwen Stefani is probably a more common household name at this point than the band with which she became a star, ska-pop outfit No Doubt, but the singer says her solo work was never a really big focus and she always only considered it a temporary thing.

Of course, Gwen Stefani was always the very present face of the band, the singer and sole female, and her transition from group member to single headliner seemed to almost pass unnoticed. Soon she was collaborating with other big names and scoring massive hits alone, collaborating on fashion lines and making babies in the interim.

But as quickly as Gwen Stefani split with her ex-bandmates, it’s back on again, and interestingly, she seems to feel more at home in that format. In a recent interview, Stefani says that she never intended to go on so long all by her lonesome, and explains:

“It just feels so much more natural being back in this mode. The solo records allowed me to indulge my girly side but it was never meant to be taken seriously.”

Gwen continues:

“It was just like an art project that kept going longer than I expected. The group never ended – we always knew we’d come back to make this album.”

Stefani also has a relatable moment when she is asked about whether her husband and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale appreciates her work, and she bluntly replies as many of us might:

“Oh, he’s never been a fan of what we do … He’s more into dark, indie stuff. But I’m not saying he doesn’t think I’m amazing … Oh God, that’s going to be a headline, isn’t it? ‘Gavin thinks Gwen’s amazing!’”

Did you prefer Gwen Stefani with No Doubt, or was her solo stuff your favorite?