TODAY (July 15th 2016)
Gwen Stefani
MATT LAUER: We are thrilled that Gwen Stefani is about to perform on our Citi stage. But first, how this superstar has made herself right at home at the top of the charts.
(Begin VT)
MATT LAUER: Performer, songwriter and fashion icon, three-time Grammy Award winner Gwen Stefani has always been known to push boundaries and break records. In the '90s she emerged on the music scene as the lead singer of "No Doubt."
And in 2004, she moved into a solo career delivering hits like "Hollaback Girl" and "The Sweet Escape."
From singing, she turned to coaching appearing on NBC's "The Voice" for two seasons.
(Excerpt from The Voice)
MATT LAUER: Gwen's latest album, "This is What the Truth Feels Like" is her first solo work in a decade and it debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 charts.
KEVIN O'DONNELL (Entertainment Weekly Senior Editor): Gwen Stefani has had an incredibly trying year given how she's, whether the breakup of her marriage with Gavin Rossdale and also falling in love with Blake Shelton. But she's bounced back with her new album which has some of the best music of her career.
MATT LAUER: This week she kicks off her North American summer tour and one of her first stops, taking center stage on the plaza.
(End VT)
MATT LAUER: The wait is over. Ladies and gentlemen, Gwen Stefani.
(Gwen Stefani performing live)
(Crowd cheering)
MATT LAUER: Gwen Stefani on a Friday morning. More music ahead. But first, this is TODAY on NBC.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MATT LAUER: As the multiplatinum solo artist and, of course, lead singer of "No Doubt", Gwen Stefani has sold more than thirty million albums worldwide.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Her latest album is called "This is What the Truth Feels Like." It's deeply personal and hits can be hailed as her strongest work to date. Gwen, good morning. Good to see you.
GWEN STEFANI: Hi, you guys. Wow. That makes me so happy hearing that.
CARSON DALY: Good morning.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: You've talked about what an emotional rollercoaster you've been on and if this is the fruit of that, I mean, it's incredible. Everyone has said you are at your best. Do you feel that way?
GWEN STEFANI: I-- I feel-- I'm blown away like just blown away. But to be actually out on tour now is just another level of something I never expected. So the show is (unintelligible) show, it was literally magical. You can ask everybody on stage. It was crazy. And just so rewarding, you know.
MATT LAUER: We-- we were talking a second ago and we were talking about thanking you first of all for waking up so early to perform for all these people. And I said look, you're not really a rock 'n' roll time keeper anymore because you have three kids and you said you are--
GWEN STEFANI: I'm very flexible when it comes to sleeping. Yes.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: That's--
MATT LAUER: So you can go rock 'n' roll and--
GWEN STEFANI: I've had to become flexible.
MATT LAUER: --you can go mom mode.
GWEN STEFANI: Yeah. But you know what? That tour bus, that is like, oh, it's the best sleep you ever could get. Honestly.
CARSON DALY: Love the tour.
GWEN STEFANI: Yeah, I love that. I love it. I'm starving for those people. Like I'm starving to be on tour and-- and, you know, exchange that love. That's crazy exchange of energy that happens. So I love it.
CARSON DALY: You're about to perform a song called "Misery." Was it written for how you feel about Blake Shelton?
GWEN STEFANI: You're crazy.
CARSON DALY: Tell us about "Misery."
GWEN STEFANI: You know, it's crazy because the song is called "Misery" but it is-- it is a song about love. So that's all I will say about that. Yeah.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Let me just have a follow-up. Maybe "Misery" was written about working with Carson?
CARSON DALY: No.
GWEN STEFANI: No, I love Carson.
CARSON DALY: I was there for, you know, very important time in your life and it was pretty--
GWEN STEFANI: You were.
CARSON DALY: --crazy what was going on.
GWEN STEFANI: What was really crazy--
CARSON DALY: And what's--
GWEN STEFANI: --where us sitting in my living room going what is happening right now.
CARSON DALY: Yeah.
GWEN STEFANI: Like literally weird stuff.
CARSON DALY: It's been so amazing to watch you come out on this side of it, happier and healthier than I've ever seen you. And I've known you for twenty years.
GWEN STEFANI: Thank you.
CARSON DALY: And your music's just never been stronger.
MATT LAUER: And-- and by the way, your buddy Blake says he's never been happier than he is right now and he says this was meant to be.
CARSON DALY: Is he still asleep?
GWEN STEFANI: Oh, I think he's on his way here right now.
CARSON DALY: How dare he?
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Oh, good.
GWEN STEFANI: So keep your eyes open.
CARSON DALY: Get over here, cowboy.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: It might be weird, but, you know, the whole world is rooting for you, Gwen. And we're so happy to have you here.
GWEN STEFANI: Oh, my God. Thank you so much.
MATT LAUER: You're going to sing "Misery" now?
GWEN STEFANI: Yes. I'm going to sing "Misery."
MATT LAUER: Ladies and gentlemen, Gwen Stefani.
(Gwen Stefani performing live)
(Crowd cheering)
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Gwen Stefani just getting started. She's going to perform one of her biggest hits ever on our Citi stage when we come back. But first, this is TODAY on NBC.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: We are enjoying a great concert from Gwen Stefani this morning. And she's not done yet. So Gwen, take it away.
(Gwen Stefani performing live)
(Crowd cheering)
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Hear more from Gwen Stefani and all our summer concert artists at applemusic.com/TODAY.
Gwen Stefani, thank you so much. She's going to be back with one more song in just a minute. But first, this is TODAY on NBC.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MATT LAUER: You know what? That's not it. We've got more music ahead on a Friday morning with Gwen Stefani. Nice and cool out here, isn't it?
GWEN STEFANI: It's gorgeous.
MATT LAUER: Really nice.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: You don't even break a sweat though.
NATALIE MORALES: No.
GWEN STEFANI: There's this whole like Niagara Falls coming down the center of my body right now.
MATT LAUER: We had a debate over there. What do you call this thing?
GWEN STEFANI: That is-- I'm not really sure.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: I love it.
GWEN STEFANI: Just evolution of me.
CARSON DALY: It's cool.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: In my mind I could wear this outfit. I love it.
GWEN STEFANI: You can keep one of those.