Gwen Stefani Faces Backlash After Promoting Controversial Prayer App with Anti-Abortion Ties
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Gwen Stefani has found herself at the center of a social media firestorm after promoting Hallow, a Catholic prayer and meditation app known for its anti-abortion stance, on her Instagram account. The promotion, which launched on December 1, featured Stefani encouraging her followers to participate in the app’s Advent Challenge by praying daily throughout the Advent and Christmas season. “It is important this holiday season to spend time in prayer,” Stefani said in the ad, “that is what Christmas is all about, letting God into our hearts and letting Jesus bring us his peace.”
While the ad was intended to inspire spiritual reflection during the holidays, it quickly sparked widespread criticism from fans and fellow celebrities alike. Many expressed disappointment, pointing to the app’s association with conservative figures such as billionaire Peter Thiel and political supporter JD Vance, both known for their anti-abortion advocacy. One Instagram user wrote, “This is very disappointing, Gwen. Lots of your fans are from the LGBTQ+ community and this feels like a deep betrayal.” Another commented, “Wtf happened to you,” while others nostalgically questioned, “Remember when Gwen was cool?”
Content creator and activist Matt Bernstein amplified the backlash by posting a video denouncing Stefani’s endorsement, captioning it, “this IS bananas. b-a-n-a-n-a-s.” The post resonated widely, drawing supportive comments from celebrities including Chrishell Stause of Selling Sunset, who cleverly referenced Stefani’s 1995 hit “Don’t Speak” with the plea, “Gwen-DON’T SPEAK. Please take your own advice on this one.” Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty, also expressed gratitude for Bernstein’s post, commenting, “Thank you for sharing this!!”
BuzzFeed confirmed that notable figures such as Olivia Cooke, Julia Fox, Melanie Lynskey, Busy Philipps, Ava Phillippe, and Jonathan Van Ness liked Bernstein’s video, signaling broad disapproval within the entertainment community. Despite the growing controversy, Stefani has not publicly addressed the backlash. BuzzFeed has reached out to her representatives for comment.
Hallow’s CEO and co-founder Alex Jones has previously defended the app’s anti-abortion position. In a 2023 statement, Jones affirmed, “Hallow stands proudly and unequivocally in support of all Catholic Church teaching, especially the pro-life stance of the Church and the USCCB’s affirmation of the end of abortion as the preeminent priority.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has long been a vocal advocate for pro-life policies, emphasizing the sanctity of life in accordance with Catholic doctrine.
The controversy surrounding Stefani’s promotion of Hallow highlights the increasingly fraught intersection of celebrity influence, faith-based initiatives, and polarizing social issues such as abortion rights. As public figures weigh the impact of their endorsements, the response to Stefani’s ad underscores the sensitivity and division that remain pervasive in American discourse.
For those interested in the broader context of faith-based apps and their societal implications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Communications Commission provide regulatory oversight on digital platforms, although content and messaging related to social issues often remain outside their purview.
As the debate continues, the conversation around Stefani’s endorsement serves as a reminder of how celebrity actions can reverberate far beyond their intended audience, igniting dialogue on deeply held beliefs and community values.
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