Pop icon Gwen Stefani has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after her choice of attire for a major festive event was branded 'inappropriate for a family show' by some viewers.
Festive Performance Sparks Online Debate
The 56-year-old singer performed her new holiday song, 'Hot Cocoa', at the 93rd Annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting in New York City on Wednesday. She joined a line-up including host Reba McEntire, Kristin Chenoweth, and Michael Bublé for the ceremony, which saw a 75-foot Norway spruce illuminated by 50,000 lights.
For the occasion, Stefani showcased three distinct looks. One was a long-sleeved green dress with embellishments, with a hemline several inches above the knee. Another was a nude-coloured minidress with shimmering silver details, and the third was a strapless pink number with a short front hem and a trailing train.
However, the ensembles prompted a strong reaction from one viewer on X (formerly Twitter), who wrote: 'Gwen Stefani is wearing the most inappropriate outfit for a family show!!! Disgusting how short her dress is. Shame on you NBC!!'
Fans Rush to the Star's Defence
The criticism was not universal, with many fans quickly leaping to Stefani's defence online. One supporter countered, 'It was all fine... people just wanna complain to complain,' while another simply told critics to 'Get a life.'
Others praised her style, with one fan stating: 'She looks like a dream, an angel, a goddess, sassy and sparkly, perfectly in her Gwen Stefani element.' Supporters also pointed out that other major artists, including Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, have worn similar styles on stage during their own tours.
The performance served to promote Stefani's deluxe album, 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2025)', which also features the track 'Shake The Snow Globe'—a song she performed on The Tonight Show the same day.
Addressing Split Rumours and Future Plans
The event came amidst ongoing speculation about the state of Stefani's marriage to country star Blake Shelton. The couple, who wed in 2021, have been subject to split rumours in recent months, partly fuelled by their absence from award shows and Shelton's release of a breakup-themed song in March.
Seemingly addressing the rumours, Stefani wore several rings given to her by Shelton at a film premiere in NYC on Tuesday. She later discussed their holiday plans on the Today show, stating, 'We're doing all the regular stuff... We just bounce back and forth between Oklahoma constantly.' The pair own a sprawling 1,300-acre ranch in the state.
Looking ahead, it was announced in October that Stefani's band, No Doubt, will reunite for a residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas in May and June 2026. The band, which reformed for Coachella in 2024, was founded in 1986 and is known for hits like 'Just A Girl' and 'Don't Speak'.
Stefani was previously married to Gavin Rossdale, with whom she shares three sons: Kingston, 19, Zuma, 17, and Apollo, 11.
