Inside Blake Shelton’s Close Bond With Gwen Stefani’s Kids

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When Blake Shelton fell in love with Gwen Stefani, he knew she came as a packaged set.

He didn’t realize how happy he would be becoming a stepfather to Stefani’s three children: Kingston, 19, Zuma, 17, and Apollo, 12, from her previous marriage to Gavin Rossdale.

Blake Shelton admitted he didn’t fully understand the role when he became a coach on ‘The Voice,’ but he was eager to take it on. He shared during a 2022 radio seminar that he’s grown to care for his fellow coaches, the ‘boys,’ just as much as he cares for his wife, Gwen Stefani.

Okay, so Kenny was talking to People magazine, and honestly, it totally wrecked me in the best way. He said his fans have shown him a side of himself he never knew existed. Like, he’s always been ‘just’ a country singer, a fun, silly guy – and don’t get me wrong, I love that Kenny! – but they’ve made him realize he’s someone people actually depend on. He said he never thought he’d be that person for anyone, and it’s just… it’s so beautiful to hear him say that. It makes me feel so good knowing we all give him strength too!

Zuma and Apollo, the sons of Gavin Rossdale (Bush) and Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), probably didn’t grow up expecting to be fans of country music. However, their tastes have expanded, and they were recently in Las Vegas to support Blake Shelton at the 2026 ACM Awards while their mother performed nearby at The Sphere.

On May 6th, while performing at Caesars Palace, Shelton expressed his frustration about being scheduled to play the same night as No Doubt’s opening night, asking, “Who would book us on the same night, every single night?”

But for the most part, Shelton’s happy anywhere lately, so long as his family is nearby.

He decided to leave The Voice in 2023 after 23 seasons largely because he wanted to dedicate more time to his stepchildren.

It’s just… these kids, they really look up to me, you know? It means the world. Seriously, when they ask where Blake is, it kills me. I’ve done okay for myself, made some money, but honestly, none of that matters if I miss out on things with them. I just don’t want to look back and wish I’d been more present, you know? Time is the one thing you can’t get back, and being there for them is everything.

Stefani also questioned whether starting a relationship with Shelton so soon after her split from Rossdale in the summer of 2015 was a crazy idea, so she took some time to think it over.

Shelton acknowledged that parenting is incredibly challenging. In a 2021 interview on KFROG’s The Ride With Kimo & Heather, he wondered if being a step-parent was as difficult – or even more so – than being a biological parent.

He weighed in again a few years later, having learned more about putting the step in stepdad. 

In a 2024 interview on Today, Shelton shared that being a parent is surprisingly challenging. He explained he’s learning to balance offering guidance with knowing when to give space, but always wants to be available when his children need him.

Shelton confessed that parenting is incredibly challenging. In a 2021 interview on KFROG’s The Ride With Kimo & Heather, he wondered if being a step-parent was as difficult – or even more so – than being a biological parent.

He weighed in again a few years later, having learned more about putting the step in stepdad. 

In a 2024 interview on Today, Shelton explained that being a parent is challenging. He focuses on knowing when to give space and when to offer support, but always makes sure he’s available when his children need him.

He was eager to teach Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo everything they needed to know on his farm in Oklahoma.

He shared at the Country Radio Seminar that he really enjoys introducing people to the country lifestyle. He loves showing them everything from the music to hands-on experiences like working the land, seeing animals, and truly connecting with the culture. He finds it incredibly rewarding to be the one who opens their eyes to it.

Shelton remembered that the children weren’t used to the countryside when they first began visiting his property.

He described Kingston and Zuma’s initial reaction to Tishomingo, Oklahoma: they simply didn’t know what to do. He told them to go outside and explore until they were exhausted. They couldn’t even picture themselves doing simple things like playing in the creek with a net, looking for creatures under rocks, or going for a ride in a buggy.

I’ve been following Blake Shelton for a while now, and it’s so sweet to see how much he cherishes his family. He and Gwen are planning to do some serious gardening on their farm this year, which is exciting! But honestly, in a video he posted a few weeks ago, he admitted he already misses when all the kids were little. It just shows how quickly time flies and how much those early years meant to him.

He told Entertainment Tonight in April 2024, just before his son Kingston turned 18, that he’d happily relive the past decade. He’s amazed Kingston is already 18, and another child will reach that age in a couple of years. He’s looking forward to having more free time as his kids get older, and he’s definitely okay with that.

He also mentioned they still had Apollo, giving them about ten more years before needing to find a replacement, which he thought would be enjoyable.

See more of the sweetest things Stefani and Shelton have said about their family:

Gwen shared with Ryan Seacrest in November 2015 that she found someone attractive, but also acknowledged it was strange they were going through similar experiences simultaneously. She expressed gratitude for the support she received from others, explaining that hearing their stories – simply sharing, not necessarily confiding – helped her gain a new perspective and heal.

“I can’t help but be in love with her. She’s amazing,” Blake said on Today in March 2018.

After a heartbreak—or at least, when I go through one—I need to express my feelings and want others to understand. I was really struggling, at my lowest point, and Gwen Stefani helped me through it. It’s hard to imagine anyone else who could truly relate to the pain of a very public divorce from a fellow musician, as she had been through something similar.

Growing up in Orange County, California, I was used to the beach. Experiencing a ranch in Oklahoma is completely different from what I knew, and it’s been an amazing and wonderful new experience for me. I said this on Jimmy Kimmel Live in August 2020.

Gwen shared with Ellen DeGeneres how much she loves weddings and how universally liked Blake is – her kids adore him, and everyone around them does too. She finds herself constantly thinking about how wonderful he is.

Gwen Stefani says her style has become more traditionally feminine lately, which she attributes to being in a loving relationship with a very masculine partner. She explains that during her time with No Doubt and even well into her thirties, she didn’t focus on being seen as sexy and generally preferred a more tomboyish look, rarely even carrying a purse. (From an interview with InStyle in July 2018)

Gwen was surprised when Blake told her People magazine wanted to feature him as Sexiest Man Alive, since he usually avoids photoshoots. She immediately encouraged him, playfully telling him he was very attractive and should definitely do it.

Gwen described Blake as captivating and exceptionally talented, saying he has a magnetic personality that draws people in. She likened him to a ‘unicorn’ during a September 2019 interview on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live.

Blake Shelton tweeted in June 2018, while watching Gwen Stefani rehearse, that he was amazed by how many huge hits she’s written. He strongly encouraged people to see her Las Vegas show if they could get tickets.

Blake shared on Good Dish in March 2022 that someone saved him from a really low point in his life. He described it as being rescued from a fall, saying she was always there for him and gave him a feeling of unwavering support – something he’d never experienced before. He called it ‘the greatest feeling.’

Blake Shelton admitted he didn’t fully understand what he was getting into when he became stepfather to Gwen Stefani’s sons – Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo – but he was happy to embrace the role. He shared in a 2022 interview that his love for the boys has grown every day, just as much as his love for Gwen.

Gwen shared with People magazine in November 2024 that she always dreamed of getting married, having a loving family like her parents, and having children. When that dream didn’t come true, she had to rebuild and create a new one. She sees meeting Blake as the turning point that made that possible – a true blessing.

Gwen described meeting her husband as a fresh start, especially after the painful breakdown of her family, which she felt was devastating. She explained that it was incredibly difficult to recover from such a loss, but she believes meeting him was a blessing that allowed her to find love again. She shared this with The Guardian in November 2024.

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2026-05-19 23:19