Gwen Renée Stefani (born October 3, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress.
She is best known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the band No Doubt.
When No Doubt went on hiatus in 2003, Stefani embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., in 2004. The album's last single, "Hollaback Girl", reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and also became the first American digital download to sell one million copies.
She has won numerous awards, including three Grammys, and also has her own fashion lines (L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers). In 2015, her Harajuku Lovers brand was spun off into an animated show called Kuu Kuu Harajuku.
Solo Discography
- Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004)
- The Sweet Escape (2006)
- This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016)
- You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017)
Tropes in her work:
- Alice Allusion: The video for "What You Waiting For?" features a bunny, a watch, a queen with flamingos, a strange figure smoking a water pipe, among other things.
- Casting Gag: The song "Cool" is about Gwen and Tony Kanal being amicable about their break up and respective current relationships. For the video, the current girlfriend of Gwen's ex is played by Tony Kanal's then girlfriend and now wife Erin Lokitz.
- Finger on Lips: Gwen censors herself this way a number of times in the "Hollaback Girl" music video.
- "How I Wrote This Article" Article: Her hit "What You Waiting For?" is about Gwen's writer's block during the making of her debut solo album, Love Angel Music Baby, and addressed to herself.
- Iconic Outfit: Gwen's platinum blonde swirl, red lips, and boy tank top. Her Unlimited Wardrobe would show up more prominently in her solo career. Comes full circle with her 2021 single "Let Me Reintroduce Myself". The video, which premiered New Year's Day 2021, features Gwen homaging her looks from over 30 years in the business.
- Jenny's Number: In a Wired Autocomplete Interview, one of the questions searched is "What is Gwen Stefani's phone number?" Her response: "Please guys, just text me. I don't feel like I have any friends. 8675-309."
- Luxury Prison Suite: The video for "The Sweet Escape" takes place inside a very posh prison.
- Pet Gets the Keys: The "Sweet Escape" video shows Gwen begging the tranquil lab holding the key to her Luxury Prison Suite to come closer and her cellmates eventually manage to coax it over with a large gold bone.
- Pirate Girl: The music video for "Rich Girl" features her & many other women as these.
