Though she’s long kept her politics private, Gwen Stefani has been hit with backlash over her perceived views following a questionable social media post.
The discourse began last week after Stefani praised former Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s interview with actor Jonathan Roumie ― best known for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in “The Chosen,” a popular Christian series ― in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“u r a powerful inspirational human,” the No Doubt frontwoman wrote of Roumie. “What an enlightening intelligent beautiful interview thank you for being u.”
The two stars share a professional connection. In addition to his film and television work, Roumie is the narrator of the Catholic prayer mobile app Hallow. Stefani, a devout Catholic, appeared in a Christmas-themed ad campaign for the app during the 2024 holiday season.
Many fans, however, interpreted Stefani’s promotion of an interview conducted by Carlson ― a controversial right-wing news figure and longtime supporter of President Donald Trump who was briefly rumored to be his vice presidential running mate ― as indicative of her own political stance.
“As a day one solo career fan, who has paid top dollar to see your special post-Super Bowl show, Las Vegas residency & all of your solo tours, I am BEYOND disappointed in you; I’m simply done,” one person wrote on X. “You don’t owe me anything… but I also don’t owe you my dollars or respect.”
Added another: “Gwen is in her Trump era.”
Meanwhile, X users who seemingly support both Carlson and Trump offered praise for the three-time Grammy winner.
“I’ve always loved your music, Gwen, but now I really love you as a person. STAY STRONG!!!” one person wrote.
Representatives for Stefani didn’t immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
Stefani’s politics have long been a matter of speculation among fans. The music superstar hails from Orange County, California ― a region that, despite its proximity to Los Angeles, has been known to skew conservative.
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In 2021, Stefani wed country artist Blake Shelton, who has seemingly hinted at his own Republican leanings, roughly six years after the couple met as co-hosts on “The Voice.” Prior to the marriage, Stefani sought a Catholic annulment of her first marriage to fellow musician Gavin Rossdale, with whom she shares three children.
Asked about her politics in an interview with Paper magazine in 2021, however, Stefani noted, “I can see how people would be curious, but I think it’s pretty obvious who I am.”
“I’ve been around forever. I started my band because we were really influenced by ska, which was a movement that happened in the late ’70s, and it was really all about people coming together,” she added. “The first song I ever wrote was a song called ‘Different People,’ which was on [President Barack Obama’s] playlist, you know, a song about everyone being different and being the same and loving each other. The very first song I wrote.”