Pop star Gwen Stefani is drawing both criticism and praise after publicly promoting a 40-day Lent prayer challenge in partnership with the faith-based prayer and meditation app Hallow, as reported by Fox News.
The 55-year-old singer shared a video message encouraging participation in the challenge, which coincides with the Christian season of Lent.
[VIDEO]🚨🇺🇸🙏 GWEN STEFANI GETTING BACKLASH & PRAISE FOR EMBRACING FAITH: As the pop icon promotes a 40-day Lent challenge on the prayer and meditation app Hallow, she’s facing accusations of undergoing a “MAGA makeover.” In Stefani’s ad she says, Hey everyone, I just got my…
— Lynn (@Lynnrx52) February 22, 2026
In a widely circulated ad, Stefani said, “Hey everyone, I just got my ashes, and I’m ready for Lent. This year, I’ll be doing Hallow’s 40-day Lent Prayer Challenge. It’s going to be incredible. Check it out. God bless.”
On Ash Wednesday, Stefani also posted another video to Instagram, where she invited her 17.7 million followers to join her in the 40-day prayer effort through the app.
The campaign marks the continued public embrace of her Christian faith, a move that has sparked strong reactions online.
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As Stefani promotes the Lent challenge, some critics have accused her of undergoing what they call a “MAGA makeover.”
The controversy centers not only on her visible expression of faith but also on her partnership with Hallow, an app that has drawn criticism for its anti-abortion stance and its ties to conservative figures, including Vice President J.D. Vance, who is an investor.
Social media reactions have been sharply divided. Some longtime fans expressed disappointment, arguing that Stefani has departed from what they considered her former image.
One critic wrote on X, “How she went from being the coolest woman ever to this MAGA religious b—- is beyond me. Shame on her.”
Another posted, “Gwen Stefani’s MAGA downfall is soooo disappointing.”
A separate user referenced one of Stefani’s hit songs, writing, “She ain’t no hollaback girl anymore … she has the maga makeover…”
Another commenter stated simply, “Ugh canceled.”
At the same time, many supporters have defended Stefani, arguing that public expressions of faith should not automatically be tied to partisan politics.
One fan wrote, “If being religious is now a MAGA thing, then maybe we should start dragging all your favorites who also share faith.”
Another responded to the political labeling by saying, “It’s a huge disservice when we label people who just want to stay out of the political moment. Gwen represents millions who don’t fit into these boxes. We should be careful.”
Another user added, “You’re the only reason I’m still on this godforsaken app…” while several followers responded with heart emojis in support of the singer.
This is not Stefani’s first collaboration with Hallow. In December 2024, she announced a 25-day prayer challenge for Advent, encouraging followers to participate in prayer and meditation leading up to Christmas.
That earlier partnership also drew attention as Stefani increasingly incorporated public discussions of faith into her platform.
Hallow has received endorsements from other celebrities, including Mark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt. The app offers guided prayer, meditation sessions, and seasonal challenges tied to the Christian calendar.
The latest Lent campaign has again placed Stefani at the center of a cultural debate, as reactions continue to unfold across social media platforms.
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