Critics slam Gwen Stefani for backing Catholic prayer app that promotes pro-life stance
Gwen Stefani’s spiritual side is sparking serious debate after she publicly endorsed a controversial Catholic meditation app.
The No Doubt lead singer and longtime Catholic has received a flood of criticism online for partnering with Hallow, a prayer app that unapologetically supports a pro-life message and charges users for its services, as The Independent reports.
The 56-year-old artist posted a video on social media encouraging fans to join her in using the Hallow app for prayer and reflection during Advent and Christmas, reigniting tensions from an earlier collaboration during Lent.
Outrage Over Faith-Based Endorsement
In her message, Stefani expressed the importance of prayer in the holiday season, saying, “The season of Advent has always been a reminder to slow down, even when everything around us is moving so fast.” She invited followers to download the app and participate in a campaign called Be Still.
This isn’t the first time Stefani has collaborated with Hallow. Her 2024 Lent campaign drew similar disapproval when she shared personal struggles and a return to faith as reasons behind her spiritual journey.
The latest push struck a nerve again—not because of prayer, but due to Hallow's unflinching pro-life posture and the app’s paid subscription, which some critics see as monetizing religious devotion.
App’s Pro-Life Stance at the Center
Fueling the backlash is a statement from Hallow CEO Alex Jones, who reaffirmed the company “proudly and unequivocally” aligns with the Catholic Church's staunch opposition to abortion.
Jones has defended Hallow’s varied celebrity partnerships, including ones with actors like Chris Pratt and Mark Wahlberg, saying the goal is to reach people who have “fallen away” from the faith.
Still, critics weren’t buying it. Stefani's latest campaign drew celebrity backlash, including from star Chrishell Stause, who posted: “Gwen-DON’T SPEAK. Please take your own advice on this one.”
LGBTQ+ Fans Feel Alienated
Some of Stefani’s longtime supporters, especially from the LGBTQ+ community, said they felt betrayed by her association with an app so closely tied to traditional Catholic doctrine.
Comments ranged from disappointment to disbelief, with one user writing, “Honestly never thought that you would be anti-abortion,” while another said, “Lots of your fans are from the LGBTQ+ community and this feels like a deep betrayal.”
Others took aim at the app’s paywall, sarcastically noting, “God is free, Gwen,” and calling the concept “pay for pray.”
Faith, Fame, and Cultural Clashes
Despite the uproar, Stefani’s intentions seem straightforward. “It is important this holiday season to spend time in prayer,” she said in her video, explaining that Advent is about making room in one’s heart for peace and Christ.
Her critics, however, aren’t taking issue with private faith but with what they interpret as backing an organization tied to divisive issues, chiefly abortion and traditional morality.
This is where the culture clash intensifies: for some, a celebrity using her platform to promote prayer is uplifting. For others, it’s an unwanted reminder that not every public figure aligns with progressive values.
Hallowed Ground or Troubled Waters?
To Hallow’s credit, their strategy has always embraced a wide net. Even actor Liam Neeson, publicly pro-choice, joined a campaign, resulting in heat from the other side of the aisle—conservative Catholics.
As Jones emphasized, Hallow aims to reconnect people with Christ, whether through conventional channels or star power. In today’s cultural climate, that means taking the blowback right along with the blessings.
Gwen Stefani, set to reunite with No Doubt in May 2026, hasn’t responded publicly to the backlash as of yet. The Independent confirmed it reached out to her representatives for comment.



