Gwen Stefani on Her 'Crazy Year'
Singer opens up about her year of divorce, romance and music.
— -- Gwen Stefani has had a roller-coaster year, starting with the end of her marriage to Gavin Rossdale, followed by a new romance with country star Blake Shelton and culminating with a tour for her hit album "This Is What the Truth Feels Like."
"I felt like Rocky at the top of the steps. Like, 'I did it! I'm on tour!' It was such a crazy year, and then making that record and actually being face to face with the people that loved me and supported me throughout the year and listened to the music, it was like this big exchange of love," the pop star, 46, said in an interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" airing today.
"I had this epiphany that they're a refection of my heart, because they're the people who actually listened and cared," Stefani said of her fans. "I got to meet people before the show -- like 50 people before the show every day -- and they were telling me their stories and how they related to the music. It was incredible, because I hadn't done it in like seven years."
Another thing she hadn't done before was take her three sons, Kingston, 10, Zuma, 8, and Apollo, 2, on the road with her.
Before embarking on the 28-night tour through the U.S. and Canada, Stefani told host Ellen DeGeneres she feared her boys wouldn't like life on the road.
"I was so guilty because they worked so hard at school all year and then I'm going to drag 'em around on a bus all summer, but they had the best time," she said.
It wasn't always easy, though.
"I mean, we're on a bus. It's a lot. Can you imagine three little boys on a bus after you do a show? Like, 'get to bed!'" she said. "It's exhausting, but it was fun."
Zuma even got to help his famous mom backstage.
"He had his flashlight, his headphones. He walked me on and off the stage every single night," she said. "For two hours he worked back there and he was so into it. It was way more incredible than I could have ever imagined."
Being on the road has meant Stefani had to sit out the current season of the "The Voice" with boyfriend and fellow judge Shelton.
But that didn't stop DeGeneres from asking about their future together.
"Before I make plans, tell me when you're getting married," the daytime host said. "I just need to know so I can clear that schedule."
"Oh, you're crazy," Stefani said, giggling.
"Just let me know," DeGeneres said.
"OK," Stefani promised. "I'll let you know."