My opinion: Despite the fact that Gwen Stefani consistently works the media to her advantage, she somehow manages to avoid looking like a famewhore, or that she’s manipulating public opinion in her favor. I have no idea how she manages to avoid those labels – “famewhore” or “media manipulator” – but I get the feeling that the general public opinion of Gwen is “I like her. She’s not my favorite celebrity but I like her.” So, she moves throughout the industry very effectively. Whenever there are weird or bad rumors about her marriage, she and Gavin Rossdale step out with their kids, and all the tabloids get are lots and lots of happy-family images. Gwen never complains about the spotlight and she never trashes anyone publicly. She’s never really talked in depth about all of the rumors about her marriage, and maybe she never will say anything beyond “we’re fine” or “marriage is hard but you have to power through.” So on that too, it’s impossible to “tag” her for hypocrisy really. Maybe Gwen is truly the master of all manipulation – she makes it look so easy!
Anyway, why did I just go off on all of that? Oh, right. In Touch Weekly reports that Gwen and Gavin were seen leaving a couples therapy session, and that Gavin has been away from the family for extended periods of time. I suspect that this will be yet another report that Gwen “officially” ignores but in a few days, she and Gavin will be photographed with their kids looking like a perfectly happy family:
Another Hollywood marriage is in trouble. In Touch can exclusively reveal that on Oct. 8, a visibly upset Gwen Stefani, 43, left a couples therapy session in LA with husband Gavin Rossdale, 46.
“Over the past two years they’ve spent less and less time together,” a source close to the couple tells the new issue of In Touch, on newsstands now.
Although the pair have denied they’re splitting, the source reveals, “They used to be affectionate with each other and laugh a lot. That never happens anymore.”
The couple’s troubles stem from the Bush front man’s busy tour schedule, which prevents Gavin from spending time with his wife and their sons, Kingston, 6, and Zuma, 4.
“There were months where he wouldn’t even be at the house,” says the source.
Yeah… I’ve got to defend them while at the same time acknowledging that I would totally believe that they could split up at some point. First, Gavin and Gwen are both rebooting their music careers, Gavin with Bush and Gwen with No Doubt. They’re going to be apart more and more. It happens, and it happens a lot with touring artists. As for the couples therapy… if they are going, it’s not necessarily a sign of something awful. Robert Downey Jr. and Susan go to couples therapy all the time, and I consider them one of the strongest couples in Hollywood.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
If they are both going to see a marriage counselor instead of straight to the courthouse then I can’t question their level of commitment to making this work. Even if it doesn’t work out in the end, you know they at least tried to make it work. But I think they are a solid couple who will endure despite any rumors or issues that arise. Gavin seems fine being Mrs. Stefani and both seem to get a certain level of privacy to their personal lives. They seem relatively normal compared to a lot of other big time celebs.
I agree…it’s so easy to throw in the towel, at least they are trying to work things out.
My husband and I go to counseling monthly. We’re incredibly happy, but we recognize that marriage is hard, hard work – and our counselor helps us wade through the mire very effectively.
But our counselor did tell you something that has stuck with me – most of the couples she sees are already too far gone to share. Her take is that most couples in crisis are working to figure out how to break up.
If that’s the case with these two, I hope that their counseling sessions help them work on coparenting, at least.
I wish my husband would go to couples therapy with me! He is completely against it.
But back to them, I don’t think seeing a therapist once in awhile is a red flag in your relationship. Sometimes you need that unbiased opinion when it comes to working out long term issues.When you have been with someone for several years, you’re going to have problems that arise and that’s completely normal.
I remember an interview where she said her proudest accomplishment is her marriage. Which makes me think they’ve probably always had to put in some work. I think they love each other if they work hard to keep their marriage a happy one, and couples therapy is probably just part of that, I don’t think therapy necessarily equals an unhappy marriage
They have been together forever 15 years or so right? And they’ve survived alot (at least Gwen put up with alot). So Yeah I buy that they are in therapy but I also think they will fight to keep their marriage.
Well at least they are working things out instead of giving up quickly like most couple nowadays…
Kaiser you got this one spot on. She is smart because she has avoided being called a ‘famewhore’all these years when she really is one. Most people do like her. But for me she went to far when she went solo in her music career, and then she did that horrible perfume commercial. Her marriage was always troubled. She strikes me as one of those women who ‘stands by her man’ eventhough he is an ass.. She is a ‘hollaback’ girl and has a lot of pride. She believes that she lives in a fairytale land and will not admit that her life is not perfect.
Wow your obvously not a fan and dont listen to her music. She has never pretended her life is perfect, her lyrics are filled with the doubt she feels about her marriage, how she isnt ‘perfect’. Stop judging people you dont even know. Loser!
Dear Steph,
Thank you!
She has made some very strange statements about how she must look a certain way , for her husband. Never w/o her make-up. I think she said he’s never seen her w/o it. Or something like that. She maintains her looks, all for him, so she says. But to me that sounded sad. How dare he even think to make her feel that way about herself! Like he would leave if she ever gained a pound or got a pimple. he dumped her before, she went into a tail spin then. If anybody leaves, it will be him. She would never ever leave Gavin. Nope. I love her and hope this isn’t true, but in Hollywood, it probably is. & she has recently struggled with trying to have another baby too, thats a sign of trouble sometimes. He is still amazing looking and may be thinking he wants a younger model. They all do. He can’t do better than her , but he might be willing to try. Love her, and hope all is well. But “Doubt” it.
I understand he is a ‘rock star’ or whatever but he always looks so utterly ridiculous
I guess I’m a hick or something, but I am not aware of ever hearing any Bush or Gavin music. So – only having to go by things I’ve read and his pics, I’m extremely UNDERWHELMED by him. On the other hand, Gwen is practically a girl crush of mine. I keep saying to myself, “GWEN!!! REALLY?????!!! I don’t understand!!
@Roxy I remember the statements you are discussing. I believe she said SHE wouldn’t let him see her w/out makeup and how she always wanted to look good for him. Plus, I think she said it before the kids or immediately after baby #1. I think it says a lot about her own insecurities than him. I think for a long time she was insecure but I think she’s toned it down since having the kids.
Just like everyone could probably benefit from seeing a shrink regularly I think most marriages could benefit from counseling. Worked for my parents and I think it shows commitment by them both to make it work. I love this family and Gwen seems like one of those rare celebs who had so much fame and success but never got spoiled by it. And their family is adorable!
He’s yum in a way.
They live in a world of crazy. Lots of influences that are not good for a marriage.
So I can understand having a regular therapist.
LA is a crazy place to try to have a decent high profile marriage.
But I agree that Gwen is not going anywhere. She has weather some f*ckup things with this man. And she made her mind up a long time ago to accept it and move on.
I am also curious if she made a point to get her self a pre-nup before the marriage.
My take on their relationship is that Gwen makes it work by giving Gavin total free rein, including turning a blind eye when he screws around. Plus Gavin’s past periodically bites him in the ass, like when Gwen suddenly discovered she had a stepdaughter.
If they’re in the therapy, Gwen must be getting fed up with being a doormat. That doesn’t bode well for their marriage, because I don’t think Gavin will ever change.
Or when it emerged that he’d been in a 5 year relationship with a man.
If rhea and danny couldn’t make it can these two?
how do they both manage to look at least a decade younger? I hope they work things out. cute couple, lovely family.
“Gwen never complains about the spotlight and she never trashes anyone publicly. She’s never really talked in depth about all of the rumors about her marriage…”
Very well said. It is truly a rare individual who does not trash anyone publicly, who doesn’t air their dirty laundry.
I like them, I hope they are ok.
I hope they work things out. Their problems seems long brewing.
Well, put me in the camp of not particularly liking her. I can’t remember specifics, but I remember her making some surreally anti-feminist statements (something like, “of course I changed my name when I got married, because I love him.”).
I wonder what she uses for her skin because all that makeup is awful! I especilaly hate lipstick, it dries my lips out even the BEST kind.
I love gavin and am a HUGE bush fan and I must say, I always felt like Gwen was this clingy, insecure girl. I coul dbe wrong, I mean I don’t know her, but that’s how she has come off to me in interviews etc. Anyone else feel this way?
i hope they can work it out bc they’re both nice people imo…but either way, i wish them and their family well. the important thing is they’re happy and the kids are ok.