In a realm where Cher, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and more major musical maestras over 40 are redefining what it means to be an “aging pop star,” Gwen Stefani suggests her age is the reason her career is nearing the “end of its journey.”
The ‘Hollaback Girl’ hitmaker – whose last studio album, ‘This Is What the Truth Feels Like,’ debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in 2016 (despite its singles’ lack of impact on the Hot 100) – is gearing up for a highly anticipated Vegas residency at the Zappos Theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort set for kick off next month (click here to read more about that). Ahead of the show’s debut, Stefani took to press to not only dish on the endeavor but also talk about its perfect timing due to her duties of being a mom and…umm…her age bringing her career to a close.
Sparking rumors of retirement almost instantly, read her words inside:
Stefani:
“Being on-stage for me, I always forget how much it is a part of who I am,” she tells journalist Allison Kugel. “I’ve done it for my whole life pretty much. I always think I don’t want to do it. I always think it’s fine if I never do it again, and then, when I get onstage, even when I’m soundchecking, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I love this! I love my music, I love being up here, I love the attention and I love being able to share that love with people and get that exchange.’
“I don’t understand why I like it so much. It’s my gift. It’s what I’m here for. So this [residency] is perfect. But I’m obviously at the end of my journey of being a musician… because of my age.“
Stefani continues:
“It’s perfect for me to be able to do a Vegas show because not only does it work for me as a mom, but it also works creatively,” she adds. “It’s new, it’s a challenge. Creatively, I couldn’t have done it any sooner. I had to have all these songs. It just feels like the perfect next chapter for me.” [source]
Your thoughts?
It’s probably because you took a long ass hiatus, then came back with trash. Age may be considered negative, but it’s not enough to end your career.
I agree. If you as an artist, take too long music fans tend to forget about you
Agree, and Sade is undoubtedly the only artist I know able to get away with it. Unlike Gwen, Sade has 6 classic albums and timeless music under her belt.
I think it was more with her being know more as a group with No Doubt. I think she only had 2 memorable solo albums and the 2nd one was already not as good as the 1st. She should have scored some more hits when she was younger by working with other hit makers in addition to Pharell.
Trash? You speak for yourself. Gwen’s last album was good.
@Marta…- Yes it was, I STILL play it.
Too true. Plus the music she came back with was poor. And she’s changed her face so much she’s very generic now, looks wise. Her music became equally generic. Still a place in my heart for her though with the right music.
I’m glad she has a great sense of self awareness. More older singers should realize this. You can’t be on top forever your base will move on but will always remember the classics.
Exactly sorry her voice isn’t the best without that band she was apart of!!
Gurl bye! Her problem is she lacks motivation! She basically said she likes being on stage, but also likes being off stage playing the good housewife. Make up your mind, Gwen! Nobody told her to take that long break from music to sit up in the house everyday with Gavin. Now at her age it’s true she won’t get much support from radio, but if she actually has something to say with her music then she should still put it out there and find other ways to promote it.
Guuuurl you should have seen what Rihanna was doing and took note. You simply can’t take a hiatus like you did in Pop music. Your music didn’t have enough impact for you to be the exception to the rule that if you disappear for years people will forget you. Age plays a factor – but you did this to yourself also. SMH
Agreed. Age had nothing to do with it. It was her long hiatus that killed her career. I mean sure, after a certain age Top 40 radio does stop playing your music, unless its “Throw Back Thursday,” but it doesn’t stop you from making music and touring. Madonna, Janet, Mariah etc. may not be played on Top 40 but they definitely still sell out stadiums.
Honestly I had no idea she was coming up on 50! I’m shocked. I thought she was like 42.
Hollaback don’t crack lol ???
This is true and it applies to Beyoncé, too, as she approaches 40. Other than jumping on Ed Sheeran’s remix she hasn’t had smash radio or major hit song in years.
The BeyHive gonna come after you for this fact, LMFAO!
What a shame to read this, she should feel ashamed. The age is not the problem, the commercial market IS the problem. She can still make music, stop the comedy.
No, its not her age. Its her singing. Real singers will always survive and pushed into legendary status where they won’t have to “compete”. Its also her race. The pop world pushes them out and only let a few threw. At least when one of our acts ages they have BET, Essence, and TVOne.
Her last album was solid bops tho and it had so many single worthy songs on it. I think she should continue to make music IMO even the last No Doubt album was dope!
Only reason why she’s feeling this way because… one if you don’t speak to the new young kids while growing as a artist you will NEVER be able to last to the end. The young kids are the ones buying and downloading and streaming for dear life.. her fans are what 30-35 to 40. And their not buying records are caring enough about streaming the s*** out your records. So if you can’t adjust and gain new fans YOUNGER Fans then you will just fade to black.