Blake Shelton Reflects on His First Meeting with Gwen Stefani: ‘She Was a Mother First and Foremost’

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are one of the music industry’s most beloved power couples, each with an impressive career of their own. Shelton has become a staple in country music with hits like “God Gave Me You,” “Ol’ Red,” and “Nobody But You,” while Stefani is a pop icon known for songs like “Hollaback Girl,” “Make Me Like You,” and “Underneath It All.”

Their mutual success led them to become judges on the popular singing competition, The Voice. Although the two have been happily married since 2021, Shelton recently reflected on the first time he met the love of his life. According to Today, Shelton shared an emotional story during Stefani’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on October 19th.

He fondly recalled their first meeting in 2014 during the 6th season of The Voice and expressed how refreshing her presence was to him. “She wasn’t like any other famous person that I had ever met before,” Shelton said, explaining how Stefani stood out to him not just for her talent, but for her down-to-earth nature. Despite her wealth and fame, Stefani chose to drive a minivan with car seats to work every day instead of a luxury car, something that deeply impressed Shelton.

He went on to describe Stefani’s dedication as a mother, recalling how she would often arrive at work with her three children, Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Gavin Rossdale. “She didn’t roll with security. She came in with a baby and two little boys, which at the time worked like security because nobody was going near—it was chaos!” Shelton said with a laugh.

He admired how her children were always her top priority, saying, “It was clear to me that she was a mother first and foremost over anything else in the world—that was her No. 1 job.” Shelton also spoke about Stefani’s “star quality,” a natural charisma that makes people take notice. “It’s that thing that she was just born with that makes you stop and go, ‘Wait.

Who is that? What’s her name? What does she do? Why do I love her already? What the hell?’” he shared, bashfully acknowledging how captivated he was by her from the start. As Shelton shared these heartfelt memories, Stefani was visibly moved, as were many in the audience. Shelton concluded his speech by congratulating his wife on her achievement and reaffirming his deep love for her, leaving everyone, including Stefani, misty-eyed.