Blake Shelton Fell for Miranda Lambert While Still Married — They Divorced after He Met Gwen Stefani

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert | Gwen Stephani and Blake Shelton | Source: Getty Images

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert had a short-lived marriage that endured several breakup rumors. Both are now happily married to different partners.

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are two of the most known names in the music industry, making it no mystery why they fall in love with each other quickly.

Their passion for music brought them together, although he was still married when he met her. Eventually, their love story crumbled.

Blake Shelton and Kaynette Williams during the 38th Annual CMA Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House November 9, 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Blake Shelton and Kaynette Williams during the 38th Annual CMA Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House November 9, 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

The two artists first crossed paths in 2005 after being introduced to one another at CMT’s 100 Greatest Duets Concert.

She felt drawn to him early on, but he disregarded her feelings because of his marital status. Similarly, Shelton fell in love with the “Drunk” songstress upon meeting.

THE START OF THEIR LOVE STORY

In a later interview, Lambert said she knew Shelton was married and even saw his wedding photo on Country Weekly. She added:

“I knew better, like, this is off-limits. My parents are private investigators, for God’s sake. I’ve seen this my whole life – affairs. Of all people to know better, I know better than this.”

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert during the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards' Artist of the Decade at the MGM Grand on April 6, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert during the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards’ Artist of the Decade at the MGM Grand on April 6, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Still, she couldn’t deny the “inevitable chemistry” they had upon meeting. A year later, Shelton divorced his wife, Kaynette Williams, and pursued a relationship with Lambert.

In 2010, Shelton proposed to Lambert but did so while honoring her father. The “God’s Country” artist called Lambert’s father and asked for his blessing before popping the question on May 9, presenting a diamond and platinum ring that he chose himself.

“We’ve been together five years, so he knew exactly what I wanted, but it’s so much more perfect than I could have picked myself,” Lambert said. The proposal was an informal celebration, but one that the country star loved.

In addition to that particular moment, 2010 was a year of highs for Lambert, who scored her first number 1 single, “White Liar,” in January and became both Top Female Vocalist and Album of the Year at the ACM Awards.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton at LP Field during the 2010 CMA Music Festival on June 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton at LP Field during the 2010 CMA Music Festival on June 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

THE MARRIAGE THAT ENDED IN DIVORCE

The couple tied the knot in 2011, but challenges began to plague their marriage. In 2013, the two became the subject of breakup rumors, which they denied.

At that time, the “The Voice” judge revealed that his wife had access to his phone whenever she wanted to prove that no secrets were kept in the relationship. He said:

“That’s really the kind of trust we have. There are no secrets. [I’ll say], ‘Go dig through my drawers or my computer if you feel like you need to,’ and that’s been a really good thing because I don’t want her to ever have any doubts.”

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert during the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert during the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Rumors continued to swirl in 2014, but the couple remained unshaken, even joking about the alleged divorce. “I think I’ve had like five sets of twins in the last two years, and we’ve been divorced four times, and one of us had a $100 million divorce,” Lambert quipped.

In the same year, the couple celebrated their third wedding anniversary with sweet greetings on social media.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards concerts at the Fremont Street Experience during the on April 17, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards concerts at the Fremont Street Experience during the on April 17, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Admittedly, Lambert said that marriage was challenging, but at the same time, a fantastic gift that should be made great of a deal. She added:

“We always try to be together. I wouldn’t want to be on opposite ends of the country on our anniversary! That time is sacred.”

But soon enough, the couple proved rumors true – there was trouble in paradise. In April 2014, Gwen Stefani joined season nine of “The Voice” as a coach, working alongside Shelton.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton during ABC's Coverage of The 44th Annual CMA Awards. | Source: Getty Images

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton during ABC’s Coverage of The 44th Annual CMA Awards. | Source: Getty Images

Within a year, Shelton and Lambert announced the end of their marriage after four years together. In a released statement, they said:

“We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends, and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter.”

The pair revealed that they did not see the separation coming but had to make the bold decision to move forward with their lives independently.

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert during the 44th Annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 10, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert during the 44th Annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 10, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Shelton and Lambert remained quiet about the issue before and after the statement’s release. Including their courtship stage, they shared ten beautiful years together.

It didn’t take long after their split that Shelton began dating his “The Voice” co-star, Gwen Stefani. They confirmed their relationship on November 4, 2015, through Shelton’s representative, who said:

“Gwen and Blake are longtime friends who have recently started dating.”

Gwen Stefani, Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, and Blake Shelton during "The Voice" Season 7. | Source: Getty Images

Gwen Stefani, Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, and Blake Shelton during “The Voice” Season 7. | Source: Getty Images

According to the pair, their divorces and life circumstances, which coincided, brought them closer together.

In 2020, Shelton finally opened up about his divorce to Lambert. His song “If I’m Honest” revealed facts about their split.

“Maybe not specifics,” he said. “But you get the general idea about it. It is my divorce record, but maybe even more than that, it’s my happy, falling-in-love record too.”

 Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani during the 2016 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Irving Azoff at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 14, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani during the 2016 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Irving Azoff at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 14, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Admittedly, his second divorce has negatively affected him in a way where he hit rock bottom. One of his songs, “She’s Got a Way With Words,” talks about a lover who lied and cheated, and although Shelton did not write it, he isn’t stopping anyone from thinking it resembled his relationship. He said:

“When you have a broken heart – at least when I do – you got to get it out of your system. You want people to sympathize with you. I was at rock bottom, in the middle of hell.”

However, there was someone who deeply understood him as well. “I won’t forget that day,” he recalled. “I looked at Gwen – who I really didn’t know – and she had these huge tears in her eyes. I thought, ‘Wow, she feels super bad for me!'”

Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

The “Candyman” songstress had just separated from her husband of 20 years, Gavin Rossdale. She later spoke to Shelton alone, and their close bond started from there.

Their relationship blossomed as time passed, from letting each other know that they understood each other to checking up through emails once a week. He said:

“Next thing I know, I wake up, and she’s all I care about, and I’m wondering if she feels the same about me.”

Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin during the 2022 CMT Music Awards at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on April 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin during the 2022 CMT Music Awards at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on April 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

In July 2021, Shelton and Stefani tied the knot in an intimate Oklahoma ceremony, which took place in the “Home” artist’s small chapel on his ranch. Fortunately, Stefani’s children and family love her new husband, positively influencing her. She said:

“[My style is] more feminine than ever before. It’s probably because I’m super in love and have a really manly man. I enjoy letting that part of me come out now […].”

Lambert also remarried a New York City officer, Brendan McLoughlin, only three months after dating. He was married during their first meeting, but their love continued. In 2022, it was revealed that the pair were trying to have a child.