Gwen addresses Republican rumors + new photoshoot

[Franch Toast 25,245]

I just read this article which might put some of these rumors to bed (hopefully): 

https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/gwen-stefani-politics

Is Gwen Stefani a Republican? Well, it’s sort of a funny question to ask someone who was one of the top fundraising bundlers for Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. Yet speculation about Stefani’s political leanings has intensified over the past few years, especially ever since she started dating country musician Blake Shelton. A chance encounter with the then-Republican Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, only muddied the waters. According to reports, Stefani and Shelton were dining at a restaurant in Shelton’s native Oklahoma when Ryan happened to walk in (his wife is also a native Oklahoman). Shelton posed for a picture with Ryan, though Stefani, notably, did not. Later, Shelton took to Twitter to clarify that it was a completely coincidental run-in, that he had never met Ryan before, and that he wasn’t political.

Still, some have taken this as proof that Stefani is now a card-carrying member of the GOP. It’s an allegation that has carried so much weight that she was recently asked about it in a cover story for Paper magazine.

[. . .]

 

According to FEC, Stefani was single handily one of the top bundlers for the Obama campaign back in 2012. She raised at least $500,000 for the effort, though the exact amount is unclear since the FEC only reports those numbers in tiers. Still, that put Stefani in the top tier of all bundlers and put her in the company of more traditional fundraising movers and shakers like Jeffrey Katzenberg and Ted Sarandos. The only other traditional celebs to reach that level were Eva Longoria, and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s combined efforts. Though, fashion powerhouses Anna Wintour and Tom Ford were also in the top tier. 

The bulk of Stefani’s bundling likely came from a fundraiser she held at her home with Michelle Obama. 

Stefani also personally donated the maximum $5,000 to Obama’s campaign and another $1,250 to the DNC, according to Open Secrets. She has made no personal donations to Republicans.

[ . . .]

When the Obamas held their final state dinner in 2016 to welcome the prime minister of Italy, Stefani was both an invited guest and the evening’s musical entertainment (yes, she brought Shelton along, too). Stefani and her children stopped by the Oval Office to meet with the Obamas before the formal shindig as well. She also still follows Michelle Obama on Instagram, for what that’s worth.

[ . . .]

In July 2016, just as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were wrapping up their parties’ nominations and the general election began in earnest, Stefani went on a summer solo tour. She saved “Just a Girl” for the penultimate song of the setlist, and on opening night in Massachusetts introduced the song in that faux-bratty voice she adapts with, “This next song just feels appropriate. I don’t know why. It just feels appropriate.” She then tears through lyrics like “I'm just a girl, lucky me. Twiddle-dum, there's no comparison” with a certain animosity. Is this speculation...looking for tea leaves? Sure, but it was the summer of 2016, and anything that seemed like a pointed commentary on the election probably was. 

[ . . .]

 

Look, we know certain fans will not be satisfied until Stefani grabs them by their hands, looks deep in their eyes, and declares, “Look, babe, I wrote the fiercest ‘90s pop feminist anthem this side of the Spice Girls, have every Operation Ivy and The Specials album on vinyl, and have Michelle Obama on speed dial. Why the **** would you think I’m a Republican?” Though, it doesn’t seem she’s ever going to be that direct about it (whether she’s in a relationship with Shelton or not).

Stefani also came to fame in the ‘90s, when, if you can believe it, celebrities were far less publicly involved in politics. We didn’t have Twitter back then! Pop stars weren’t announcing their primary endorsements like they were The New York Times or something. It was a different time. A lot of mainstream celebrity activism was through lowkey fundraising appearances and the like—the kind Stefani has a history of engaging in.

 

 

 

[Robo Ga 14,497]

Lol if she doesn’t have the balls to say she isn’t, in a clear and literal sense, she basically is Republican in my mind. If I was in a position of power I would be completely insulted if anyone thought I was republican and I would be explicit in communicating that I’m not. 🤷‍♂️ no sympathy 

[Reed 707]

I think it’s reasonable that she chooses to keep some things private. This may be one of those things and it looks like her history speaks for itself.