In the world of country music, Blake Shelton has long been a towering figure, known for his chart-topping hits, his 23-season tenure as a coach on The Voice, and his larger-than-life personality. But in recent years, the Oklahoma native has revealed a more personal side, opening up about how becoming a stepfather to Gwen Stefani’s three sons has profoundly altered his life—and even his music career. As of April 28, 2025, with Shelton preparing to release his new album For Recreational Use Only on May 9, the country star’s reflections on stepfatherhood offer a heartfelt glimpse into the man behind the music, showing how family has reshaped his priorities, his creative output, and his legacy.
A New Chapter Begins: From The Voice to Family Life
Blake Shelton’s journey to stepfatherhood began in 2014 when he met Gwen Stefani on the set of The Voice. At the time, Shelton was married to Miranda Lambert, and Stefani was married to Gavin Rossdale, with whom she shares three sons: Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo. Both marriages ended in 2015, and Shelton and Stefani found solace in each other, their shared experiences of heartbreak forging a deep bond. By 2016, they were dating, and Shelton quickly became a father figure to Stefani’s boys, a role he officially embraced when the couple married in July 2021 at their Oklahoma ranch.
Shelton, who does not have biological children of his own, admitted that taking on the role of stepfather was initially daunting. In a 2020 interview on TODAY, he described it as “scary” at first, noting the responsibility that comes with being more than just a “buddy” to the kids. “It’s one thing to be with the kids all the time and be their friend, but you do have to consider after a while that they start to listen to things that you say,” he said. Yet, Shelton was ready to embrace the challenge, drawing inspiration from his own father, Richard Shelton, who had been a stepfather to Shelton’s older brother, Richie, and later to other children after remarrying.
“My dad, when he married my mom—my mom had a baby, my brother, Richie,” Shelton shared during a 2022 interview at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. “He took Richie on and raised him from the time he was 1 year old, and my brother never thought of my dad as anything other than his dad.” This example gave Shelton the confidence to step into the role, telling Stefani, “You got three boys? Awesome! My dad did it. My dad raised me. I could do this.” That confidence proved to be well-founded, as Shelton has since described his stepchildren as an integral part of his life, saying, “I can’t imagine my life without these kids now.”
A Shift in Priorities: Family Over Fame
Stepfatherhood fundamentally changed Shelton’s perspective, shifting his priorities in ways he never anticipated. In a 2024 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Shelton reflected on how becoming a stepdad altered him “in every possible way.” He explained, “I learned quickly, not because anything happened, but just, you know, reading the room, you’ve really got to take a step back. When people say it’s not about you anymore when you have a kid… I think, if you’re doing it right, it’s not about you anymore.” This selflessness marked a significant departure for Shelton, who had spent much of his career focused on his own ambitions.
That shift in mindset had a direct impact on his career decisions, most notably his choice to leave The Voice after 23 seasons in 2023. Shelton, who had been with the show since its inception in 2011 and won nine times, cited his role as a stepfather as a primary reason for stepping away. “I think being a stepdad has changed my perspective in that I’m not the first person that I think about anymore,” he told Access in January 2023. “Even to the small little things when you go, ‘I think I’ll do this,’ the very next thought is always, ‘Well, wait a minute. How’s that going to work? What will they think? How will that affect a schedule?’” For Shelton, the risk of missing out on time with Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo outweighed the allure of continuing on the show, a decision that underscored his commitment to family over fame.
Shelton’s departure from The Voice allowed him to spend more time at his 1,300-acre ranch in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, where he and Stefani have created a haven for their family. The ranch, where the couple exchanged vows in 2021, has become a place of grounding for Shelton and a playground for the boys. “I get to teach them the country, you know, and I love that,” Shelton told People in 2024. “Whether it’s music, whether it’s literally getting out, getting their hands in the dirt or being out on the ranch, seeing the animals, whatever, you know? I absolutely love being the person that gets to introduce them to that stuff.” The ranch has become “like Disneyland” for the boys, with Shelton teaching them how to fish, start fires, and throw hatchets—activities that reflect his own rural upbringing in Ada, Oklahoma.
A New Creative Spark: Family-Inspired Music
Stepfatherhood didn’t just change Shelton’s life—it also transformed his music. In a 2022 interview with Country Countdown USA, Shelton noted that his new life with Stefani and her sons had impacted both the content of his music and his long-term career plans. “The ‘God’s Country’ hitmaker says his new life with Stefani has impacted both the content of his music and long-term career plans,” the outlet reported, highlighting how Shelton’s role as a stepfather brought a fresh perspective to his songwriting.
One of the most notable ways this influence manifested was in Shelton’s collaborations with Stefani. The couple, who began releasing duets in 2016 with “Go Ahead and Break My Heart,” have since made it a tradition to include joint tracks on Shelton’s albums. In a 2025 interview with TODAY, Shelton expressed his desire to continue this trend, saying, “I don’t feel like I want to make a record without a duet with Gwen on it anymore. She’s my favorite person to sing with.” Songs like “Happy Anywhere” and “Nobody But You,” both No. 1 hits, reflect the joy and stability Shelton found in his relationship with Stefani and her family, a stark contrast to the heartbreak themes that dominated his earlier work during his marriage to Lambert.
Shelton’s stepchildren have also inspired his music in more direct ways. In a 2025 interview, he shared his dream of one day creating music with Stefani’s sons, saying, “That would be a lot of fun. I know that that would be Gwen’s dream come true is to have, like, a band or something like that.” While such a collaboration has yet to materialize, the idea reflects Shelton’s desire to make music a family affair, a goal that aligns with his broader shift toward prioritizing family over career.
Shelton’s music has also taken on a more reflective tone since becoming a stepfather. His latest single, “Let Him In Anyway,” from the upcoming album For Recreational Use Only, explores themes of loss and faith, with lyrics that hint at the emotional depth he’s gained through fatherhood. “Hey, God, I know you know what I’m ’bout to pray… Could you let him in anyway?” the song asks, a poignant reflection on vulnerability and hope. The track’s emotional weight reportedly moved an executive at Shelton’s label to tears, underscoring its impact. This introspective turn in Shelton’s music can be traced back to the lessons he’s learned as a stepfather, where selflessness and responsibility have become central to his identity.
A Role He Takes Seriously: Shelton’s Commitment to Fatherhood
Shelton’s dedication to his stepchildren goes beyond music—it’s a role he takes “very seriously,” as he told People in 2022. “Even though I’m a stepparent, I take that job very seriously. The kids see me as a very important person in their life,” he said, noting that when the boys ask, “Why isn’t Blake here?” he makes a point to be there. This commitment has been evident in the way Shelton has integrated into the family, from celebrating milestones like Kingston’s 18th birthday in May 2024—which Shelton said “blows my mind”—to creating traditions like fishing trips and bonfires on the ranch.
Shelton’s approach to stepfatherhood is also shaped by his own experiences growing up in a blended family. In addition to his father’s example, Shelton has often spoken about his stepfather, Mike Shackleford, whom he considers “one of my heroes.” In a 2021 interview with KFROG, Shelton said, “I love my stepfather and I look up to him, and he’s like a father to me, so I have a good inspiration in my life for how to do this and the kind of stepdad I want to be.” This personal connection has made Shelton particularly empathetic to the challenges of blending families, a sensitivity that Stefani has praised. In a 2019 interview with Hollywood Life, she called Shelton “a good dad,” a sentiment she often echoes in her annual Father’s Day tributes to him on Instagram.
A Lasting Impact: Shelton’s Legacy as a Stepfather and Artist
As of April 28, 2025, Blake Shelton’s life looks markedly different from the whirlwind of his Voice days. He and Stefani split their time between their LA mansion and their Oklahoma ranch, where they’ve cultivated a life centered on family. Shelton’s decision to step away from The Voice has allowed him to focus on what matters most—his role as a stepfather and his music career, now infused with the lessons of fatherhood. “This isn’t about me anymore and never will be again,” he told People in 2022, a mantra that continues to guide him.
Shelton’s candid reflections on stepfatherhood reveal a man who has found profound fulfillment in family, even as he continues to evolve as an artist. His music, once dominated by party anthems like “Boys ‘Round Here,” now carries a deeper emotional resonance, reflecting the growth he’s experienced as a stepdad. As he prepares to release For Recreational Use Only, fans can expect more of the heartfelt, family-inspired tracks that have become a hallmark of his later career—a legacy that blends his love for music with his love for his family.
For Blake Shelton, stepfatherhood changed everything, from his daily priorities to the very music he creates. It’s a role that has brought him joy, purpose, and a new perspective on life, proving that sometimes, the greatest hits aren’t found on the charts, but in the quiet moments of family life.
