Is Gwen Stefani on the verge of a nervous breakdown while ‘doing it all’?

Gwen Stefani

Here are some photos of Gwen Stefani with and without Gavin Rossdale as she completed some Christmas shopping. I’ve been a big fan of Gwen’s since the mid 1990s when “Just a Girl” hit the airwaves. I have always been envious of her stellar ab muscles. In her recent Marie Claire interview, Gwen lamented that her busy life (mother, singer, designer, etc.) had forced her to give up working out so much over the past year or two, but I really don’t believe her because she was looking pretty ripped onstage a few weeks ago at one of Gavin’s gigs. During the same interview, however, Gwen admitted that her life’s been super hectic since she began recording the new No Doubt album. She said, “Every day I fail at something. Every day someone is suffering because I’m doing all these things.” Now a new story in this week’s Star poses the theory that Gwen is about overdue for a nervous breakdown:

Gwen Stefani

Outsiders might envy Gwen Stefani, considering how much success she’s enjoying these days. Her band, No Doubt, is now preparing for a comeback tour after releasing a critically acclaimed album, Push and Shove, that debuted in the No. 3 slot on the Billboard charts. The mother of two is also managing three thriving clothing lines while pushing forward on her solo music career — all with the support of her loving husband, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. But those close ot the pop star and fashion icon say that she’s in way over her head — and if something doesn’t change fast, she could crack under the pressure.

Gwen’s loved ones are concerned that the grueling rehearsal schedule for No Doubt’s 2013 tour will be the straw that breaks the singer’s back. “Gwen is a complete mess right now,” and insider reports. “She can’t keep up with everything. She gets no sleep, and she cries constantly because she feels like she’s letting Gavin and the kids down by not being with them as much as she should.” Tony Kanal — No Doubt’s bassist, who dated Gwen for seven years before her marriage — has also commented on how overwhelmed she is. “She thinks she’s failing at everything,” he has said. And Gwen herself has hinted at her anxiety during a recent interview: She described all the projects she’s working on and then admitted, “It is ridiculous. It’s impossible!”

The pressure seems to be wreaking havoc on her physical health as much as her emotional state. “Her stomach is in knots, her back aches constantly, she can barely move her neck and she has headaches nonstop,” the source says. “Her acupuncturist is at her beck and call night and day because she’s always in so much pain.”

But acupuncture doesn’t work miracles — and the stress may be destroying her most valuable asset: her vocal cords. “Her exhausting nonstop schedule is taking a huge toll on her voice,” the mole reports. “It has been coming and going in a way that scares her and her bandmates.”

It’s also terrifying to her husband. The rumor mill was recently abuzz with gossip that Gwen’s marriage was in trouble after she and Gavin were spotted coming out of a therapist’s office together — but, according to her pal, the truth is that Gwen is the only one in counseling, and Gavin goes along to be supportive.” He begged Gwen to get therapy and is begging her to ease up before she has a major breakdown,” the insider explains. But with so many committments that she can’t back out of, a breakdown may be the excuse she needs to finally get some reat.

[From Star, print edition, January 7, 2013]

I can easily believe this story. Gwen is burning several candles at both ends. Honestly, I have no idea why she decided to join up for the No Doubt reunion except that the band really doesn’t exist without her, and she’d probably feel guilty if she turned down Tony Kanal and the other boys. But it isn’t as if Gwen has to be a singer, a rock chick, and a clothing designer in order to support her family, you know? (Note: I’m not asking her to give up her career, but she doesn’t have to do all if it if she doesn’t have the energy. She could afford time time off from either singing or designing, and the world won’t collapse.) Her sons would certainly have been able to attend college without this No Doubt tour, and I think it’s a case of Gwen needing to learn to say “no.”

Here’s one very obvious reason that this story could be true. Gwen has recently admitted to touching up her platinum hair color up every 10 days, and it’s very important to her that no one ever see her dark roots. In this photo taken about a week ago, Gwen’s roots are definitely showing.

Gwen Stefani

Gavin Rossdale

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet

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55 Responses to “Is Gwen Stefani on the verge of a nervous breakdown while ‘doing it all’?”

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  1. Christina says:

    Yawn. Am I the only one who gets tired of hearing these millionaire mothers, who could maintain their families in luxury without ever having to work another day in their lives, complain of how ‘busy’ they are? Funny how she always manages to find enough time to be impeccably dressed and made-up, even on those trips to the park where the paps just so happen to find her?

    • Jennifer says:

      She is always that made-up. I read an interview somewhere where she said she doesn’t like her husband to see her without her make-up. Crazy, right?

    • Bridge13 says:

      Nope. You’re not the only one.

    • the original bellaluna says:

      Oh, and don’t forget the allotted six hours a day (or whatever) of working out with a personal trainer who SHOWS UP AT YOUR HOUSE(!!!!) while your closest personal chefs prepare the food for your household and the nannies watch your kids.

      Bitches, please. Kindly have a seat on your well-toned asses, on one of those custom couches (or “chaises,” if you prefer) your interior decorator picked out for you.

      • Christina says:

        Not to mention all those appointments with the ‘aesthetician’ for botox and whatever the hell else she’s had done.

        I think these women get so caught up in their own super-privileged bubble that they genuinely forget (if they ever knew) what life is like for the vast majority of people. If Gwen is so worried about her family ‘suffering’ because of her ‘stressful’ lifestyle, she has a number of options available to her. Other women are not so lucky.

      • Veruca says:

        bellaluna!

        How can you be so heartless? I’m surprised at you.

        Gwen-gwen has it vewwy rough, you know. Picking out fabrics is SO HARD!

        😛

      • Agnes says:

        “Bitches, please” indeed.

      • vic says:

        Love it!

    • bluhare says:

      Couldn’t agree more. She drives me nuts with all those child friendly photo ops. Please, Gwen. If you need to give something up, give up those!

      • Ramona says:

        She is trying almost too hard. In my opinion she has something nasty to hide. BTW I don’t know why but she looks more and more masculine. Not a good thing.

    • June says:

      I never comment (I’ve been lurking for years though) and I just wanted to agree with you. I am also tired of hearing muli-millionaires complain that their life is so rough. The rest of us are working day jobs and praying that the financial disaster our country is in will not mean we’ll get laid off. Regardless of the economy Gwen will do just fine. How many of us can say that?

      • Isa says:

        I said the same thing on another blog and I don’t think it was taken well. Aah home at celebitchy! 🙂 I just can’t relate to her. Somedays I’m gone before my kids are awake and come home after they’re asleep. My husband works 12 night shifts and comes home and sleeps. He barely sees the kids for about 3-4 days a week. We HAVE to do this stuff. If I had her money I’d be a SAHM until the kids were older.

    • Pandy says:

      Agree – i was just thinking that if I saw her schlepping around like Mila Kunis, I’d buy the stories of her breakdown … but nope – impeccably dressed and made up.

  2. Joanna says:

    hate her hair color! change it up. platinum hair looks trashy to me. i love the way she dresses though

    • KellyinSeattle says:

      Ditto; not as annoying as Nicki Minaj but a close call

    • Sassy says:

      Why oh why do dark eyed, dark haired women dye their hair light blonde? Unless you have light eyes and a fair complexion blonde hair always looks phony.

  3. Granger says:

    It’s so clear that she COULD spend more time with her husband and kids if she REALLY wanted to. But she’s obviously a Type A personality who wants to do it all perfectly, and won’t allow herself to slow down. And truthfully, you don’t become hugely successful without sacrificing a hell of a lot of “normalcy.”

    I can’t relate. I admire people like Gwen, but I just can NOT relate. To me, life is too short not to stop and smell the roses. It’s especially mind-boggling when, as noted in this article, Gwen probably already has more money than she knows what to do with.

    • F5 says:

      Type A does not feel guilt, they just terrorize everyone around them. (*cough Madonna *cough)
      Gwen might be just an overachiever.
      ..and she’s not getting any younger-stress from keeping it all together;)

    • akua says:

      I think you captured it right there, it’s important to stop and smell the roses. Something that she may (or may not) realize at some point, maybe when it’s too late.

  4. Belle Epoch says:

    Stress kills. Not right away, but it catches up with you.

    She is doing a lot of things at once, and none of them as well as she would like. She’s spread too thin.

    Personally I think she should make her kids a bigger priority. Spending time with your kids doesn’t make you famous, but what is more important – your children or more publicity?

    • Pandy says:

      She does spend time with her kids – they go to the same colorist!!

      • OriginalMe says:

        I can’t stand how her kids are dressed. They look trashy. I know she’s trying to make them look cool, but they are kids. Let them be cool when they are older.

      • Mitch Buchanan Rocks! says:

        And exposing the kids to the chemicals in hair dye isn’t healthy for them either. I agree with original me – let them be kids – that’s what I like about the Brangelina family.

    • Lulu says:

      I agree. People with a lot of money can also have a lot of responsibility and stress. I don’t think she knows how to say no.

  5. Tuxedo Cat says:

    I’m so glad she is seeing a therapist to help her sort out her priorities…

    That’s difficult enough when you have more than one kid (I have 3).

    Also she has to produce creatively, she’s probably directly responsible for several jobs, bc No Doubt wouldn’t exist without her.

    She also has to look like a model 24/7. Touchups every 10 days — what a bore!!

    • Nina W says:

      As a fan of No Doubt I have to protest, she became far more famous and successful then the rest of the group but she would not be where she is today without them. Tragic Kingdom is an amazing album and she did not perform it alone.

  6. Louise says:

    She shouldn’t have married an Ahole who demands his woman look a certain way then!

    would it really kill him if she went out with her natural hair colour and minimal or SHOCK HORROR no makeup?!

    She’s stunning naturally.

    I would HATE to have a relationship where the guy demands me to be a certain way. He would be outta the door so fast his feet wouldn’t touch the ground!

    Be yourself Gwen and find someone who loves you for who you really are, and can help your inner light shine, rather than insist you live your life as a painted butterfly for his personal gratification. YUK.

    • emmie_a says:

      If you’ve ever read interviews about her, SHE is the one who always wants to be made-up and pretty for Gavin. He’s not demanding her to do it — it is all HER choice and I’ve never gotten the vibe that he’s behind her choices – it’s HER choice to be *perfect* all the time.

  7. Petee says:

    Why all the negative about Gwen?She is pretty normal considering how successful she is.I think she is a good wife and mother.She isn’t some hot mess.

  8. HadleyB says:

    I’ll believe she is falling apart when I see brown with silver roots, no red lipstick and she either loses or gains some weight, and starts wearing sweatpants and Uggs ..

    So far I can’t see anything physical that resembles falling apart lol … Even if she doesnt work out she restricts her eating — she even admitted she likes fashion much more than eating so she eats lightly to fit fabulously into clothing. Which is fine and much easier to do w hen you are not at home with the kids all day .. running an empire.

  9. Lem says:

    Just because she has plenty of money doesn’t mean she should have to give up who she is. Who she is- is wrapped in what she does. She is an entertainer. She is the lead singer of No Doubt. She is a fashion designer.
    She shouldn’t have to give up what she does, thereby who she is, to be a good mother simply because she has enough money to do so. That’s ludicrous.
    She does appear to be a good mother. Part of that is showing her sons that she does not have to give up being herself to raise them.
    The makeup and hair things are self inflicted. Those are part of Gwen’s personal issues. Those are asides.

    Some of those comments really get my goat. No one is suggesting Gavin help out or work less because he has plenty of money. The woman, like so many of us is trying to do it all. Some days we succeed, some days we fail. Some days it is a wash. Most mothers feel like they are failing at something now and again. As do most people balancing fulfilling lives.
    To criticize her for wanting to do it all. Largely based of the argument that she has enough money not to do any of it. That is just – –
    Examples of women who have plenty of money and do nothing vs examples of women who have plenty of money and still work hard at what they are passionate about. Which woman would you rather have as a role model?
    Long and rambly much. Apologies

    • Nicole says:

      Don’t apologize! Thank you! It makes me sad that so many women feel she should give up her career just because she can to concentrate full time on motherhood.
      Many women aren’t fulfilled by focusing solely on motherhood, and that is ok. Just like its ok to choose to give up your career and concentrate on the family if you’re able to do so. But bashing each others choices isn’t getting us anywhere. And you’re right, no one is suggesting Gavin quit Bush or whatever else he does for fun.

      • Christina says:

        I don’t think anyone is saying Gwen needs to give up working. What people are saying is that if, as the article claims, she is feeling ‘stressed out’ as a result of ‘doing too much’, then she – as a multi-millionaire – has options which are simply not available to the average working parent. She could give up work today and still be able to raise her family in luxury. If she chooses to remain working it is just that – a choice which most working women don’t have. So many of us aren’t all that sympathetic to her complaints of being ‘busy’ when she freely chooses her lifestyle.

    • Masque says:

      No one is criticizing Gavin or suggesting he work less because he’s not the one whining about being too busy. When he starts complaining about being overwhelmed with all the jobs he VOLUNTARILY does, then we’ll rip on him.

    • Petee says:

      Love what you said,I just don’t get why all thee people are being hater’s and just being not informed.I like her and her and Gavin seem to live a pretty normal life,this isn’t Lindsay Lohan here,this is someone that has worked hard for what she has,it wasn’t handed to her on a silver plate.

      • Isa says:

        I don’t think she should have to give up
        Her career, that she’s worked hard for, but she doesn’t have to have so many balls in the air. Her stress is self induced, unlike mine where I have to do what I can to provide for my kids. So it’s hard for me to relate because if I were in her position I’d be a stay at home mom. Maybe, she does have a way better job than I do. I’d probably do something, but not everything that she’s doing.

  10. valleymiss says:

    I love Gwen but…the album was NOT critically acclaimed. And it’s generally considered to have bombed. I love the way she dresses, but I think it’s hilarious that she never gets papped in the same outfit twice. And since ND is on the front burner, she needs to let the fashion line go to the back burner.

  11. sirsnarksalot says:

    I adore her, but she needs to give it a rest. Give up the music or the fashion lines. Have a real life that’s less hectic. Her commercial for the Windows phone where she lists all her commitments exhausts me just to listen to. Gwen, you have succeeeded! Nothing left to prove! Don’t run yourself into the ground, girl.

  12. bns says:

    I used to really love her, but she seems so desperate and kind of pathetic to me now, and the disappointment that was No Doubt’s last album hasn’t helped.

  13. roxy750 says:

    She is just beautiful, one of the most beautiful women

  14. tabasco says:

    i love gwen. im a gwen-a-loonie (?) i guess. sounds like she’s got some perfectionism issues going on. side note: *nobody* should be sh*t on or have to deal with nonsense for getting photographed coming out of a damn therapist’s office. people who sincerely seek help should be applauded for it. our world might be less of a mess. especially in hollywood cos those b*tches need it!! 🙂

    • Isa says:

      If I could afford it I’d probably go to therapy and Couples therapy. Especially couples therapy. I know a lot of people see it as a couple is in trouble. But really I think it would be beneficial throughout a relationship. Work on your problems before they start to chip away at your marriage. Maintenance.

  15. hopperlea says:

    If Gwen is about to have a nervous breakdown with all her “over-dramatic” stress than I should be committed to the looney bin.

    Stressed out my ass! Being a multi-millionare with servants at your beckon call is just so overwhelming.

    Poor Gwenny.

  16. erika says:

    Why do we put pressures on women to ‘Do it All!’….’wear many hats’ ‘be a Super Mom!’

    -why can’t we appreciate women for the choices THEY CHOOSE to make and MAKE WELL. to me that’s more powerful than an overburdened, stressed out, overextended mom who is sooooo clearly stresed she can’t even enjoy her kids.

    • Nina W says:

      Women put pressure on themselves to “have it all” and make themselves sick with stress trying to have it all.

  17. JessiL says:

    Newsflash to all you haters: SHE IS A CELEBRITY. Gwen works hard to maintain that status. If she was a normal working class woman, yes she would have the same toils as us. But she is not. I’m ashamed at how hateful our society has become. Everyone experiences stress no matter what financial bracket.

    • lena80 says:

      Sad how some people equate money with happiness isn’t it? As if she isn’t capable of feeling stressed out because she’s rich? Some of these comments are side eye worthy.

  18. ramie says:

    I love how Gwen hasn’t let herself go. She looks amazing. Never frumpy. This is what celebs get paid big bucks to be. As a celeb, in the public eye you need to play the part.

  19. EJ says:

    I feel for her. While I agree that she has the money to not work again, not do it all, and not be so stressed, a lot of this comes down to the expectations you set for yourself. She expects herself to be a good mom, beautiful, in good shape, and successful at a very high level. Sure, she could let some of that go, but it takes some internal debate to reset your priorities and self expectations. For me, everyone thought I was crazy to be working full-time, raising a little one, managing a household and running fifty miles a week to stay in shape–and it was crazy!! But, it was what I had always done, and I had to “reset” my expectations after becoming a mom to match up with priorities. It happened (I still run, but much less), but it wasn’t easy. Go Gwen!

  20. elle renee says:

    As a “common” working mom, I get where the critical comments come from about her… that being she has a fleet of resources at her disposal (nannies,
    Personal assistants, beauty consultants, chefs, etc.) and therefore people shouldn’t have compasssion for her, but then again I don’t have to sing and perform in front of

    ddodont don t hace

  21. elle renee says:

    As a “common” working mom, I get where the critical comments come from about her… that being she has a fleet of resources at her disposal (nannies,
    Personal assistants, beauty consultants, chefs, etc.) and therefore people shouldn’t have compasssion for her, but then again I don’t have to sing and perform in front of 1000’s of people. Just sayin…

    • Mew says:

      Strictly speaking, neither she has to sing to 1000s of people, it’s her free choice and she could stop if she wanted to. Nobody puts a gun to her head.

      Being stressed for having to touch up roots once a week? That’s not smart thing to complain. And compared to wars that are going around the world, people dying… that attitude just makes me sick.

      As if she had no choice. Bitch please.

      • sputnik says:

        she didn’t actually complain about doing her roots. in a previous interview she mentioned how frequently she did and now people are using that as evidence of how highly strung she is.

        of course she doesn’t HAVE to keep working. the same way people don’t HAVE to have children. most of us make our life choices. and then we live our lives dealing with those choices. and yes, it’s much harder for people who have less money or less support. that doesn’t mean we should scoff at women who are having trouble just because we feel like they should be having an easier time than us. oh, she’s rich, how dare she complain? actually, she didn’t. other people are saying there’s something wrong.

        the inability to sympathise or empathise with someone who’s struggling, just because of their wealth or status, doesn’t make you righteous. it makes you kind of mean.

        however hard your life is, there are people who have it worse. that doesn’t mean your situation doesn’t matter.

  22. Carolyn says:

    We want our celebrities to be fabulous and look fabulous at all times (consider all the negative comments on Mila being papped with no makeup, hair not done & WEARING A TRACKSUIT!!!)

    That song “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”…they’re always complaining comes to mind. The band wrote it in response to a Brad/Jennifer interview years ago and I can’t help thinking of it whenever these stars have the audacity to complain about their lives in an attempt to make themselves more relatable to the public. Sorry Gwen, not buying it.

  23. Luxe says:

    I don’t buy it either. She’s in a position in life where if something was stressing her out, she can afford to take a step back from it and regroup. Why are we haters for pointing that out? I am nowhere near her financial bracket (YET), but I have stressed myself out NUMEROUS times b/c I’ve taken on too much. Guess what? I’ve had to choose. Gwen could choose too.

    She clearly wants to do it all, so she shouldn’t complain that it stresses her out.