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Gwen Stefani Faces Backlash Over Paid Promotion of Catholic Prayer App Hallow

Critics point to anti-abortion prayers, subscription fees, plus links to conservative investors.

Overview

  • Stefani posted a paid Instagram Reel on Dec. 1 urging followers to download Hallow and join its Advent and Christmas prayer challenge.
  • Reaction escalated this week as creator Matt Bernstein called Hallow a "pay-to-pray" app and Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause commented, "Gwen-DON'T SPEAK."
  • Hallow is a subscription service priced at about $9.99 per month or $69.99 per year, according to app listings and multiple reports.
  • Coverage highlights in‑app prayers that critics describe as explicitly anti-abortion, including language about women considering abortion in cases of rape or incest, and a 2023 statement from CEO Alex Jones affirming the app’s pro-life alignment with Church teaching.
  • Reports note funding ties to Vice President J.D. Vance and billionaire Peter Thiel, while Stefani has not issued a substantive public response to the criticism.