Michelle Kaplan

Gwen Stefani - No Doubt, More than Just a Girl

 No Doubt the name Gwen Stefani conjures up images. The platinum blonde with the powerful voice was belting out the sarcastic pout “I’m Just a Girl,” back in 1995.

Before that, Stefani was just a girl - interested in just routine things. “All I wanted to ever do was get married and have babies… have a house,” she was quoted as saying in 1997 to the Washington Post. Growing up in Fullerton, California, her brother, Eric introduced her to new wave and ska music that was becoming a happening little scene in Los Angeles. Eric had formed a band with John Spence and soon invited his sister to join on vocals. She shared that role with Spence, who later committed suicide leaving Stefani the solo vocalist.

After two albums that were commercially unsuccessful, No Doubt struggled…but kept on. Meanwhile, brother Eric left the band to become an animator on the TV’s hugely popular, Simpsons. Stefani became involved with fellow band mate Tony Kanal. Their volatile relationship and eventual breakup inspired a group of songs that became the band’s third and best selling album. It also put them on the musical map. That album, Tragic Kingdom, gained No Doubt and Stefani fame after selling over 15 million copies and earning two Grammy nominations. Three singles, “Spiderwebs,” “Just a Girl” and “Don’t Speak” were attributed to its popularity, and the album hit Number One in Billboard Magazine.

In 1995, while No Doubt was the opening act for the band, Bush, Stefani met

Gavin Rossdale.

“I first saw her on Rollerblades,” said the former Bush front man in an interview with People Magazine. “I don’t By Richard Munroe know what it was…something about her. She ruined my concentration.”

The two were married in September, 2002 in two separate ceremonies: first at St. Paul’s Church in London, where she walked down the isle in a custom gown by John Galliano, and then another ceremony was held in Los Angeles two weeks later. They became parents last May. Stefani broke the news of her pregnancy to fans during a concert in Ft.

Lauderdale by saying, “I want you to say it loud enough so that the baby hears it.” She then egged the audience to sing along with her during a rendition of “Crash.” The crowd went crazy.

Five months later, Stefani gave birth at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The couple welcomed a 7 ½-pound baby boy named Kingston James McGregor Rossdale.

Last August, the couple bought Jennifer Lopez’ old Beverly Hills digs off of Mulholland Drive for $15.5 million. The 10,000-sq.-foot mansion sits on two-acres. But it’s Gwen’s on-stage presence and funky fashion statement that give her that irresistible aura that she carries today. Due to her increasingly popular image, this April, Yahoo.com’s front page asked if Stefani is, “The new material girl?” The clip added that her latest video, 4 In the Morning is reminiscent of a “Vogue-era Madonna.”

Once voted one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People,” Gwen has taken on different projects, adding her voice to Eve’s rap, “Let Me Blow Your Mind” and Moby’s “Southside.” She also is a popular solo artist, fashion designer and actor. Her solo album, Love.Angel.Music.Baby, came out this past November and introduced the controversial Harajuku Girls. Stefani was taken by the young Asian girls that sewed their own fun and outrageous clothes, partied in nightclubs and were named for the named for the area around the Harajuku Station of Tokyo.

While working as Stefani’s four backup dancers, a controversy erupted that the Girls have perpetuated the stereotypical attitude of Asian women - that of being subservient and non-speaking. A rumor then surfaced that Stefani had them sign a contract to never speak English angered the Asian community.

Recently, Stefani appeared in Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator, playing Jean

Harlow. She continues to work with her own fashion label L.A.M.B, which offers everything from trendy jackets, jeans and T-shirts to baby clothes.

Gwen Stefani is set to perform locally at the Sound Advice Amphitheater in West Palm Beach on May 9, at 7:30 PM. She will be appearing with Akon and Lady Sovereign. For tickets and more information, call the box office at

561-795-8883.