Celebrity couple Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are reportedly facing significant strain in their three-year marriage, driven by Shelton's passion for hunting and fishing-a hobby sources close to the couple say has become a major point of contention.
Shelton, 48, retired from NBC's The Voice in May 2023 and recently concluded a six-show Las Vegas residency, leaving him with more leisure time to indulge his outdoor pursuits. However, friends of the pair suggest these hobbies have exacerbated existing differences, especially considering Stefani's lifelong vegetarianism.
An insider speaking to RadarOnline described Shelton's frequent hunting and fishing trips as problematic, especially since Stefani, 55, finds the aftermath of his activities unsettling. "Blake enjoys these nature trips and will spend a day or three out in the wild soaking it in," the insider said. "But the game he brings home and the fish that need gutting and cleaning gross Gwen out."
Shelton himself has openly acknowledged his limited skills in hunting and fishing. "Hunting and fishing is one of those things I'm never going to master," Shelton admitted. "I'm never gonna dominate the hunting and fishing world, and 99.9 percent of the time I'm gonna lose. I'm gonna fail. And that's what keeps me hooked."
According to sources, the couple is now increasingly leading separate lives, with Stefani's frustration mounting as Shelton's hunting habits clash directly with her lifestyle. Friends indicate the situation has reached a "breaking point."
"For him to proudly wave his kill in front of her is unbearable," another source shared with RadarOnline, emphasizing that Stefani initially believed she could persuade Shelton to curtail his consumption of animal products after marriage. However, her attempts have proven largely unsuccessful.
"She's made that very clear to Blake," the insider added, "but he brushes her complaints aside-and their relationship is now at breaking point."
Stefani, who rose to prominence as the lead singer of the rock band No Doubt, has publicly maintained a strict vegetarian diet since age 12. Her dedication to animal rights and personal discomfort with Shelton's hobby has apparently widened a cultural gap between the urbane singer and her country-music-star husband.
The couple's relationship initially drew attention due to their seemingly opposite backgrounds: Shelton, known for his laid-back country persona, and Stefani, famous for her glam-rock style and California roots. This juxtaposition, once considered charming, now reportedly magnifies their marital tensions.
Speculation about their relationship has intensified as the couple spends more time apart. Shelton's growing enthusiasm for outdoor sports coincides with reduced professional obligations, leaving Stefani reportedly feeling sidelined and disillusioned by his choices.
