Gwen Stefani’s shady reaction to ‘Voice’ contestant: ‘Some of those ’90s songs are like a trigger for me’
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On Tuesday’s night two of The Voice Season 19’s Blind Auditions, when 36-year-old rocker dad Aaron Scott belted out a faithful cover of Fuel’s monster hit “Hemorrhage (In My Hands),” Blake Shelton and John Legend were impressed with his professional pipes. The two coaches even amusingly engaged in a bit of a grunting “Hemorrhage”-off, as they competed to recruit Aaron.
But surprisingly, the two pop-rockers on the panel, Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson, didn’t turn around — and Gwen claimed to not even recognize the song, even though it had gone all the way to No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and to No. 2 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
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Gwen Stefani reacts to Aaron Scott’s performance on ‘The Voice.’ (Photo: NBC)
“I’ve got to be honest, some of those ’90s songs are like a trigger for me. I probably have to go see my therapist after that, so thank you,” Gwen quipped, before declining to comment on Aaron’s retro-rawk performance at all. “I will just have a drink,” she joked, as she let Kelly speak instead, while Aaron sheepishly replied, “Sorry about that!”
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“Hemorrhage” technically came out in 2000, but Gwen’s point was well taken: This seemed like a subtle dig at her ’90s-rock-star ex, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, with whom she acrimoniously split in 2015.
While Gwen hasn’t totally distanced herself from her ’90s past — on Monday, after The Voice premiere, she went on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and cheerfully discussed the 25th anniversary of No Doubt’s landmark 1995 album, Tragic Kingdom — she recently Photoshopped her current boyfriend and Voice co-star Blake into a ’90s-throwback photo of her and Gavin. And Gwen’s sound has certainly evolved from anything remotely resembling ’90s rock: Her latest hit is a country duet with Blake, “Nobody But You,” which is nominated for Collaborative Video of the Year at this week’s CMT Music Awards.
Gwen’s remark didn’t go unnoticed by some diehard fans, who took to Twitter to comment on her perceived shade (or lack of Fuel knowledge) and express their sympathy.
Don’t cover 90s rock songs in front of Gwen Stefani! Girl’s still trying to heal! How could you, man? #TheVoice
— shannon (@attilathehoneyb) October 21, 2020
Baby gwen was triggered aweee pic.twitter.com/NiW8EQAIM5
— Bea / YO APRUEBO 🌺 (@RocketShip726) October 21, 2020
Gwen saying I’m triggered I’m going to have to see my therapist 💀
— 💗Em💗 (@gwengxblake) October 21, 2020
I’m mad Gwen and Kelly didn’t know ‘hemorrhage’—like wth #TheVoice
— Michael Beezy (@getlikeme1823) October 21, 2020
Sorry Gwen, that song by Fuel came out in 2000. Close enough though 🤣 #TheVoice
— Drew (@JustRollinOn86) October 21, 2020
Gwen’s not turning for this 90s rock guy. That chapter of her life is over. 😂#TheVoice
— shannon (@attilathehoneyb) October 21, 2020
As it turned out, Aaron ended up on Blake’s team (of course Blake won the “Hemorrhage”-off against John), while Gwen ended up warming to another contestant with an apparently less triggering ’90s sound. These were the other successful auditions of Tuesday night:
Taryn Papa, 30: “Anyway”
This Nashville power-singer performs at Blake’s Broadway bar, Ole Red, and has been working the Music City club circuit for the past seven years. She chose this Martina McBride classic because she related to its message of against-all-odds perseverance, and it was clear that she was really feeling it. She had a pretty tone and a fine sense of control; she chose her moments wisely; and she built the momentum masterfully. Blake called her a “swing for the fences” type of vocalist.
Who turned? Blake, Gwen… and a blocked Kelly. On Monday’s premiere, John used his one Block of the season on Kelly, and tonight Blake did the same thing, so clearly the other coaches see Kelly as a threat.
