Interestingly enough, Stefani and Shelton were enduring some deeply painful struggles in 2014.
Stefani then began the work on her new solo album, and also came onto production of “The Voice”, as a co-judge with Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, and of course, Blake Shelton. And so here is where the two finally came face-to-face. They seemed to hit it off on “The Voice” as both fellow judges and friends.
Light From the Darkness
Stefani’s relationship with Rossdale had crumbled and though her persona was consistently energized and whimsical, she had definitely hit rock bottom. She talked to "Harper’s Bazaar" about her heartbreak and remained positive saying she believes there’s a purpose behind everything.
“All I wanted my whole life was to have babies, be married, like what my parents have… Of course, you go through the 'Why me?' and feel sorry for yourself. But then I was like, 'No, this happened to me already and I made something good out of it.”
A Foot in the Door
Stefani took one of her hardest seasons of life and did what many musicians do; she made beautiful music from it. She began writing her album "This Is What the Truth Feels Like".
Shelton’s career also took a big turn in 2011 (the same year he married Lambert) as he joined the cast of the singing competition show, "The Voice", as a judge. And here was where two new paths would later intersect.
City Girl Meets Country Boy
Gwen being a rocker girl and Blake being a country boy, seemed like they wouldn’t be a match. But apparently, it was a classic case of opposites attract!
Stefani actually hadn’t known much (at all) about Shelton before they met on "The Voice". People Magazine claimed that Stefani had shared that she “didn’t even know that he was a human being on this planet” before the show. So how did the co-judges become more than just friends?
The Same Pain
Shelton and Stefani first met on season seven of "The Voice", but did not become deeply acquainted at that time. Stefani (still married at the time) had taken time off to have her third son.
When she was back on the show in 2014, they were both going through very difficult times in their relationships and bonded over their mutual heartache. In a 2016 interview with Billboard, Shelton dished that it all began from a deep conversation they had about their respective breakups.