Gwen Stefani Through the Years: Photos of the 54-Year-Old Singer

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October 3, 2023 10:41AM EDT
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Gwen Stefani has been a musical icon since the 1990s. Celebrate the No Doubt singer’s 54th birthday with photos from her young days.

Gwen Stefani was just 17 years old when she began singing as the lead vocalist in the band, No Doubt, in 1986. The group had its breakthrough in 1995, and Gwen skyrocketed to superstardom as the group’s frontwoman.

She wasn’t only known for her voice and punk rock attitude, but also for her edgy style. Gwen was never afraid to be bold with her fashion choices, and that’s something that’s continued throughout her entire career. In 2004, Gwen also embarked on a solo music career, and has remained a worldwide superstar in the years since.

Gwen certainly hasn’t been able to avoid the spotlight during her career, and we’ve seen her transform right in front of our eyes. Her look and style has drastically changed over the years, and we rounded up photos of the singer from her early days to now. Keep scrolling through the gallery to check out Gwen then and now!

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Gwen Stefani Performing With No Doubt

Gwen Stefani Performing With No Doubt
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Gwen Stefani hit the stage in Las Vegas while performing with No Doubt in 1996. She wore her hair in a bob with the ends flipped up, and put her stomach on display in a crop top and low-rise jeans.

 

May 15, 2020, 2:02PM
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Gwen Stefani In 1997

Gwen Stefani In 1997
Bei/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani performed at the Race to Erase MS event in 1997. She wore a strapless red top and dramatic white skirt, with her hair styled in buns around her head.

May 15, 2020, 2:02PM
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Gwen Stefani At 1998 VMAs

Gwen Stefani At 1998 VMAs
Bei/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani rocked a bold outfit at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards in California. She wore a blue bra top, along with a poofy black skirt and black pants underneath. And, yes — her hair was blue!

May 15, 2020, 2:02PM
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Gwen Stefani In 1990

Gwen Stefani In 1990
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Gwen Stefani performed with No Doubt in 1999. She rocked pink hair and braces.

 

May 15, 2020, 2:01PM
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Gwen Stefani At VH1 Music Awards

Gwen Stefani At VH1 Music Awards
Kim D Johnson/AP/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani hit the stage for a performance at the VH1 Music Awards. She channeled a sailor in a blue crop top with a sequined tie and matching sailor’s hat.

May 15, 2020, 2:01PM
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Gwen Stefani At 2001 Vogue Fashion Awards

Gwen Stefani At 2001 Vogue Fashion Awards
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani graced the red carpet at the 2001 VH1 Vouge Fashion Awards. She wore a mesh top with bikini top over it, along with baggy knee-length pants and fishnet stockings.

May 15, 2020, 2:01PM
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Gwen Stefani At ‘XXX’ In 2002

Gwen Stefani At ‘XXX’ In 2002
Bei/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani shows off her stomach in a white tank top at the premiere of XXX in 2002. She paired the top with a skirt and bright red lipstick to complete her makeup look.

 

May 15, 2020, 2:01PM
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Gwen Stefani At Super Bowl XXXVII

Gwen Stefani At Super Bowl XXXVII
Elaine Thompson/AP/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani brought down the house at Super Bowl XXXVII. She wore a sequined silver crop top with black, punk rock pants, and matching gloves on her hands.

 

May 15, 2020, 2:01PM
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Gwen Stefani At 2004 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

Gwen Stefani At 2004 Vanity Fair Oscars Party
Richard Young/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani made a major statement at the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscars Party. She wore a feathered dress and a dramatic fur coat, with her hair styled into a curly updo.

May 15, 2020, 2:01PM
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Gwen Stefani At 2005 Vanity Fair Party

Gwen Stefani At 2005 Vanity Fair Party
Richard Young/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani looked stunning while attending the 2005 Vanity Fair Oscars party. She wore a black leather dress, with her hair pulled back into a sleek updo.

May 15, 2020, 2:00PM
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Gwen Stefani At New York Fashion Week In 2006

Gwen Stefani At New York Fashion Week In 2006
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Gwen Stefani showed off her L.A.M.B collection at Hew York Fashion Week in Sept. 2006. She wore a simple black dress with her hair in curls and a pop of red lipstick.

May 15, 2020, 2:02PM
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Gwen Stefani At New York Fashion Week 2007

Gwen Stefani At New York Fashion Week 2007
Henry Lamb/BEI/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani took the runway while promoting her L.A.M.B. collection at NYFW in 2007. She wore a black and white mini dress and her hair was pulled back into a slick ponytail.

May 15, 2020, 1:59PM
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Gwen Stefani A 2010 Met Gala

Gwen Stefani A 2010 Met Gala
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Gwen Stefani attended the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2010 Costume Institute gala. She wore a one-shouldered dress with matching silver clutch and her hair in an updo.

May 15, 2020, 2:02PM
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Gwen Stefani & Son Zuma

Gwen Stefani & Son Zuma
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Gwen Stefani carried her son, Zuma, during an outing in Aug. 2009. She wore jeans and a denim vest while cradling her newborn, who she shares with ex Gavin Rossdale, in her arms.

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani At New York Fashion Week 2010

Gwen Stefani At New York Fashion Week 2010
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Gwen Stefani strutted on the runway while attending New York Fashion Week in Sept. 2010. She promoted her L.A.M.B collection and wore a patterned outfit.

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani At ‘Tree Of Life’ Premiere

Gwen Stefani At ‘Tree Of Life’ Premiere
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani attended Cannes Film Festival in May 2011. For the premiere of Tree of Life, she wore a sequined black jumpsuit and dark eye makeup, with her hair in dramatic curls.

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani Performing In 2012

Gwen Stefani Performing In 2012
Amanda Schwab/Starpix/Shuttersto

Gwen Stefani performed with No Doubt at the NFL Opening Kickoff in Sept. 2012. She wore checkered pants and a black crop top, with knee-high boots and her hair in a bun.

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani At 2013 Event

Gwen Stefani At 2013 Event
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutt

Gwen Stefani walked the red carpet at an event in 2013. She rocked a sparkling fringe dress and her hair in a high bun, with red lipstick to complete her makeup look.

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani at 2014 MTV VMAs

Gwen Stefani at 2014 MTV VMAs
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Gwen Stefani stood out on the red carpet at the 2014 Video Music Awards. She wore a hot pink outfit with her hair in a half ponytail and pointy-toed black heels.

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani At Global Citizen Earth Day Concert

Gwen Stefani At Global Citizen Earth Day Concert
Nick Wass/Invision/AP/Shuttersto

Gwen Stefani performed at the Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day on the National Mall in Washington D.C. She wore baggy green pants and a blazer vest, with her hair pulled back into a neat ponytail.

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton In 2016

Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton In 2016
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton made their red carpet debut at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscars Party. They started dating several months earlier after meeting on ‘The Voice.’

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani In London in 2017

Gwen Stefani In London in 2017
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Gwen Stefani strutted her stuff while out and about in London in Dec. 2017. She wore thigh-high yellow boots and a stunning gold dress for the appearance.

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Gwen Stefani At Moschino Show

Gwen Stefani At Moschino Show
Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani attended the Moschino Show in June 2018. She wore thigh-high boots, a black dress and a dramatic jacket, with her hair styled long and straight.

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Gwen Stefani In 2019

Gwen Stefani In 2019
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Gwen Stefani stunned at the Monte Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean in Sept. 2019. She wore a blue dress with a long train and her hair parted to the side.

May 15, 2020, 1:56PM
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Gwen Stefani At 2020 Grammys

Gwen Stefani At 2020 Grammys
David Fisher/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani stunned in a mini dress while attending the 2020 Grammys. She paired the strapless ensemble with thigh-high boots and sleek hair.

May 15, 2020, 1:55PM
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Gwen Stefani At The 2022 Met Gala

Gwen Stefani At The 2022 Met Gala
Stephen Lovekin/BEI/Shutterstock

Gwen Stefani looked like a dream in neon green Vera Wang during the 2022 Met Gala on May 2. She flashed her flat abs and wore long opera gloves with silky blonde hair falling down her back.

October 3, 2022, 11:23AM
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Gwen Stefani At The 2022 AFI Life Achievement Awards

Gwen Stefani At The 2022 AFI Life Achievement Awards
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Gwen Stefani had us in tiers in this ruffled ombre dress at the 48th Annual AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Julie Andrews on Jun. 10, 2022. Her gorgeous dress transitioned from a tight ivory top to shades of green that flowed through the train behind her.

October 3, 2022, 11:22AM
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Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani in 2023

Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani in 2023
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Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani posed together as Blake was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California on May 12, 2023.

October 3, 2023, 10:36AM