The Sunday Telegraph (Sept. 1st 2002)

Stefani's stunning honesty

Despite her fame, there's a humour and honesty about rock-chick Gwen Stefani that allows you to learn a lot about her -- even in a tightly regimented 15 minutes.

The queue of cameras lining the corridors outside the conference room of Sydney's Medina Grand is testament to the pop icon appeal of the girl from Orange County, California, who became lead singer with top US band No Doubt.

Stefani was surrounded by minders when I met her, but within a few moments we are chuckling together -- comparing engagement rings (hers is bigger), bare midriffs (mine is bigger) and migrant family stories (hers are Italian, mine Irish -- the score's even).

No Doubt are in Australia promoting their latest album Rock Steady, which has already gone platinum in the US.

Strutting a pose for the cameras, dressed in rolled-up jeans, stilt-high strappy red sandals, a black beret over her trademark platinum pony-tail, and an enormous belt with a silver buckle saying "Rude Gal", Stefani is delighted to be in Sydney but rueful over how little they have seen so far.

But the Hordern Pavilion crowd make up for it. "The fans are great down here, I'm still high," she drawls. Away from the cameras, Stefani admits she's a little weary.

The pop star, who is soon to star in her own video game, happily plunders her personal life for public narrative. Stefani, 32, is soon to marry Gavin Rossdale of Bush in a small London ceremony.