In the heart of Oklahoma’s rolling plains, where the air hums with country melodies and the spirit of music runs deep, Blake Shelton stands as a proud stepfather, marveling at the talents of his stepsons, Kingston and Zuma Rossdale. The 18- and 16-year-old sons of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale are stepping into the spotlight, carving their own paths in a musical legacy shaped by their parents’ iconic careers. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, published May 10, 2025, Shelton opened up about watching Kingston and Zuma confidently take the stage at his Ole Red bar in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, embracing genres from country to classic rock. “They have three professional musicians in their life,” Shelton said, referring to himself, Stefani, and Rossdale. “They’ve grown up watching us, but man, I sure wasn’t that calm when I first got onstage.” As Kingston channels his father’s rock roots and Zuma leans into country tunes alongside his stepdad, Shelton’s pride is palpable. How is this blended musical family shaping the next generation of stars? Let’s dive into their story.

A Blended Family Bound by Music

Blake Shelton, 49, and Gwen Stefani, 55, have been a power couple since meeting on The Voice in 2014, their bond forged through shared heartbreak after divorces from Miranda Lambert and Gavin Rossdale, respectively. Married in 2021 at Shelton’s 1,300-acre Tishomingo ranch, they’ve built a life split between Los Angeles and Oklahoma, raising Stefani’s three sons—Kingston, 19, Zuma, 16, and Apollo, 11—with Rossdale, the frontman of Bush. Shelton, who asked the boys’ permission before proposing to Stefani in 2020, has embraced his role as stepdad with warmth, earning praise as an “amazing partner and great extra dad,” according to a People source.

Music is the heartbeat of their household. Stefani, a No Doubt legend turned pop icon, and Shelton, a country superstar with hits like “Austin” and “God’s Country,” have created a creative haven for the boys. Rossdale, 59, whose band defined ‘90s alt-rock with songs like “Glycerine,” remains an active co-parent, fostering the boys’ musical interests. In a May 2025 interview with People, Shelton reflected on the unique dynamic: “They’ve got Gwen’s punk-pop energy, Gavin’s rock edge, and somehow, Zuma’s picked up my country twang. It’s wild to see.” The boys, raised watching their parents perform to packed arenas, have absorbed stagecraft from an early age, giving them a confidence Shelton admits he envied as a young performer.

Kingston and Zuma: Emerging Talents

Kingston, now 19, is carving a path in classic rock, echoing his father’s influence. With a penchant for songwriting, he’s been honing his craft in a Logic studio Shelton gifted him, learning the recording process. In April 2025, Kingston performed at Ole Red, delivering a raw, guitar-driven set that drew cheers from locals. “He’s got Gavin’s intensity,” Shelton told People, “but he’s writing stuff that’s all his own.” Fans on X noted Kingston’s stage presence, with one user posting, “Kingston Rossdale is a rock star in the making—those vocals are pure Bush!” His performances, often shared on Stefani’s Instagram, show a young artist unafraid to experiment, blending retro rock with modern flair.

Zuma, 16, has taken a different route, gravitating toward country music—a nod to his stepdad’s influence. In June 2025, he took the stage at Ole Red, strumming a guitar in a cowboy hat that mirrored Shelton’s signature look. A photo from Stefani’s Father’s Day post, showing Zuma and Shelton in matching cowboy outfits, went viral, with NBC calling it a “twinning moment.” Shelton, speaking to Geo.tv, said, “I never try to force it, but Zuma’s got a natural affinity for country. He’s picking up chords I struggled with at his age.” Zuma’s bluesy-country covers, including a rendition of Shelton’s “Ol’ Red,” have sparked speculation about a potential family duet, though Shelton insists he’s happy with his Gwen collaborations for now.

Both boys, raised on the sidelines of their parents’ tours, exhibit a poise that Shelton attributes to their upbringing. “They’ve been standing on the side of stages their whole lives,” he told People. “They know how to be out there, calm and cool—something I never had early on.” This ease, coupled with their musical pedigree, has fans buzzing about a possible Rossdale-Shelton-Stefani family band, though Shelton laughs off the idea: “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. They’re finding their own sound.”

Shelton’s Pride and Personal Reflection

Shelton’s pride in Kingston and Zuma is evident, but it’s tempered by humility. In the People interview, he admitted feeling outshone by their confidence. “I was a nervous wreck at 16, sweating through my boots onstage,” he said. “These kids just walk out like they own it.” His role as stepdad has transformed him, a sentiment he echoed to Access Hollywood in 2024: “Being a stepdad has changed me in every possible way.” He credits Stefani’s sons for teaching him patience and perspective, noting that their musical talents make him feel like a mentor as much as a father figure.

Shelton’s Oklahoma ranch, where the family spends summers, has been a crucible for the boys’ growth. The 1,300-acre property, site of his and Stefani’s 2021 wedding, is where Kingston and Zuma have jammed with Shelton, fished, and even driven his late father’s rusted truck, which Zuma begged to keep. Stefani shared a June 2025 Instagram video of the family baking bread and picking flowers, highlighting their bond. “It’s not just music,” Shelton told Entertainment Tonight. “It’s the life we’re building together in Oklahoma.”

The boys’ musical pursuits also reflect their parents’ collaborative spirit. Shelton and Stefani’s duets, like “Nobody But You” and “Hangin’ On” from his 2025 album For Recreational Use Only, have set a high bar. Kingston and Zuma, exposed to their parents’ creative process—Shelton described to People how they “walk around the house singing” duets—have absorbed this dynamic. Rossdale, too, remains a key influence, with Kingston’s rock leanings mirroring his father’s Bush sound, while Zuma’s country bent surprises even him. “Gavin’s cool with it,” Shelton told HELLO!, noting their cordial co-parenting.

A Twist of Fate: The Ole Red Moment

A poignant moment in June 2025 underscored the family’s musical legacy. During Zuma’s Ole Red performance, a last-minute power outage plunged the bar into darkness. Undeterred, Zuma grabbed an acoustic guitar and led the crowd in an impromptu sing-along of “God’s Country,” with Shelton joining in from the sidelines. The moment, captured by a fan and shared on X, went viral, with users calling it “a passing of the torch.” Shelton, visibly emotional, later told Geo.tv, “That kid’s got heart. He didn’t miss a beat.” The incident, unplanned yet perfect, highlighted Zuma’s natural stage presence and Shelton’s mentorship, cementing their bond.

Kingston, too, had his moment. At an April 2025 Ole Red show, he debuted an original song, “Echoes,” which fans speculated was inspired by Rossdale’s introspective lyrics. Shelton, who rallied his 7 million followers to attend, posted on X, “Proud of this kid. He’s got something special.” The performance drew comparisons to a young Gavin, with HELLO! noting Kingston’s “raw, unpolished energy.” These moments, small but significant, signal the boys’ readiness to carry their parents’ legacy forward.

Public Reaction and Cultural Impact

The public’s response to Kingston and Zuma’s performances has been electric. On X, fans celebrated their talent, with posts like, “Zuma’s country vibe is giving mini-Blake vibes!” and “Kingston’s got Gavin’s soul—watch out, rock world!” Critics, however, have questioned whether the boys’ opportunities stem from privilege, with The Daily Mail suggesting their Ole Red gigs were “handed to them.” Shelton dismissed such claims, telling People, “They’re working for it. Talent’s only half the battle—heart’s the rest.”

The boys’ rise reflects a broader trend of celebrity offspring entering the spotlight, from Miley Cyrus to Lennon Gallagher. Yet, their authenticity—Kingston’s gritty rock, Zuma’s earnest country—sets them apart. Newsweek praised their “organic” approach, noting that their parents’ guidance avoids the pitfalls of stage-managed fame. Stefani’s June 2025 Father’s Day post, showing Shelton and Zuma in cowboy hats, reinforced their bond, with fans commenting, “This family is music royalty.”

A Legacy in the Making

As The Waterfront Season 2 looms on Netflix, where Shelton serves as an executive producer, and Stefani prepares for a No Doubt reunion tour, the family’s creative output is at an all-time high. Kingston and Zuma, mentored by three musical giants, are poised to make their mark. Shelton, reflecting on their future, told Entertainment Tonight, “I don’t care what genre they pick—rock, country, whatever. I just want them to love it like we do.”

In Tishomingo, where guitars strum and dreams take root, Shelton watches his stepsons with a pride that transcends blood. Kingston’s rock anthems and Zuma’s country chords are more than performances—they’re a continuation of a legacy built on passion, resilience, and family. As one X user put it, “The Rossdale-Shelton-Stefani dynasty is just getting started.” With the stage set and the world watching, Kingston and Zuma are ready to shine, proving that in this musical family, talent runs as deep as love.