In the glitzy world of music and television, few love stories shine as brightly as that of Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton. From their first meeting as competing coaches on The Voice in 2014 to their heartfelt wedding in 2021, their decade-long romance has defied expectations, blending pop-punk swagger with country charm. What began as a professional rivalry blossomed into a partnership that saved them both from heartbreak and redefined their lives. Join us on a journey through the sparks, songs, and soulmate moments that made Gwen and Blake one of music’s most iconic couples.

Rivals on the Red Chairs (2014)

It all started in April 2014 on the set of The Voice Season 7. Gwen Stefani, the No Doubt frontwoman with a punk-rock edge, joined the coaching panel alongside country king Blake Shelton, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, and Pharrell Williams. At the time, both were married—Stefani to Bush rocker Gavin Rossdale, with whom she shared three sons (Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo), and Shelton to fellow country star Miranda Lambert. Their interactions were professional, marked by playful competition as they vied for contestants. Yet, beneath the banter, a friendship sparked. Stefani posted a selfie with Shelton on Instagram in November 2014, captioned simply, “💓him @blakeshelton @nbcthevoice gx,” hinting at a budding connection. Little did they know, their lives were about to unravel, setting the stage for something extraordinary.

Bonding Over Broken Hearts (2015)

By mid-2015, both Stefani and Shelton faced personal turmoil. Shelton announced his divorce from Lambert in July, a high-profile split that stunned the country music world. A month later, Stefani filed for divorce from Rossdale after 13 years, citing irreconcilable differences. The pain of their respective breakups drew them closer, as they found solace in shared experiences. “Gwen saved my life,” Shelton told Billboard in 2016. “Who else on earth could understand going through a high-profile divorce from another musician?” Stefani echoed this sentiment on The Howard Stern Show, marveling at the “unbelievable” timing that brought them together.

Their friendship turned romantic by October 2015, when they were spotted holding hands at a Halloween party. A source confirmed to PEOPLE that “Blake and Gwen have begun dating,” noting their happiness and mutual support. Their public debut as a couple came in November 2015 at the CMA Awards, where their chemistry was undeniable. Fans were initially skeptical—could a California pop star and an Oklahoma cowboy really make it work? But as Stefani told Ryan Seacrest, their bond over shared heartbreak was “kind of crazy” and deeply real.

Love in the Spotlight (2016–2017)

In February 2016, Stefani and Shelton made their red-carpet debut at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, acting “like giddy teenagers,” according to a PEOPLE attendee. Their musical collaboration soon followed, with the duet “Go Ahead and Break My Heart” on Shelton’s 2016 album If I’m Honest. The song, co-written over text messages, marked a turning point. Stefani, hesitant about a new relationship, was won over by Shelton’s effort to impress her with songwriting, a craft she cherished. “He sent me a half-written song and said, ‘Help me finish this,’” she told PEOPLE. “It was our first song together, and we weren’t even in the same room.”

By 2017, their relationship was a cultural phenomenon. Shelton was named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, a title Stefani encouraged him to embrace. “You’re going to regret it if you don’t live in the moment,” she told him. Meanwhile, Stefani returned to The Voice as a coach, delighting fans with their playful on-screen chemistry. “I’m so happy to be back with my best friend Blakey,” she told PEOPLE. Their duet “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” for Stefani’s holiday album further cemented their musical partnership, blending her pop flair with his country twang.

Embracing a New Life (2018–2020)

As their romance deepened, Stefani adapted to Shelton’s Oklahoma ranch life, a far cry from her California roots. “I’m not a dirt person, but it’s so beautiful here,” she told PEOPLE in 2023, describing Oklahoma as a “vortex” of nature and peace. Shelton gifted her a horse, tapping into her love for riding, and she embraced his world of fishing and gardening. During the 2020 pandemic, they grew even closer, planting gardens and recording “Happy Anywhere,” a duet that captured their contentment. “We got to do things we never get to do, like try to make sourdough bread,” Stefani told Entertainment Tonight.

In October 2020, Shelton proposed to Stefani at his Oklahoma ranch, presenting her with a stunning ring. “Hey @gwenstefani, thanks for saving my 2020… And the rest of my life,” he wrote on Instagram. Their engagement was a milestone, celebrated by fans who’d watched their love unfold on The Voice. Stefani’s victory as a coach in Season 19, with contestant Carter Rubin, added to their shared triumphs, though Shelton jokingly noted his six wins still topped her one.

A Ranch Wedding and Beyond (2021–2023)

On July 3, 2021, Stefani and Shelton married in an intimate ceremony at Shelton’s Oklahoma ranch, officiated by The Voice host Carson Daly. Shelton surprised Stefani by writing a song for his vows, a gesture that left her teary-eyed. “I decided to surprise her by writing a song instead,” he told PEOPLE. Stefani wore a custom Vera Wang gown, and their blended family—Stefani’s sons and Shelton’s loved ones—made the day unforgettable.

The couple continued to thrive, balancing music and family. Shelton embraced his role as a stepdad, a responsibility that led him to leave The Voice after Season 23 in 2023. “I want to do it right, and that means stepping away from something like The Voice,” he said. Their 2023 duet “Purple Irises,” inspired by their shared love of ‘70s yacht rock, became a fan favorite, with Stefani noting how Shelton’s passion for the song shaped her album Bouquet. At their respective Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies in 2023, they traded heartfelt speeches. “Everybody knows you are my dream come true,” Stefani told Shelton, while he called her “the perfect person” for the honor.

Stronger Than Ever (2024–2025)

As of May 2025, Stefani and Shelton are celebrating a decade together, with their love as vibrant as ever. Their latest duet, “Hangin’ On,” from Shelton’s album For Recreational Use Only (released May 9, 2025), reflects on their wish to have met earlier. “It leans into the fact that we didn’t meet until later in life,” Shelton told PEOPLE. Stefani, now 55, and Shelton, 48, cherish their Oklahoma life, raising Stefani’s sons and enjoying simple pleasures like gardening and golf trips.

Stefani has been open about the “chaos” of their early days, admitting she nearly ended things. “I told him, ‘This is not happening,’” she recalled to PEOPLE. But music, faith, and mutual respect pulled them through. On The Drew Barrymore Show in April 2025, Stefani revealed their secret: a “third party”—God—keeps their marriage strong. “We make sure to have faith in our relationship,” she said. Their cozy date nights, lounging on separate couches with chips and dogs, paint a picture of domestic bliss.

A Love That Inspires

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton’s journey from The Voice rivals to soulmates is a testament to love’s unpredictability. Their story, woven with duets like “Nobody But You” and “Purple Irises,” transcends genres and geographies. “She’s my best friend,” Shelton told Access Hollywood in 2024. “We have so much fun together.” For Stefani, Shelton is a “miracle” who restored her faith in love. As they approach their 10th anniversary in November 2025, their romance continues to captivate, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected pairings make the sweetest harmonies.