Gwen Stefani covers the April issue of Elle UK – the high quality image is the subscribers’ cover, and the low-quality image is the newsstand version. Honestly, I don’t know what Gwen is selling at this point. I don’t think she even has an album coming out, so she’s probably just promoting the fashion stuff. She just had a runway show a few weeks ago, at New York Fashion Week, I think. So that’s probably what she’s promoting. I apologize for not having any interview excerpts yet – nothing has been released!

Below, I’ve included some photos of Gwen, Gavin and… Zuma, I think. They were in LA yesterday, and they were pap’d, as they are very often. A lot of people have noted that Gwen is a lot like Jennifer Garner – in that we always have new photos of Gwen and her family, and that maybe Gwen uses these controlled photo-ops to control her image and to famwhore herself out a bit. I don’t know… for a while, Jennifer and The Dimple Parade was making daily appearances in front of the paps, but she’s settled down quite a bit, and suddenly haven’t been any daily paparazzi-friendly outings in a few months (which makes me think that Garner can control it, you know?). Does Gwen use the same method? When there are rumors about Gavin and that transvestite, did Gwen use public outings to defuse the situation? I wasn’t paying attention. All I know is that Gwen, Gavin and the boys do get photographed a lot.

Covers courtesy of The Fashion Spot. Additional pics by Fame.

Okay, it’s crazy slow today, which is why I’m writing about these photos. Generally, I’m not one of those people who completely gushes over new photos of celebrities with their kids. Unless it involves Empress Zahara, that is. But there’s something about these photos of Gwen Stefani and Zuma that I just find enchanting. As far as paparazzi-targets go, Gwen and her kids don’t get pap’d on a daily basis like, say, Jennifer Garner and The Dimple Parade. But Gwen and the kids do get pap’d often enough that I wonder if someone is tipping off photographers. Some of these photos look like they are from a family photo shoot.

Also, I still think Gwen looks pregnant, but I guess I’m just going to have to go with “Gwen just dresses pregnant in real life.” Oh, and Zuma is friggin’ adorable. I love his little red car. You can tell it’s his favorite.

Photos courtesy of Fame.

While some celebrities spent Black Friday (and Mauve Saturday – I just made that up) shopping their collective asses off, Gwen Stefani decided to go in for some upkeep. She headed out to the nail salon… with her older son Kingston. And Kingston got to have his nails done too! A lovely shade of blue, that’s what he got. The professionally done nails are only part of Kingston’s overall look, which includes bleached blonde hair, half-shaved in some kind of retro skater-punk look that was popular with boys when I was a tween. Oh, and Kingston’s apparently as much of a clotheshorse as his mum too:

He is become quite the little fashion icon. Gwen Stefani’s handsome four-year-old son Kingston, with husband Gavin Rossdale, is taking after his fashionista mother by regularly rocking some very trendy outfits.

Just yesterday he accompanied Gwen as she ran some errands in Studio City, California wearing black skinny jeans with black bovver boots and a retro looking printed jacket. The young star-in-the-making was also sporting a new bleached and shaved hair cut.

The day before, as the family headed to Gwen’s parents house in Los Feliz to celebrate Thanksgiving, Kingston was spotted wearing some cool combat trousers with a funky red and black jumper and matching trainers.

Gwen and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale have been married since 2002 and have another son, Zuma who is two-years-old.

Gavin, 45, recently talked about his sons and how fashionable they are both becoming.

‘Kingston and Zuma each love to pick out their own clothes so my role in that has diminished,’ the Bush singer told People Magazine. ‘They are both very stylish little boys and have huge opinions on their own clothes.’

Now that the boys are getting bigger, they’re getting closer too, he said. ‘I see a difference every day in their interactions, and this is a good thing. The boys are getting along great now.’

And with trend-setting youngsters like the Beckham boys amongst his friends, Kingston is sure to continue his love of fashion.

[From The Daily Mail]

Is it wrong that Gwen seems to allow her four-year-old son to bleach his hair, get his nails done and have all of the cool clothes he wants? Eh. There are worse things, I suppose. The thing is, I don’t really think Gwen (or Gavin, for that matter) is “pushing” these style choices on Kingston. I think he’s just a stylish little dude who likes to play around with clothes and stuff.

Photos courtesy of Fame.

We generally don’t cover Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s outings, but these are newish photos of the two of them watching Roger Federer at the U.S. Open yesterday, and I found them adorable. Isn’t it weird that we never really wonder about the state of Gwen and Gavin’s relationship? They occasionally walk a red carpet, but for the most part, the photos we have of them are candids shot while they’re out with their kids, or enjoying some downtime at an event like this. They’re just so cute, and they always seem so solid. I love these photos.

They just seem so shockingly normal. I know that’s what people say about Jennifer Garner too – that they like her because she seems so normal, like your neighbor with the cute kids, but I’ve never bought it from Garner. I’m one of the few who dislikes the weekly parade of dimples from the Garner-Affleck clan, just because I get a vibe that they are, at times, forcing it. Forcing the “we’re so normal and down to earth and a big happy family” thing. Specifically, I think Garner is forcing it to promote a very family-friendly image of herself, to continue the whitewash of her past relationships. I don’t get a forced vibe from Gavin and Gwen, ever, in candid shots. Sometimes I get it from Gwen when she’s promoting something, when she’s wearing all of her gear and everything, but shen she’s dressed in her beloved track-suit/muumuus, she looks adorable. They just seem like a cool rock star couple who are really solid. I will be heartbroken if they ever split. Also: Gwen still looks pregnant to me. You think?

And of course, how could you not enjoy yourself when you’re watching Federer? I love him. He’s so f-cking cute.

Several weeks ago, WENN put up a series of photos of Gwen Stefani and added the news that she was expecting her third child. I was surprised, just because before that moment, I wasn’t aware that she had announced anything. Well, she didn’t. WENN just got the report from random sources, then put up the info like it was breaking news. Since then, most photo agencies have been on minor bump-watch, and over the weekend there were even new photos of Gwen looking bumpy. Now her rep tells E! that she’s NOT expecting:

The latest photo of Gwen Stefani cradling her midsection means nothing!

Trying to put an end to the ongoing round of bump watch, a rep for the pop queen tells E! News exclusively that Stefani is not pregnant, have no doubt about it.

Over the past week, paparazzi took notice of the singer’s baggier-than-usual clothing and tendency to carry a big bag over her belly. Which, if you look closely, probably isn’t any rounder than usual.

Stefani is already mommy to two sons, Kingston, who will be 4 this weekend, and 21-month-old Zuma, with hubby Gavin Rossdale.

[From E! News]

It’s really none of my business, and if she was pregnant, I just would have wished her well and gone along with my day. But I do find it strange that for weeks her reps were all “no comment” and now all of a sudden they’re denying it. So… she’s not pregnant. She’s just been posing for candid photos in really baggy clothes and pronounced “bump” for weeks. Did Gwen want some attention or something? Or is it our fault for raising the bump-watch flag every time a girl eats a burrito? Honestly, I’m not blaming myself. I kept seeing photos of her where she looked pregnant, and seemed to style herself as if she was carrying a bump. I didn’t run the other story until WENN “confirmed” it, so whatever. I mean, who wears these outfits in late May (in California!) when they’re NOT pregnant?

I believe this, although the report seems to made of smoke and mirrors. Star Magazine (I know) and WENN are reporting that Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale are expecting their third child together. I remember just a week or so ago, I saw some photos of Gwen and I thought “Oh, I bet she’s knocked up again.” Now that I’m looking for additional sourcing, I see that a lot of people think she’s been looking bump-y lately. Here’s what WENN says:

The pop star is already mum to sons Kingston, three, and 20-month-old Zuma and has previously expressed her desire to add another tot to her growing brood once she gets a break in her busy work schedule.

But Stefani has recently been spotted sporting a fuller figure and snaps of the No Doubt singer in New York last week (04May10) show her with what appears to be a baby bump.

An eyewitness tells Star magazine, “She was pulling at her shirt to keep it away from her body. It seemed really strange – but then, when she turned to the side, I could see why. She definitely had a baby bump!”

Stefani has also been photographed wearing a Sea-Band bracelet, usually associated with expectant mothers – as it helps to relieve morning sickness.

Stefani has been donning the accessory because the nausea she has been experiencing has been worse than ever before, reports OK! magazine.

An insider says, “Gwen is having a really rough time this pregnancy. She had all-day morning sickness for a while with Zuma, but she’s sicker this go-round and has been feeling exhausted and dizzy.”

And the couple’s publicist has failed to put a stop to the rumours. When approached about the story, the stars’ spokesman Dave Tomberlin offered WENN a firm “no comment”.

Stefani and Rossdale wed in 2002.

[From WENN]

“No comment” isn’t a “no”. So, could be. If I remember Gwen’s previous pregnancies, didn’t she start showing early? And didn’t it take forever for her to confirm those too? It could be that she and Gavin just want to wait until they’re well into the second trimester. We’ll see!

All of these photos are from May 3 through May 7:

There are so many sketchy stories today! Lord have mercy. Today we have an extra helping of Courtney Love Crazy, in addition to whatever verbal hate-f-cking is going on between her and Billy Corgan. Apparently, Courtney went on Stern yesterday and claimed that she and Gavin Rossdale were hittin’ it – when he was already dating Gwen Stefani. Now, Courtney has claimed to have had a relationship with Gavin before – back in 2006, she gave an interview where she basically claimed that Gavin was close to proposing to her, and that she dumped him to go out with Ed Norton. Ugh. Anyway, in this new interview, Courtney claims, in a convoluted way, that she and Gavin were still getting it on when he started up with Gwen, and that Gwen knows all about it:

Courtney Love claims she slept with Gavin Rossdale even though he was with Gwen Stefani. On The Howard Stern Show on Sirius XM Radio Monday, the Hole rocker, 45, said she had a “vision of marrying Gavin Rossdale one time … We were like, ‘Let’s go spend our rock star money!’”

During their eight months together, “we had a really good time…” she said. “He was lovely.”

She said she took heat because many thought Rossdale, 44, was too much like her ex, late Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain.

“Everyone gave me so much s— because Gavin sounded like a lot like Kurt….” Love said. “But man, he was such an Adonis in his day! He got good in bed … something happened. Maybe Gwen taught him, for all I know.”

Stern then asked her, “You were [having sex] him while he was with Gwen Stefani?”
“Yes,” Love replied. “She does know.”

Stern continued: “You mean he was having sex with you while he was with her?”

“Everyone … yeah … and a few other people,” Love said. “We didn’t have a lot of pressure on each other, but we did like each other quite a bit.”

Rossdale has yet to comment on Love’s claims.

This isn’t the first time Rossdale has been in a scandal. In 2004, DNA tests revealed that he has a secret lovechild. Stefani, 40, was said to be “devastated.”

The two, who wed in 2002, have two sons together: Kingston, almost 4, and Zuma, 1 1/2.

[From Us Weekly]

Yeah, I always forget that Gavin is a cheater. It’s always the quiet ones (not really, it‘s every type). I think he’s probably a nice guy, and he seems to devoted to Zuma and Kingston, and Gwen for that matter. But he probably still enjoys some strange. And it doesn’t get any more “strange” than Courtney. Or that male lover Gavin had, “Marilyn”. CB thinks Gavin just has “rock star tastes” which I think is a nice way of saying “fug looks and a disco stick don’t bother him”. CoughcoughCourtneyhasadiscostickcough.

In September, the two remaining members of Nirvana issued a statement against the use of departed lead singer Kurt Cobain’s avatar in the game Guitar Hero. There’s a function in the game that lets you “unlock” a character and have it sing any number of songs, including songs of different genres and voiced by different gender singers. Former Nirvana members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl didn’t object to the use of Kurt’s image in the game, they objected to “the character [being] used with any kind of song the player wants.” Novoselic and Grohl don’t have rights to the Cobain estate or any say in how Kurt’s image is used. Kurt’s widow Courtney Love launched a confusing rant against the licensing of Kurt’s image in the game, which she approved, and compared it to committing “necrophilai” [sic] and to “raping me and my family mother in law child.”

The band No Doubt has taken a much more sane route to ensuring that their image isn’t misused by Activision. They’re suing the company for the same issue that Love and Nirvana members were rallying against. In the new Band Hero game the Gwen Stefani avatar can sing songs in a male voice and with material they consider objectionable. They say they didn’t sign off on it at all.

Gwen Stefani is not a man and wants nothing to do with hookers — but according to a new lawsuit, Gwen claims she’s being manipulated into all sorts of manly, unGwen-like behavior for a new “Guitar Hero” video game.

The band No Doubt is suing the makers of a new game called “Band Hero” — claiming gamers were only supposed to be able to use No Doubt’s digital images to sing 3 No Doubt songs.

But in the lawsuit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, the band claims Activision “transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act” by having them “sing, dance and perform over sixty songs.”

The band is particularly pissed that Gwen Stefani’s animated image can channel a male voice to sing “Honky Tonk Woman” by the Rolling Stones … a song which contains lyrics about “having sex with prostitutes.”

The band is suing for an injuction prohibiting “the unauthorized use of the No Doubt’s name and likeness” in the game … along with an undetermined amount of damages.

UPDATE: TMZ spoke with a rep from Activision who tells us, “Activision has a written agreement to use No Doubt in Band Hero – an agreement signed by No Doubt after extensive negotiations with its representatives, who collectively have decades of experience in the entertainment industry …

… Activision believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band members in the game and that this lawsuit is without merit.”

[From TMZ]

The stuff about being able to unlock the characters was probably couched in legalese deep in the contract and I bet it wasn’t disclosed properly to the artists and their lawyers. You can understand how they would be upset to see their likeness singing songs from someone else – particularly if they’re in a voice and style that bears no resemblance to reality. It probably makes the game more interesting, though.

Here is a link to a video of what is supposed to be Gwen Stefani and No Doubt in another related game by Activision, Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock. It doesn’t look like her at all. I wasn’t able to find any screenshots of Stefani’s avatar in Band Hero, but here are links to Taylor Swift and Adam Levine’s avatars in the game and it looks just like them.

And here’s a commercial for Band Hero. It looks like a lot of fun.

No Doubt is shown performing in LA on 8/1/09. Credit: Apega/WENN

Gwen Stefani is Elle Magazine’s July cover girl, and the excerpts from her interview are pretty funny. Long gone is the hardcore chick who could play with the big boys – Gwen seems to feel strongly that her marriage to Gavin Rossdale and her two sons, Kingston and Zuma, take ultimate precedence over anything No Doubt could offer. Gwen acknowledges that she could no longer have “that relationship with them [No Doubt bandmates] anymore.” Except that she’s on tour with No Doubt right now. Oh, well. I’m sure they’re sick of her bitching too.

As for Gavin and the kids, Gwen sounds a little harried with the whole ordeal of having a family, saying “I got married and had two human beings come out of my body — plus two albums and two clothing lines that were born during the same period. I’m still nursing! I’m a little sucked dry.” She also has a funny line about how she hopes Kingston doesn’t turn into “a freak”:

On being a mother: “It’s one thing when you have an infant, but when you have this two-or three-year-old going, ‘Mommy, what’s the deal?’ it’s harder. Kingston’s whole thing is, ‘I need, I need.’ He is insane right now. We’re just hoping for the best and that he’s not going to turn out to be a freak, but we’ll see.”

On celebrity: “Obviously, I’m not anything more than I am. I’m just, like, totally normal. The fact that any of this has happened, that we’re sitting here at the Beverly Hills Hotel just gets me going, like, What?”

On leaving No Doubt: “Everybody’s making it like there’s all this new tension, you know, like I stepped away from the band and now they’re jealous of me, and look, maybe there is a little bit of that.”

On how her priorities changed from band to family: “I wasn’t even married. Now I’m a wife and a mother of two. It’s a really different role. I always referred to No Doubt as a marriage, because that’s what it’s like to be together for so long and go through what we’ve been through. I can’t really have that relationship with them anymore. My priorities are always going to be my husband and my family now. That’s a huge, huge thing.”

On her future: “I might never be able to write another song. Who knows? I did try. So here we are, going on a tour without a new record. But, then I think, what I’ve gone through is major, right? I got married and had two human beings come out of my body — plus two albums and two clothing lines that were born during the same period. I’m still nursing! I’m a little sucked dry. Like maybe once I sleep through the night, maybe I’ll be able to write a song. That’s where I’m at.”

[From Elle and US Weekly]

I can just imagine Gwen saying that “freak” line. In her defense, she was totally joking. If she was serious, I might say Kingston’s got a lifetime of therapy awaiting him. But he’ll probably turn out fine. Good enough for Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, in any case. You know what’s weird? My mother absolutely adores Gwen Stefani. She doesn’t listen to No Doubt, couldn’t name one song of Gwen’s, but she just thinks the world of Gwen. I think my mom just likes her because she thinks Kingston is such a little cutie. I have to admit, that cute little freak Kingston made me like Gwen more, too.

Gwen is shown out on 5/9/09 carrying Kingston and Zuma. Credit: WENN.com

Like Jenny Shimizu before him, rocker “Marilyn” had a same sex relationship with a high profile celebrity decades ago and is just now coming out with the news. This guy Marilyn, who favored a look like Boy George with makeup and high hair, said he was with Rossdale’s lover for five years in the early 80s and that he initially lied about it for the sake of Rossdale’s career after the news came out. He’s just coming clean to In Touch now, and calls Rossdale “the love of my life”:

With a happy marriage, two beautiful children and a romance that’s lasted more than 13 years, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale have one of rock ’n’ roll’s most stable relationships. But Gavin wasn’t always the perfect family man he is today. Back in the ’80s, he was a wild child who wore black lipstick and partied until all hours at London’s underground clubs. And the most important relationship of his life may have been with another androgynous, hard-partying man. As In Touch has learned, Gavin had a long-standing secret love affair with Marilyn — a male rocker who looked remarkably like Gwen. “He was the love of my life,” Marilyn tells In Touch.

Though Boy George broke the news of Gavin, 43, and Marilyn’s tumultuous romance in his 1995 book, Take It Like a Man, Gavin denied it, stating, “I wasn’t dating Marilyn. We were, and still are, good friends.” At the time, Marilyn denied the affair, as well. But today he says he did it only because Gavin asked him to. “He was just becoming successful in America,” Marilyn explains. “I agreed to lie against every grain of my being.” Now, Marilyn wants to set the record straight. In an exclusive interview with In Touch, the British pop icon details the love affair that spanned the early ’80s. “We were together five years,” Marilyn says. “But it felt like 40.” (Gavin’s rep denies the story.)

[From In Touch]

Why do these people come out with news of their long-over relationships with celebrities over a decade after the fact? It’s like they’re begging for some sort of validation for their relationship with a now famous person and want the notoriety that goes along with that. Maybe there’s an aspect of wanting to bring the celebrity down a peg too. “I hit that – 20 years ago.” Really, who cares? If it’s true that Marilyn is still pining for a relationship from the 80s that’s sad. Good for Rossdale for being in a committed relationship with another guy if that’s what this was, but it’s a shame that he picked someone so willing to kiss and tell, even if it took the guy an awful long time to spill the news. Rossdale’s daughter Daisy Lowe was born in 1989, from a brief relationship he had with singer Pearl Lowe, so if this is true it means that he moved on to women shortly after this relationship was over.

Header photo vie In Touch. Photo below is from 4/12/09. Credit: Fame Pictures