In October 2020, Gwen Stefani sat across from Seth Meyers on Late Night with Seth Meyers, her signature red lipstick and infectious laugh lighting up the screen. The pop icon, known for her ska-punk roots with No Doubt and chart-topping solo hits like “Hollaback Girl,” was still reeling from an unexpected milestone: she had won a CMT Music Award for Collaborative Video of the Year with her then-boyfriend, now-husband, Blake Shelton, for their duet “Nobody But You.” “It’s inconceivable,” Stefani chuckled, admitting that before joining The Voice in 2014, she didn’t even know who Shelton, a country music titan, was. Fast forward to 2020, and the unlikely duo not only found love but also conquered the country music world together. This article explores Stefani’s remarkable journey from punk to pop to country queen, the love story that fueled their award-winning collaboration, and the cultural significance of their genre-blending success, drawing on Stefani’s Late Night interview, industry insights, and the impact of “Nobody But You.”

From Ska to Stardom: Gwen Stefani’s Musical Evolution

Gwen Stefani’s career is a testament to reinvention. Born in Fullerton, California, in 1969, she rose to fame as the frontwoman of No Doubt, whose 1995 album Tragic Kingdom sold over 16 million copies worldwide, driven by hits like “Don’t Speak” and “Just a Girl.” Stefani’s ska-punk energy, bold fashion, and raw vulnerability made her a 90s icon. By 2004, she launched a solo career with Love. Angel. Music. Baby., blending pop, R&B, and dancehall in tracks like “What You Waiting For?” and “Rich Girl.” Her eclectic style and unapologetic individuality cemented her as a pop culture force, earning her three Grammy nominations and a global fanbase.

Despite her versatility, country music was uncharted territory. Stefani’s only brush with the genre came through her friendship with Sheryl Crow, as she mentioned in a 2020 Entertainment Tonight interview. Her punk-pop aesthetic—platinum hair, midriff-baring tops, and urban edge—seemed worlds apart from Nashville’s cowboy boots and twang. Yet, Stefani’s openness to new sounds and her willingness to take risks set the stage for her unexpected dive into country. “I’ve always been about pushing boundaries,” she told Meyers, reflecting on her 25-year career. That boundary-pushing led her to The Voice, where her life—and music—would change forever.

Meeting Blake Shelton: An Unlikely Love Story

Stefani’s appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers in October 2020 was a celebration of two milestones: the 25th anniversary of Tragic Kingdom and her CMT win with Shelton. But the heart of the interview was her candid admission: “I didn’t know Blake Shelton existed before The Voice.” When she joined the show’s seventh season in 2014, Stefani was a pop star navigating a painful divorce from Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, with whom she shares three sons. Shelton, meanwhile, was a country music superstar reeling from his split with Miranda Lambert. Their paths crossed as coaches, but Stefani was initially oblivious to Shelton’s fame. “He’s literally one of the biggest country stars, and I was like, ‘Who’s this guy?’” she laughed to Meyers.

Their bond formed slowly. Shelton later told Martina McBride on her Vocal Points podcast that during Stefani’s first season, they barely connected because she was preoccupied with her newborn son, Apollo. But by 2015, during The Voice’s ninth season, their shared experiences of heartbreak sparked a friendship. “We found each other at a very low point,” Shelton told The Good Dish in 2022, crediting Stefani with pulling him from “the absolute bottom.” Their romance went public in November 2015, surprising fans of both genres. “It’s inconceivable that we’d even know each other, let alone be friends, let alone do music together,” Stefani told Meyers, marveling at their opposites-attract dynamic.

The couple’s chemistry extended to music. Their first duet, “Go Ahead and Break My Heart,” debuted in 2016, followed by “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” in 2017 and “Happy Anywhere” in 2020. But it was “Nobody But You,” released in December 2019 as part of Shelton’s Fully Loaded: God’s Country album, that became their defining collaboration. Written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne, and Tommy Lee James, the song captured their real-life love story, with lyrics like, “I don’t wanna live without you / I don’t wanna even breathe.” Shelton insisted Stefani join him on the track, telling People in 2020, “It needed Gwen on it—because it is our song.” The Sophie Muller-directed video, filmed in Los Angeles and at Shelton’s Oklahoma ranch, showcased their intimacy, from cozy couch moments to late-night diner dates, amassing over 45 million YouTube views.

The CMT Win: A “Shock” for Stefani

The 2020 CMT Music Awards, held virtually on October 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were a fan-voted celebration of country music’s best videos. “Nobody But You” faced stiff competition, including Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber’s “10,000 Hours,” Carly Pearce and Lee Brice’s “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and Thomas Rhett with Jon Pardi’s “Beer Can’t Fix.” When co-host Sarah Hyland announced Shelton and Stefani’s win for Collaborative Video of the Year, the couple, accepting via video from home, erupted in joy. “This is absolutely unbelievable,” Shelton said, hugging Stefani, who wore a camo corset top and her trademark red lipstick. “I told Gwen, ‘I don’t know what our chances of beating Justin Bieber are,’ but here we are!”

Stefani’s reaction was pure disbelief. “My gosh, I can’t believe it. Country music! What is happening with my life?” she exclaimed during their acceptance speech. On Late Night, she elaborated, telling Meyers, “When you say that [I won a CMT Award], I get shocked.” For a pop star with no prior country credentials, the win was a surreal validation. “I’ve learned so much from Blake,” she told Meyers, crediting him for introducing her to the genre’s storytelling and authenticity. Shelton, a nine-time CMT winner, posted on Instagram, “It goes without saying that this is truly a special win for not only myself but @gwenstefani!” The victory marked Stefani’s first CMT Award and Shelton’s second in the collaborative category, following his 2010 win with Trace Adkins for “Hillbilly Bone.”

The win resonated beyond the trophy—a belt buckle, as Shelton jokingly told Entertainment Tonight. It symbolized the couple’s ability to bridge genres and defy expectations. “This is a crazy pairing in lots of different ways, but it’s working,” Shelton said in their acceptance speech, a sentiment echoed by fans on X, where one user wrote, “Gwen and Blake are proof love and music know no boundaries.” The song’s success also propelled Stefani to the top of country charts, a feat she found “inconceivable” given her ska-punk roots.

How Did This Mashup Happen?

Stefani and Shelton’s journey to CMT glory was a blend of personal connection, musical risk-taking, and cultural timing. Their love story, born from shared vulnerability, gave “Nobody But You” an authenticity that resonated with fans. As Stefani told Extra in 2020, “People say ‘husband’ about him, and it’s pretty cute,” reflecting how their relationship captivated audiences. Their contrasting styles—her urban edge and his rural charm—created a unique alchemy. “We’re the same even with music,” Stefani told Meyers, noting their shared passion for honest storytelling despite different genres.

The collaboration also tapped into a broader trend of genre-blending in country music. Artists like Dan + Shay and Kane Brown were experimenting with pop and hip-hop, making Nashville more receptive to outsiders like Stefani. The CMT Awards, being fan-voted, rewarded the couple’s cross-genre appeal, as Shelton emphasized in his speech: “Fan-voted awards are the only stand-up award shows left.” The video’s intimate visuals, blending Hollywood glamour with Oklahoma’s rustic charm, further broadened its appeal, as noted by Country Now.

Stefani’s transition to country wasn’t without skeptics. Some purists, as seen in 2023 CMT Awards reactions on Instagram, argued she didn’t belong, with one fan calling her performance of No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” a “disgrace” to country. Yet, her authenticity and willingness to learn from Shelton won over many. “She’s never been trapped in a box,” a fan tweeted after her 2020 nomination, celebrating her versatility. The win validated her place in country, even if she remained a pop icon at heart.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

“Nobody But You” and its CMT win marked a cultural moment, showcasing the power of love and collaboration to transcend genres. The song’s success—over 3.5 million streams by January 2020—paved the way for more duets, like 2021’s “We Can Reach the Stars,” performed at their wedding. The couple’s 2023 CMT Awards appearance, where they performed and walked the red carpet hand-in-hand, reinforced their status as a beloved power couple. Stefani’s Late Night interview captured her humility and humor, endearing her to fans across genres.

Their story also highlighted The Voice’s role as a cultural connector, bringing together artists like Stefani and Shelton, who met on its set in 2014. Shelton, who left the show in 2023 after 23 seasons, called it “home” in a statement to People, while Stefani’s win underscored her growth from pop star to country collaborator. The CMT win, as Variety noted, was a testament to fan-driven awards, with Shelton and Stefani’s domestic “fireside tranquility” during their acceptance speech resonating deeply.

An Inconceivable Triumph

Gwen Stefani’s journey from not knowing Blake Shelton to winning a CMT Award with him is a story of love, risk, and reinvention. “It’s inconceivable,” she laughed on Late Night with Seth Meyers, capturing the surreal joy of their shared success. From punk to pop to country queen, Stefani’s evolution, fueled by her romance with Shelton, proves music knows no boundaries. “Nobody But You” wasn’t just a hit—it was a love letter that brought two worlds together, earning a belt buckle and a place in country music history. As Stefani told Meyers, “I’ve learned so much from Blake,” and fans have learned that when love and music collide, the result is magic.