Gwen Stefani’s family just got a little furrier! On Thursday, the “Don’t Speak” singer and “The Voice” coach welcomed an adorable new addition to the Stefani-Shelton household—a fluffy kitten named Corn Shelton.
Gwen Stefani’s cat posted on September 26, 2024 on her Instagram stories | Source: Instagram/gwenstefani
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And yes! The cat proudly sports the last name of Stefani’s husband, Blake Shelton! The excited cat mom took to social media to share the news, posting a short, heartwarming montage of Corn’s journey to becoming the newest member of their family.
Gwen Stefani’s cat posted on September 26, 2024 on her Instagram stories | Source: Instagram/gwenstefani
Stefani revealed that the little kitten was “so sick” and “hardly alive” when he first showed up at their home. But with plenty of love and nurturing, she nursed the ailing stray back to health. “We’re so grateful that he’s a part of our family,” she wrote alongside the video, which has since been flooded with sweet fan comments.
Gwen Stefani holding a cat she rescued and welcomed at her home posted on September 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/gwenstefani i
One follower cheered on the pop star with a simple, “Good job, Gwen. ❤❤.” Another fan gushed, “Aww… kitties are adorable 🥰.” But it was a comment pointing out just how lucky Corn is to be in the Stefani-Shelton clan that stole the show, “This baby hit the jackpit [sic],”wrote an observant fan.
A fan comment dated September 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/pagesix
The love didn’t stop there—fans showered Stefani and Shelton with praise for their compassionate gesture. “This is precious, omg you guys are the best people ever 🥺❤️,” one admirer wrote.
Another user, moved by the story, shared, “Awww, this makes me so happy that you saved him and gave him LOVE …I do my best to save kitties in LA.” There were even comments like, “God led him to the right house 😉❤️,” which speaks volumes about the magical connection between Corn and his new family.
Stefani, who has always been vocal about her passion for pets, previously shared with fans the joy of welcoming new kittens into her home. In April 2023, her cat gave birth to six sweet babies, and Stefani couldn’t contain her excitement.
She posted a video of the tiny furballs bonding with their mother, alongside a sweet caption. “Our cat had 6 sweet kittens this morning, and we were all there to watch—it was such an incredible experience!! They r sooo cute[sic],” she wrote, capturing the magical moment.
Back in December 2020, Stefani showcased her fondness for cats by sporting a cat-themed outfit during the holiday season, showing her longtime appreciation for her furry friends.
With Corn’s arrival, the Stefani-Shelton household is purring with even more love. The furry family member even made a cameo in the season 26 premiere of “The Voice” on Monday night.
The episode featured a standout Blind Audition from 15-year-old Sydney Sterlace, and Gwen Stefani, who recently returned as a coach after a brief hiatus, decided to use Corn as an unconventional tactic to sway the young singer to join her team.
Gwen Stefani shows a kitten to Sydney Sterlace after her performance on “The Voice” on September 23, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Voice
As she brought the kitten on stage, reactions from viewers were mixed, with some fans praising the move while others were taken aback by the unexpected appearance.
Sterlace, a young singer from Buffalo, New York, wowed the audience and coaches with her powerful rendition of Olivia Rodrigo’s hit “Driver’s License.” The teenager delivered a performance that immediately impressed Stefani and Michael Bublé, who turned their chairs early in the audition.
Sydney Sterlace’s performing on “The Voice” on September 23, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Voice
Later, Snoop Dogg and Reba McEntire did the same. The rapper even stood to offer Sterlace a standing ovation before she finished singing. This remarkable audition put the teen in a coveted position where all four coaches were eager to have her on their team.
“The Voice” coaches: Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani and Michael Bublé, watching Sydney Sterlace perform on September 23, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Voice
Stefani kicked off her pitch by talking about her connection to Rodrigo, whom she performed with at Coachella earlier this year.
“It took me a minute to push my button because it was so unbelievably close to her tone. Now finding out that you’re 15 years old… For me, it would be all about getting to know you and how can we make your style of singing even more saturated with, Sydney” she told the young singer.
Gwen Stefani talks to Sydney Sterlace after her performance on “The Voice” on September 23, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Voice
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The “No Doubt” singer even added that “The Voice” is like a “boot camp” where she could help Sterlace grow quickly as an artist. She ended her plea by calling herself the “cool mom” the teen needed to guide her on the show.
Next up was Bublé, who spoke of his experiences working with musical legends like Tony Bennett. He urged Sterlace to embrace the artistry of learning from others.
Michael Bublé talks to Sydney Sterlace after her performance on “The Voice” on September 23, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Voice
“I got to work with my hero, Tony Bennett. I said, ‘Mr. Bennett, I’ve stolen everything from you,’ and he said, ‘You know, kid, when you steal from one person, you’re just a thief, but when you steal from everybody, you can call it research.’ And that’s what we do as artists,” Bublé explained.
Snoop Dogg came afterward, and he likened Sterlace’s singing to a spiritual experience. “You captivated me like I was in church. The way you just held control of the audience. You made me move, you made me get up,” he shared.
Snoop Dogg talks to Sydney Sterlace after her performance on “The Voice” on September 23, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Voice
The rapper also said that he was so moved by her voice he couldn’t wait for the song to end before expressing his admiration. McEntire followed and applauded the teen’s emotional maturity and her ability to connect with the audience on such a deep level.
With all four coaches vying for Sterlace’s attention, the pressure was on for the teenager to make her decision. However, Stefani unexpectedly upped the ante.
Sydney Sterlace facing the four coaches after her performance on “The Voice” on September 23, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Voice
In a move that shocked her fellow coaches and sparked controversy online, the singer brought Corn onstage. She claimed the cat had appeared on her porch and had no name. Then, she decided to call it “Sydney” after the young singer.
Stefani’s strange method appeared to charm both the contestant and the audience, with Snoop Dogg playfully calling it an “illegal use of an animal.” As a result, Sterlace chose to join Team Gwen.
Gwen Stefani shows a kitten to Sydney Sterlace after her performance on “The Voice” on September 23, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Voice
While cute, the kitten’s introduction wasn’t well-received by everyone. Many fans were quick to criticize Stefani for using it as part of her pitch. One viewer wrote, “Don’t appreciate the way Gwen manhandled that scared kitten and used it as a tactic to win a contestant.”
However, there were plenty of fans who came to Stefani’s defense. One supporter wrote, “She is an animal lover and vegan. Omg. Go complain about something else. She has cats and loves them.”
Beyond her love for cats, Stefani is also a proud mother to three sons—Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo—whom she shares with her ex-husband, Gavin Rossdale. Meanwhile, her husband, Shelton, has embraced his role as a stepfather, sharing in past interviews how much the experience has impacted him.
Kingston Rossdale, Gwen Stefani, Apollo Rossdale, Blake Shelton, and Zuma Rossdale at the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony Honoring Gwen Stefani in Hollywood, California on October 19, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
In a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, Shelton opened up about the lessons he’s learned from being a stepdad, explaining that the boys have shown him “a different kind of self-worth.”
“They’ve taught me something about myself that I never knew: I’m more than just a country singer or a goofy guy,” he said. “I’m someone they actually lean on, and that’s not a responsibility that I ever had and not something that I ever considered even being into.”
Blake Shelton speaks onstage at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 6, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Shelton reflected on how his priorities have shifted, explaining that it’s a different form of self-worth where he places himself lower on the scale, allowing the children to come before him. His comments highlight how being a stepfather has transformed his life and brought new meaning to his role in the Stefani-Shelton family.
