Gwen Stefani

"I really don't care what people say. It's not like it discourage me from doing something I want to do".

This has definitely been Gwen Stefani's mantra during her career. She moves through the different aspects of her career as singer, actress, fashion designer and icon, and, her main role, wife and mother, as effortlessly as a hot knife slices through butter. She walks to the beat of her own drummer and she plays the drum.

Beginnings

Gwen Renee Stefani was born in Fullerton, California on October 3, 1969 to parents, Dennis Stefani and Patti Flynn. She is one of four children, two girls, two boys. It was with her brother, Eric, that she began fronting for the group No Doubt.

Stefani had no ideas of being part of any music group until she was 17. It was then that her brother, Eric, introduced her to new wave and ska music. When he asked her if she wanted to join the group he was forming with his friend, John Spence, she jumped at the chance to share lead vocals with Spence. In 1987 Spence committed suicide. Stefani then stepped up at the only lead singer. According to members of the band, Stefani was the encouragement they needed to press forward with gigs and recordings.

Successful, No Doubt

In 1991 No Doubt signed with Interscope Records. Their first album, No Doubt, was released in 1992. It was not successful. Interscope refused to back a tour for the group due to this. In 1994 they released a self-released album, The Beacon Street Collection.

The group's third album, Tragic Kingdom (1996), was the magic combination. It became their breakout hit, due, in large part, to one of the five singles released from the album, Don't Speak. This album, which has sold more than 16 million copies, not including mp3 music downloads. It also garnered the group, and Stefani, several Grammy nominations for 1996.

In 2000 they released Return of Saturn to disappointing results. Much more success was found with their next project, Rock Steady (2001). Two of the singles, Underneath It All and Hey Baby received Grammy Awards. The Singles, 1992-2003, a greatest hits collection, was released in 2003.

On Her Own

In 2003 the members of No Doubt chose to take a bit of a break. While on hiatus Stefani decided to produce a solo album. Love.Angel.Music.Baby (L.A.M.B) was released in 2004. This album contained three smash hit singles, What You Waiting For?, Rich Girl, and Hollaback Girl. Also on this album Stefani debuted her all-girl backup group, the Harajuku Girls, modeled after Japanese club kids. In 2006 Stefani released a second solo album, The Sweet Escape, which became her all-time most successful song of her solo career.

Time off from No Doubt also gave Stefani time to focus on her other passion, fashion designing. Her clothing line, L.A.M.B., debuted in 2003. She followed this up with a second line in 2005, Harajuku Lovers, a line of Japanese inspired clothing. In 2006 she released a limited edition line of Gwen Stefani fashion dolls, complete with clothing from her tours and videos. She has also stepped into the world of technology, designing a 4.1 megapixel, Harajuku Lovers' HP digital camera. She has also branched out beyond clothing to accessories, most notably, accessories for Apple products.

No Doubt Reunion

In May 2009 No Doubt made their first re-appearance. They appeared at the Bamboozle festival in Atlantic City, NJ. This sparked No Doubt's rising star for 2009 and beyond. Later in 2009 they appeared as a fictitious band on the CW's Gossip Girl. They followed this up with a summer blowout tour and a project in the works to be released sometime in 2010.

Awards and Accolades

In addition to two Grammy Awards and five MTV Video Music Awards, Stefani has also been honored by various fashion and mainstream magazines for her unique fashion sense and striking appearance. Her mix of vintage and punk has pushed her forward as a type of fashion icon.

The World of Motherhood

From an early age Gwen Stefani has had a desire to be a mother. On September 14, 2002 she became Mrs. Gavin Rossdale, guitarist and lead singer for the British grunge band Bush, and an instant (step)mother to Rossdale's 16 year-old daughter, Daisy. Then, on May 26, 2006 Stefani and Rossdale became parents to Kingston James McGregor Rossdale. Just over two years later they became parents for the second time to Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale, August 21, 2008. Stefani relishes in her roll as mother and doesn't let her career interfere with her efforts to parent her children to the best of her ability.

Did you know that...

...Gwen Stefani was a member of the swim team in high school.
...she was an hour late for her own wedding.
...she was a student at Cal State Fullerton

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