In a move that has sparked both praise and criticism from her fans, Grammy Award-winning singer and The Voice coach Gwen Stefani has partnered with Hallow, a popular Catholic app focused on prayer and meditation.
Stefani celebrated the collaboration on Instagram, saying: “Christmas season has always been my favorite time of the year. It’s a season that we get to celebrate the birth of our Lord. This year, I’m excited to share that I’ve partnered with this amazing prayer and meditation music app called Hallow on their 25-day prayer challenge leading up to Christmas called Advent Pray25.”
“Join me and millions of other Christians around the world as we celebrate the truth that God so loved the world that he gave us his only son,” she continued, “Download Hallow and join me in praying every day. God bless.”
In a separate post on Hallow’s Instagram, Stefani promoted her single, “Christmas Eve,” expressing her desire to “write Christmas music based on the real meaning of Christmas. I wanted to help people celebrate when Christ was born.”
Since its launch in 2018, Hallow has become the world’s leading Catholic app, with over 14 million downloads and more than 400 million prayers logged across 150 countries. The app regularly partners with Catholic celebrities, including Mark Wahlberg, Jim Caviezel and Jonathan Roumie.
This year’s Advent Pray25 challenge features notable figures such as Roumie, Kevin James, Bear Grylls, Francis Chan, Lauren Daigle and, of course, Gwen Stefani.
Gwen Stefani’s Catholic roots
Stefani rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits like “Hollaback Girl” and “The Sweet Escape.” She has spoken publicly about her Catholic upbringing and her adult faith before, particularly in the context of her marriage to country star Blake Shelton in 2021 after her marriage to musician Gavin Rossdale was annulled.
Reflecting on her relationship with Shelton, Stefani shared in a 2017 interview with Yahoo Entertainment: “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the miracle that happened to me. Some people don’t like to hear this, but for me, it was a spiritual intervention. It was a true miracle.”
“I think the only way I got through all the hard times is through my spiritual faith and my belief in God, because I’ve seen the miracles around me. I know it makes people uncomfortable to talk about, but we are at Christmas, a spiritual time, and I am proof of those things,” she continued. “My No. 1 thing in my life is my faith, and everything else falls after that. I just always have been asking for guidance. That’s all I care about. Everything else is beneath that. [Shelton] was just one of the gifts I was given, and I’m so very, very, very grateful.”
Stefani and Shelton, who reportedly converted to Catholicism in 2018, traveled to the Vatican with their children to attend a general audience with Pope Francis this past June.
Reaction to Stefani’s role with Hallow
Alex Jones, CEO and co-founder of Hallow, expressed his gratitude for Stefani’s involvement in the Advent Pray25 challenge.
“It’s been an honor to have Gwen as part of the challenge this year,” Jones said in an email to Our Sunday Visitor. “We’ve seen a lot of folks who are giving prayer a try for the first time, a lot of folks in really difficult places finding peace in Christ this Advent, and a lot of them heard about it because of Gwen.”
The response among her fans has been mixed, with a significant portion expressing annoyance and anger. “Who is this and what have you done with the real Gwen?!” one commenter exclaimed on Instagram. “Not only does she make music to match her husband’s, but now she seems like such a Republican. Back then, I don’t think Gwen would have ever been this person. What the heck happened. This is sad.”
“I understand your faith is important to you, but this is seriously cringe and you’re so much better than pimping a scammy religious app!” another comment read.
Other extreme comments read, “Hail Satan,” and mockingly accused Stefani of becoming a “trad wife.”
However, Stefani also received a number of comments praising her for being open about her faith. “Good for you, Gwen! Proclaim our faith!!!” one supporter cheered, while another fan added, “I am so proud of you, Gwen, for proclaiming your faith. Christ is King and the only living God! Amen!”
“Love, love, LOVE that you’re doing this and talking about your faith publicly knowing the backlash you’d probably receive. Our family loves Hallow!” another fan wrote.
In a world where celebrities are often scrutinized for their beliefs, Stefani’s willingness to express her Catholic faith — whether through music, prayer or public endorsements — is being seen by many as an encouraging sign this Advent season.
“It takes courage to share about your faith,” said Jones, “and we’re incredibly grateful Gwen has been so bold in sharing hers.”
