Just a Girl...actually Gwen Stafani

 Did you know that Gwen Stefani is 52 years old and 5’ 6” tall? It’s hard to believe watching her dance all over the stage during her two-hour concert last night. I was lucky enough to see her perform during her last week of residency at the Zappos Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the same theater that Britney Spears performed in not so long ago. I hope Britney returns at some point. I would love to see her live again. I was lucky enough to see Brtiney in concert twice in The Netherlands long ago. 

Anyways, back to Gwen. I was not surprised that it was a full house. The audience was dressed in different costumes from Gwen’s long career. The mosh crowd at the front of the stage had been waiting outside the theater for hours with homemade signs trying to get closer to the icon. It was worth the wait for the lucky few who Gwen chose to climb up on stage. Gwen bantered with them in a playful way as she directed them where to stand socially distant and kept saying, “I don’t want to get Covid.” Gwen finally hugged a fan who bowed at her feet and said thank you. 

Gwen sang while dancing up and down countless stairs in high-heeled boots. There were so many set and costume changes that I lost track. My friend who takes voice lessons said that Gwen pronounces her vowels in a way that saves her vocal cords. 

Gwen shared a variety of childhood and career photos in a slide show during one of her songs. She started singing with her older brother John in the band “No Doubt” in 1986. Gwen grew up in Orange County, CA., and stayed near home her whole life. Gwen is from a big Italian family and still celebrates with them on holidays. I follow her Instagram. Gwen sang both of her first songs that led her to fame, “What You Waiting For” and “Hollaback Girl.”

She never mentioned her husband Blake or her three sons during the concert. Gwen sang her hit song, “Used to Love You” with lyrics about her ex-husband. Fans shouted out asking where is your husband? In past concerts, Blake has been known to show up and surprise her on stage. I read that Gwen flies back and forth to LA on a private jet so that she can be home to see her children before they go to school on weekdays. I also read that Blake and Gwen bought a new house together north of LA after they got married. Now they are singing duets which are so sweet.

The crowd was happy as they sipped wine from glitter green plastic cups that said “GWEN.” There were also Gwen Shirts for sale and many of her concert costumes displayed in the lobby. The funniest song of the evening was when she asked the men in the audience to sing along with her, “I’m just a girl.” The men were shouting the lyrics to please Gwen. She certainly knows how to 'work a crowd.' Ms. Stafani got a standing ovation from the crowd and now I am a bigger fan than ever! Viva Gwen!