Elle magazine comes with a special edition for its May issue, honoring the women in music who sound off in 2020. Therefore, Adele, Robyn, Nicki Minaj, Willow Smith, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Aretha Franklin, Hillary Scott, Feist, Stevie Nicks are featured inside the magazine, talking about their music, writing songs and inspiration.
Since a festive issue needs an appropriate cover, all-around bombshell Gwen Stefani rocks her blonde locks and strikes a sexy pose for Elle May 2020. The 41-year-old hot super-mom talks to the magazine about pop music and writing hits, but also about performing while pregnant and her marriage to Gavin Rosdale.
Speaking about her hubby, the blonde babe admits she is extremely proud of their relationship. “The first time we ever kissed was right around Valentine’s Day—we were in New Orleans on tour. So, yeah, I always think about that because it’s unbelievable that we’ve been able to stay together. I feel so proud of us — it’s one of my biggest achievements,” Gwen told Elle.
The ultimate stylish mom of two, Kingston, 4, and Zuma, 2, confesses that, “It was horrible. Certain songs would make me want to puke. You feel pretty gross when you are first pregnant. You don’t feel cute, you feel disgusting. You’re getting fat. It was hard. I mean, I’m very vain. That would be my middle name. Of course I am, you know what I mean? I love the visual.”
Gwen Stefani has always been a constant inspiration for her fans. On writing hits, she remembers the advice given to her by the iconic Prince. “I do! Why wouldn’t you want that many people listening to the songs that you wrote? There’s no way to go back after you have had it. So the intentions of even the solo records were always about trying to write those guilty-pleasure albums that just get in your head and you can’t get out. I’m not cool, I’m not into the B-sides. Prince, who is one of my idols, gave me some advice when I worked with him: ‘Have you ever just tried writing a hit? Like, don’t just try writing a song, try and write a hit song.’ I remember him saying that and me thinking, Yeah, you’re right. Why would you write anything else?”
Singer and songwriter, Gwen believes that music is just like fashion, certain hits are classic and immortal, while others are ephemeral. “When we were growing up, some of the hits were legendary ones that you hear your whole life. But certain songs, I don’t know if you’ll ever hear them again. Because that’s what that music is, like a guilty pleasure, it’s right at the moment. It’s like fashion — it’s now, then it’s gone,” she told the magazine.
Asked whether she believes that Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Katy Perry have taken a page out of her playbook when it comes to style, Gwen says: “Really? I don’t see myself in those girls. I usually put pants on. I see these girls as more going for the sex-symbol thing. I was more, in the band, like a tomboy. Of course, I think every girl is sexy, so there’s going to be a little of that. But I see a lot of younger artists going more toward the sexy thing.”
Photos courtesy of Elle