Gwen Stefani’s Bold Fashion and Hollywood Debut: A Look Back at Wango Tango and The Aviator

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

In May 2016, Gwen Stefani energized the crowd at 102.7 KIIS FM’s Wango Tango, held at the StubHub Center in California. At 46, Gwen Stefani took the stage, delivering a high-energy performance of her classic hits like ‘Rich Girl’ and ‘Sweet Escape,’ alongside new tracks such as ‘Misery’ and ‘Make Me Like You’ from her album This is What the Truth Feels Like.

Gwen Stefani shows off her bleach-blonde-and-black hair at 102.7 KIIS FM's Wango Tango 2016Gwen Stefani shows off her bleach-blonde-and-black hair at 102.7 KIIS FM’s Wango Tango 2016, held on May 14, 2016, at StubHub Center in Carson, California (Credit: WENN)

While Gwen Stefani dazzled the crowd with her energetic stage presence and a mix of classic hits and new tracks, her talents aren’t limited to music alone. Twelve years earlier, she made her Hollywood debut, stepping into the role of iconic actress Jean Harlow in Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator.

Gwen Stefani’s Hollywood Debut in The Aviator

In 2004, Gwen made her film debut, playing Jean Harlow in Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator. The director noticed Stefani on a Vogue cover poster in New York City, and she got the role.

Released on December 14, 2004, The Aviator saw Gwen Stefani, then 35, portraying the legendary Jean Harlow, who was just 19 when her film Hell’s Angels premiered.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes and Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow in the 2004 American epic biographical drama film The AviatorLeonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes and Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow in the 2004 American epic biographical drama film The Aviator (Credit: Miramax Films / Warner Bros. Pictures)

A Dream Come True: Gwen on Working with Martin Scorsese

Gwen Stefani revealed to MTV News that she had been auditioning for movies for years, fueled by her creative passion. However, balancing her thriving music career with acting aspirations proved difficult, making it challenging to compete with full-time actresses. This struggle eventually led her to take a year off to focus entirely on landing a film role. ‘I’ve been trying out for movies for years,’ Stefani shared.

“Because it all comes from the same place, all the creative things inside you, and I’ve wanted to do it for a long time. But when you’re touring and writing and busy, you can’t compete with some of these actresses that are like, that’s what they do every day. But that’s one of the reasons we took a year off. I wanted to do a film.”

“It was like a dream come true,” Stefani added. “He is so elaborate, I felt like I was doing a movie. My girlfriend Sophie Muller, who does a lot of our videos, happened to be with me and documented the whole thing.”

Gwen Stefani stuns in a vintage-inspired pink gown alongside Gavin Rossdale at the premiere of The Aviator Gwen Stefani stuns in a vintage-inspired pink gown alongside Gavin Rossdale at the premiere of The Aviator in Los Angeles, California, on December 1, 2004 (Credit: Marty Hause / Startraksphoto)

“Martin Scorsese’s driving in New York City and he sees my Teen Vogue cover on the side of a bus stop shelter,” Stefani said about how she got the role.

“And he’s like, ‘Who’s that girl? Let’s get her!’ I had Leonardo DiCaprio [who’s playing Hughes] tell me the whole story in Martin Scorsese’s voice, so it was pretty bizarre.”

Gwen Stefani’s Bold Fashion Choices at Wango Tango

For her performance at 102.7 KIIS FM’s 2016 Wango Tango, she wore a see-through embellished mesh top and shimmering Sass & Bide “Flashlight Disco” shorts.

Gwen Stefani performs at KIIS FM's Wango Tango in Sass & Bide "Flashlight Disco" shorts and L.A.M.B. bootsGwen Stefani performs at KIIS FM’s Wango Tango in Sass & Bide “Flashlight Disco” shorts and L.A.M.B. boots (Credit: WENN)

She amped up the look’s rock ‘n’ roll vibe with a pair of “Nichol” booties from her L.A.M.B. collection.

From the Stage to the Pink Carpet: Gwen’s Stunning Red Carpet Look

Before hitting the stage, Gwen gave us some major ab envy as she graced the pink carpet in a sheer bodysuit from Elisabetta Franchi’s Fall 2016 collection.

Gwen Stefani makes a bold statement at Wango Tango 2016, pairing a sheer zigzag top with camo cargo pants, fishnet tights, and glittering Louboutin pumps, effortlessly blending edgy and glamGwen Stefani makes a bold statement at Wango Tango 2016, pairing a sheer zigzag top with camo cargo pants, fishnet tights, and glittering Louboutin pumps, effortlessly blending edgy and glam (Credit: WENN)

She confidently showcased her toned stomach in the flesh-bareing top, which featured a high neck, long sleeves, and strategically placed black panels with gold fringe trim.

Gwen Stefani wears a sheer glittery bodysuit under a pair of paint-splattered cargo pants and fishnet tightsGwen Stefani wears a sheer glittery bodysuit under a pair of paint-splattered cargo pants and fishnet tights (Credit: Apega / FayesVision / WENN)

The mom-of-three stayed true to her eclectic style by toughening up the daring number with paint-splattered army cargo pants worn over fishnet tights.

Gwen accessorized the look with stacked bangles, rings, and diamond stud earrings.

Gwen Stefani teams her dip-dyed hair with an Elisabetta Franchi bodysuit, camo-print pants and fishnetsGwen Stefani teams her dip-dyed hair with an Elisabetta Franchi bodysuit, camo-print pants, and fishnets (Credit: Apega / FayesVision / WENN)

She swapped her retro hairstyle for a funkier dip-dyed look, featuring a deep side part and a half ponytail. The Trolls actress paired smoky eye makeup with heavy mascara, trading her signature red lipstick for a medium brown pout accentuated by bold lip liner.

Gwen Stefani rocks her signature dip-dyed blonde and black ponytail, complementing her bold look with perfectly winged eyeliner, voluminous lashes, and a nude lip that adds a touch of softness to her edgy styleGwen Stefani rocks her signature dip-dyed blonde and black ponytail, complementing her bold look with perfectly winged eyeliner, voluminous lashes, and a nude lip that adds a touch of softness to her edgy style (Credit: WENN)

Gwen rounded out her ensemble with a pair of Christian Louboutin “Pigalle Strass” pumps.

Gwen Stefani pairs fishnet tights with glittering Christian Louboutin Pigalle Strass pumps, adding a touch of glam to her edgy pink carpet lookGwen Stefani pairs fishnet tights with glittering Christian Louboutin Pigalle Strass pumps, adding a touch of glam to her edgy pink carpet look (Credit: WENN)

These pointed-toe shoes are covered in gold crystals and have about four-inch heels.

Gwen Stefani's glittering Christian Louboutin Pigalle Strass pumps, with their iconic red soles, add height and elegantly elongate her legsGwen Stefani’s glittering Christian Louboutin Pigalle Strass pumps, with their iconic red soles, add height and elegantly elongate her legs (Credit: WENN)