Gwen Stefani draws backlash for promoting Hallow’s 40-day Lent prayer challenge
gwen stefani invited her followers to join Hallow’s 40-day Lent prayer challenge on Ash Wednesday, posting a video in which she said, “Hey everyone, I just got my ashes, and I’m ready for Lent, ” and telling fans the challenge “is going to be incredible. ” The endorsement has prompted a mix of support and sharp criticism tied to the app’s politics.
Gwen Stefani’s Hallow post drew mixed reactions
The pop star posted the message on Ash Wednesday and asked followers to “check it out, ” encouraging participation in the 40-day prayer and meditation program; she has roughly 17. 7 million followers on Instagram. Some fans cheered the public profession of faith, while others criticized the move online, saying her embrace of the religious app clashed with her long-standing pop image.
Hallow’s political and ideological links at center of dispute
Critics pointed to Hallow’s perceived political stance as a reason for their anger, citing the app’s connections to conservative figures and an anti-abortion posture. Social media users referenced the app’s ties to investor Vice President JD Vance and flagged past statements from Hallow’s leadership about supporting the Church’s pro-life position and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Those connections prompted some commenters to call the endorsement a political or ideological shift.
Fans split in comments, with sharp language and defenses
Comments on platforms including X and Instagram ranged from brief denunciations—“Ugh canceled”—to sharper language accusing the singer of a “MAGA makeover, ” with one user writing, “How she went from being the coolest woman ever to this MAGA religious b---- is beyond me. ” Others pushed back at those critics, defending Stefani’s choice to speak about faith and calling the attacks hypocritical.
The controversy over celebrity partnerships with Hallow has surfaced with other public figures as well. Another actor who promoted the app earlier faced backlash for similar reasons, and some online conversations tied those responses to broader debates about paid endorsements for religious tools.
Stefani’s invitation to join the 40-day challenge began on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and she framed the decision as a personal Lenten practice rather than a political statement. She told followers the program would be “incredible” and closed her short video with “God bless. ”
The Hallow challenge remains live and open to participants; Stefani’s post and the ensuing debate are likely to continue circulating on social platforms in the coming days as followers decide whether to take part and commentators weigh in.
