Career Timeline of Gwen Stefani: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Gwen Stefani, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Gwen Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer, best known as the lead vocalist of the band No Doubt. No Doubt gained fame with hits like "Just a Girl" and "Don't Speak." During No Doubt's hiatus, Stefani launched a successful solo pop career in 2004 with her album Love. Angel. Music. Baby., which was inspired by 1980s pop music. The album produced several hit singles, including "Hollaback Girl," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first US download to sell one million copies. Stefani is known for her distinctive voice, fashion sense, and contributions to pop culture.
1986: Joining No Doubt
In 1986, Gwen Stefani was invited by her brother Eric to provide vocals for No Doubt, a ska band he was forming.
1991: Signing with Interscope Records
In 1991, No Doubt was signed to Interscope Records, marking a significant step in their professional music career.
1992: Debut Album Release
In 1992, No Doubt released its self-titled debut album, but its ska-pop sound was unsuccessful.
1994: Collaboration with Sublime
In 1994, Gwen Stefani contributed guest vocals to "Saw Red" on Sublime's album Robbin' the Hood.
1994: Platinum Blonde Hair Transformation
Since late 1994, Gwen Stefani has typically had platinum blonde hair. This transformation was discussed in her song "Platinum Blonde Life".
1995: Release of Tragic Kingdom
In 1995, No Doubt released their studio album Tragic Kingdom, which included hit singles like "Just a Girl", "Spiderwebs", and "Don't Speak".
1995: Popularizing the Bindi
In 1995, after attending family gatherings with Tony Kanal, who is of Indian heritage, Gwen Stefani began wearing a bindi. She wore this forehead decoration in several No Doubt music videos and briefly popularized it as an accessory. She also became known for her midriff exposure since the "Just a Girl" music video.
1997: "Don't Speak" Tops Charts
In 1997, the single "Don't Speak" from Tragic Kingdom led the Hot 100 Airplay year-end chart.
1999: Pink Hair Appearance
In 1999, Gwen Stefani dyed her hair pink and appeared on the cover of Return of Saturn with pink hair.
2000: Singles released
In 2000, No Doubt released Return of Saturn which focused on Gwen Stefani's relationship with Gavin Rossdale. During this time, Stefani collaborated on the singles "You're the Boss" with the Brian Setzer Orchestra, "South Side" with Moby.
2001: Release of Rock Steady
In 2001, No Doubt released the album Rock Steady, which explored more reggae and dancehall sounds.
2003: Launch of L.A.M.B. clothing line
In 2003, Gwen Stefani debuted her clothing line L.A.M.B., marking her entry into the fashion industry.
2003: Release of 'The Singles 1992–2003'
In 2003, No Doubt released a greatest hits collection, The Singles 1992–2003, which included a cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life".
November 12, 2004: Release of 'Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'
On November 12, 2004, Gwen Stefani's debut solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., was released, featuring collaborations with various producers and artists.
2004: Solo Pop Career Launch
In 2004, Gwen Stefani began her solo pop career by releasing her debut studio album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
2004: Co-writing "Cool" About Friendship with Tony Kanal
In 2004, Gwen Stefani co-wrote her song "Cool" about her friendship with Tony Kanal for her debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
2004: Film Debut in 'The Aviator'
In 2004, Gwen Stefani made her film debut playing Jean Harlow in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator. She also lent her voice to the title character of the 2004 video game Malice.
2004: Portrayal of Jean Harlow in The Aviator
In 2004, Gwen Stefani played original blonde bombshell Jean Harlow in the biopic The Aviator.
2005: Launch of Harajuku Lovers line
In 2005, Gwen Stefani expanded her collection with the Harajuku Lovers line, inspired by Japanese culture and fashion.
2005: Success of Hollaback Girl
Throughout 2005, "Hollaback Girl" remained popular and was the first US music download to sell more than one million copies.
January 2006: Release of "Crash"
In January 2006, "Crash" was released as the sixth single from Love. Angel. Music. Baby., after Stefani postponed the album's sequel due to her pregnancy.
December 1, 2006: Release of 'The Sweet Escape'
On December 1, 2006, Gwen Stefani's second studio album, The Sweet Escape, was released.
2006: Image Modification Inspired by Scarface
In 2006, Gwen Stefani modified her image, drawing inspiration from Michelle Pfeiffer's character Elvira Hancock in the 1983 film Scarface. This included a double 'G' symbol used in the promotion of The Sweet Escape.
2006: Release of 'The Sweet Escape'
In 2006, Gwen Stefani released her second studio album, The Sweet Escape, which featured the singles "Wind It Up" and the title track.
June 2007: Earnings Reported by Forbes Magazine
Between June 2007 and June 2008, Forbes magazine reported that Gwen Stefani earned $27 million from her tour, fashion line, and commercials.
March 2008: New album process
In March 2008, No Doubt started posting about their new album.
March 28, 2008: Songwriting update
On March 28, 2008, Gwen Stefani posted that songwriting for a new No Doubt album had commenced but was slow due to her pregnancy.
June 2008: Earnings Reported by Forbes Magazine
Between June 2007 and June 2008, Forbes magazine reported that Gwen Stefani earned $27 million from her tour, fashion line, and commercials.
May 2009: Bamboozle Festival
In May 2009, No Doubt headlined the Bamboozle 2009 festival along with Fall Out Boy.
September 22, 2010: Wax Figure Unveiling at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
On September 22, 2010, a wax figure of Gwen Stefani was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at The Venetian.
June 6, 2011: No plans for solo work
In an interview on June 6, 2011, Gwen Stefani stated that she had no plans to continue work as a solo artist.
June 7, 2011: Harajuku-Themed Tea Party
On June 7, 2011, Gwen Stefani hosted a private Harajuku-themed tea party at Royal/T in Los Angeles, with proceeds from an eBay auction benefiting Save the Children's relief effort following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
2011: Auctioning Dress for Charity
In 2011, at the amfAR gala during the Cannes Film Festival, Gwen Stefani auctioned off the lacy black dress she wore at the event for charity, raising over $125,000.
August 2012: Fundraiser with Michelle Obama
In August 2012, Gwen Stefani hosted a fundraiser with First Lady Michelle Obama at her Beverly Hills home.
2016: Release of "If I'm Honest" featuring "Go Ahead and Break My Heart"
In 2016, Blake Shelton's album "If I'm Honest" was released featuring the song "Go Ahead and Break My Heart" co-written by Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton.
2016: Release of 'This Is What the Truth Feels Like'
In 2016, Gwen Stefani released her third solo album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, which became her first solo album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
2016: Hero Award at Radio Disney Music Awards
In 2016, Gwen Stefani was honored at the Radio Disney Music Awards with a Hero Award for her charitable contributions.
2017: Collaboration on "You Make It Feel Like Christmas"
In 2017, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton collaborated on the song "You Make It Feel Like Christmas", featured on Stefani's holiday album of the same name.
2017: Release of 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas'
In 2017, Gwen Stefani released her fourth solo album and first full-length Christmas album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas, which had 19 tracks on Billboard's Holiday Digital Song Sales chart.
2019: Support for LGBTQ Community
In a 2019 Pride Source interview, Gwen Stefani expressed her support for the LGBTQ community, stating she would be blessed with a gay son and wants her children to be healthy and happy.
2020: Release of 'Nobody but You'
In 2020, Gwen Stefani released several singles with husband Blake Shelton, including "Nobody but You", which reached number 18 in the US.
2024: Release of 'Bouquet'
In 2024, Gwen Stefani released her fifth studio album Bouquet.
Mentioned in this timeline
Eminem or Marshall Mathers III is a highly influential American...
Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer songwriter and actress widely...
Kelsea Ballerini is an accomplished American singer and songwriter who...
Michelle Obama is an American attorney author and former First...
John Legend born John Roger Stephens is an accomplished American...
California is a U S state on the Pacific Coast...
Trending
8 minutes ago James Franklin: Potential ACC Coaching Role After Penn State Departure?
8 minutes ago Travel Disruptions and New Hotel Notables in Chongqing: Impacts and Developments
8 minutes ago Stanford Victorious Against Portland State, 89-79, in November 4 College Basketball Game
1 hour ago Poland's Thriving Economy, Drone Wall Plan Amidst Global Order Shifts and Russian Threat.
1 hour ago OECD Migration: Slowdown in Rich Countries, Lower Unemployment Reported
1 hour ago Miguel Oliveira's Emotional Farewell at Portuguese MotoGP: A Home GP Send-Off
Popular
Chuck Schumer is the senior United States Senator from New...
Gavin Newsom is an American politician and businessman currently serving...
Candace Owens is an American political commentator and author known...
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
Turning Point USA TPUSA is an American nonprofit organization founded...