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Gwen Stefani: The Hollaback Girl And The Comeback Queen

By Jessica Dafoe
Published on: 15:38 PST, Aug 25, 2016

Gwen Stefani has experienced a bit of a whirlwind of two decades. Although it all seems as though the star’s life has been glitz and glamour, there have been ups and downs and challenges, just like what anyone comes to face in life. The former front-woman to the massively popular band No Doubt and fashion designer, as well as mother of three, has been on a bit of a roller coaster over the years with her last year involving the biggest shakeup of all. The 46-year-old divorced her husband of 13 years, Gavin Rossdale of the band Bush, and became a co-judge on The Voice, where she met and fell in love with fellow divorcee and judge, Blake Shelton. The beauty also put out her first solo album in 10 years and has embarked on a successful tour while continuing her romance with Shelton.

It was with TragicKingdom, No Doubt’s first hit album, that the band was put on the radar of music lovers across North America and worldwide back in 1994. The energetic front-woman impressed with her vocals and unique sense of fashion. The band went on to hit it big with Rock Steady, but in 2004, Stefani started to branch out and demonstrate she had what it took to make it as a solo artist. The star collaborated for the hit single “Let Me Blow Your Mind,” with rapper Eve. It was with this track that Gwen found her path to solo success. However, Stefani never quit including a variety of artists on her albums for an eclectic and appealing mix of music. Love Angel Music Baby included a multitude of collabs, as the Vancouver Sun reminds.

“Clubby, devoted to fashion and boasting a plethora of producers and co-writers — Dr. Dre, the Neptunes, Linda Perry, Dallaas Austin, André 3000, Nellee Hooper, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and even Tony Kanal turned up — it exploded on the back of the sleek Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single Hollaback Girl.”

Stefani went on to release Sweet Escape in 2006 which was also met with a strong response and gave the busy mother the desire to take time to be with her family after her hard work paid off with massive success. In 2012 Gwen joined forces with No Doubt once more to bring a reunion tour to fans, which has been described as forgettable, as well as an album Push and Shove that received little love. This all led to Gwen finding herself on the show that brought her the new love of her life. The star has admitted in numerous interviews that it was meeting Blake Shelton while enduring her divorce that allowed her to heal. The two experienced similar divorce turmoil and gave support throughout. Through their challenges and heartbreak, Stefani and Shelton were brought together to find love once more.

The Vancouver Sun shares a concise synopsis of what the year has resulted in for Stefani.

“Stefani and her Voice co-star and country singer Blake Shelton announced on Nov. 4 they were dating. The news put the two singers in the gossip rags and buzz columns and Stefani was back in the news when her third studio album This Is What the Truth Feels Like arrived on March 18, 2016. While the lead single Used to Love You heralded a more mature, less dance-oriented “breakup album.” Commercially, the album became her first No. 1 in the Billboard 200.”

Gwen shared that her latest album was truly based on her love lost with Gavin Rossdale, as heard in her song “Used to Love You,” and love found with Blake Shelton, as heard in her song “Make Me Love You.” Gwen and Blake are even said to be planning their wedding, and it is rumored to possibly be a Christmas occasion, as Hollywood Life shares.

It’s truly been a road filled with accomplishments, challenges, heartbreak, and true love, and Stefani has made her mark as an enduring entertainer and artist in the music industry.

[Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS]

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