Getty ImagesGwen Stefani may have protested too much.
Despite confirmation from his camp that she and Blake Shelton are dating, not to mention pics of them holding hands in public, the soon-to-be divorced singer resisted categorizing herself as being in a new relationship when asked about it during a radio interview Tuesday.
"This is what I'll say about that: I never said nothin' about being in a new relationship," Gwen explained on the Frankie and Geena Morning Show on San Diego, Calif.'s 93.3 FM. "I don't know who said that but somebody did, and then my kid came in last night to tell me about it. That's how crazy my life is. People can just say whatever they want and then they can just believe it. My truth is 'Used to Love You,' that's the song. That's what I said and I feel really fine about sharing that, and I feel honored to share it. But, I mean, all the other stuff is just craziness. I mean, literally craziness. Hilarious. Hilarious!"
Well...it's not that hilarious. She and Blake have looked pretty cozy these past couple weeks, and the L.A.-based star went all the way to Nashville and attended a CMA Awards after-party with the country music artist last Wednesday.
Sure, we understand that logging a few thousand airline miles doesn't necessarily qualify as commitment among celebs these days, but... It's OK, Gwen. Just let it happen.
The No Doubt frontwoman and coach on The Voice is hardly the first star to deny that a relationship is more relationshippy than it appears. Maybe it's wanting to keep things as private as possible, maybe it's superstition, maybe it's not wanting to count your dates until they've hatched (or, whatever), but just take a look at all of the other couples who said they weren't couples—but were totally seeing each other:
Kylie Jenner & Tyga: We certainly get why these two waited until after Aug. 10, 2015, to go public as an official couple, but considering Tyga gifted the E! star with a Ferrari on her birthday... Let's just call their then-burgeoning romance one of the worst-kept secrets of the year. In February, Tyga flat-out said in an interview, "I'm not dating Kylie, I just want to get that out of the way." But when it came time to go for it, they went for it, with Kylie even co-starring in Tyga's "Stimulated" video, and now it's open season when it comes to capturing their PDA moments.
Kate Upton & Justin Verlander: Despite evidence to the contrary, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl said on Valentine's Day in February 2013 that she was single and had spent her holiday in Florida—seemingly a denial when the interviewer mentioned a vacation with the Detroit Tigers pitcher. But while they theoretically could've been on a break on that particular day, and despite yet another through-the-grapevine denial that they had reunited in January 2014, the comely couple are very much together now!
Ariana Grande & Big Sean: While they ended back in April, Ariana wouldn't confirm what everybody else knew until at least two months after the fact. "I don't know what to say," she said in August 2014 when asked about her and the rapper's reported romance. Finally, in October, she admitted they were dating and called him "one of the most amazing men in the world."
Kris Jenner & Corey Gamble: Word got out in fall 2014 that the two, who were spending an increasing amount of time together, were "just friends" and in let's-see-what-happens mode. Well... see what happened? They're dating!
Lindsay Lohan & Max George: The Wanted singer didn't exactly do the gentlemanly thing when he ostentatiously denied via Twitter in January 2013 that he was dating Lindsay Lohan but then the following month admitted that they had shared some sort of a romance, albeit a brief one.
Nina Dobrev & Ian Somerhalder: They would go on to have a very public relationship and breakup, all while still working together on The Vampire Diaries, but in March 2011—with romance rumors swirling—Dobrev told Teen Vogue: "A lot of people who work together end up dating, so it wouldn't be unusual, but I've never dated anyone I've worked with." Presumably she talked to the mag before... nope, they had been in Australia together the previous November. Off-screen romance alert!
And though a few of these famous couplings are no more, Gwen and Blake should not feel discouraged. If it's gonna work, it's gonna work—no categorization or status updates required.