Why is Gwen Stefani’s Hallow app partnership stirring controversy? JD Vance link and backlash explained

Singer, songwriter, and fashion designer Gwen Stefani is currently facing backlash after she asked her fans on Instagram to join her for a Christmas prayer on the pay-for-prayer app Hallow, where she is a speaker for the Advent program.

Stefani, who is a devout Catholic, said in her December 2 video message:

“It is important this holiday season to spend time in prayer. That is what Christmas is all about. Letting God into our hearts and letting Jesus bring us his peace. Download Hallow today and join me and millions of others in praying everyday this Advent and Christmas season on Hallow.”

The post was marked as a paid partnership with Hallow. It was accompanied by the caption:

“The season of Advent has always been a reminder to slow down, even when everything around us is moving so fast. It’s such a special time to reflect, pray, and make room in your heart for Jesus.”

Gwen’s post also spoke about the Advent challenge titled “Be Still” which is defined as a way to learn to “find stillness amidst the chaos” and “embrace peace even when our lives are so busy.” The 56-year-old urged her fans to join her for “Pray25: Be Still on Hallow.”

Gwen Stefani is now facing controversy as Hallow has rumored ties to the right-wing camp and is also a monthly/ yearly paid app, with people pointing out that access to God should be free.

Additionally, Vice President JD Vance is one of the app’s major investors. In fact, as of 2022, he has held two shares on Hallow, each worth between $1,001 and $15,000, according to The Independent.

Several Instagram users condemned the artist in the comment section of her now-viral post.

“Find your God for only USD 70 per year. Before tax. Funded by yours truly: J.D. Vance! Merry Christmas!” a user wrote.

“This app was developed by JD Vance and Peter Thiel. Why are you advancing their anti-woman, anti-LGBTQIA agenda and their greed? As someone said recently, you don’t need to pay $70 per year to find Jesus in an app. Jesus is absolutely everywhere, for absolutely everyone, all the time, for free!” wrote another.

“God is free, Gwen. Touch some grass,” a netizen added.

“Pay for pray is CRAZY WORK,” stated one.

Meanwhile, others defended the No Doubt band member.

“Spreading the truth! I love it,” another netizen wrote.

“I love seeing these celebrities come to Christ! I ain’t getting the app but I love that people are being encouraged to find Christ and have an app available if they so choose,” an individual wrote.

“Thank you, Gwen for being amazing. I love the Hallow app and you for having boldness to take a stand for faith,” a fan wrote.

Gwen Stefani hasn’t responded to the controversy or the backlash yet.

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Exploring further why Gwen Stefani is under fire

Gwen Stefani has a partnership with the Hallow app which has a $69.99 per year subscription and offers Catholic prayers, meditations, praise music, and audio-based Bible narrations. The pay-for-prayer angle has now put the singer-songwriter under fire.

For instance, LGBTQIA+ activist and influencer Matt Bernstein reposted Ms Stefani’s clip on his @mattxiv Instagram page and called it “bananas” in the caption.

“This IS bananas. b-a-n-a-n-a-s,” Matt wrote.

Meanwhile, in his attached video, Bernstein was heard ripping into Gwen Stefani, by saying:

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year, aka when Gwen Stefani shills for the right-wing, anti-abortion, pay-to-pray app Hallow. And if you’re feeling like you’ve missed a few chapters of late-stage capitalism meets religious grifting meets your favorite Y2K celebrity, I am here to help.”

A Bit Fruity podcaster claimed that “God’s not cheap” referring to the alleged millions of dollars funding from JD Vance and billionaire and conservative venture capitalism Peter Thiel and its $69.99 annual rate. Other paying options include $10.99 per month and $119.99 for six people together as part of the Friends and Family package.

Calling Stefani a “Hallow App Girl” instead of her iconic “Holloback Girl” persona and her venture a “scam,” the influencer also called out her link to Lila Rose, an anti-abortion advocate, who’s reportedly involved in Hallow.

Berstein concluded by urging people not to invest their time and money into the app and instead try to find God the usual way in this holiday season.

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It is noteworthy that the Don’t Speak songstress has never publicly spoken about her political viewpoints. However, she earlier faced criticism when she praised conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s March interview with actor Jonathan Roumie, who played the role of Christ on the Netflix series, The Chosen.

Gwen Stefani is currently busy with the promotion of her latest music videos, Shake the Snow Globe and Hot Cocoa, which are her 2025 holidays releases. She is also slated to reunite with her No Doubt bandmates for a Las Vegas residency in 2026.