From Gwen Stefani to Gabrielle Union: Stars who went from friends to partners

Sometimes, for celebrities, the best romantic relationships begin with friendship.

The journey from platonic pals to partners came with unexpected twists, heartfelt moments, and a few iconic quotes along the way.

Here are some of the celebrities who found ‘the one’ in their friends:

1. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton:

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton first met in 2014 as coaches on The Voice, but their connection deepened in 2016 after they both went through divorces.

"That's kind of how our friendship and bond started," Shelton told Billboard. "That's kind of how our friendship and bond started, that day. It went from that, to checking in on each other once a week through email 'This shit happened to me, what happened to you?' to maybe three times a week, then every day, to 'Hey, here's my phone number if you ever want to text.' 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."

Five years later, they were engaged. "She didn’t think the engagement would change her and Blake’s relationship, but it has sparked even more happiness," a source told PEOPLE.

2. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker:

For years, Kourtney Kardashian and musician Travis Barker were just neighbours and friends in Calabasas, California.

That changed in early 2021, when Kardashian confirmed their romance with a Valentine’s Day Instagram post of them holding hands.

"Kourtney is very happy with Travis. She wanted to confirm their relationship, because it's something positive," a source told PEOPLE. 

Another insider added, "Travis has liked her for a while."

Both share a strong family focus, Kardashian co-parents her three kids with ex Scott Disick, while Barker is a devoted dad to his own children. Their friendship-turned-romance has since become one of Hollywood’s most talked-about love stories.

3. Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen:

Ted Danson, well known for his role in The Mr. Mayor, first met Mary Steenburgen during a 1983 audition, but sparks didn’t fly until years later, after both had divorced.

"I wasn't ready for anything like a relationship," Steenburgen admitted to PEOPLE. "We just kept working together and becoming better and better friends."

A canoe trip in Mendocino, California, turned everything around. "It was very magical," Danson said. "We came back in love… or I'll say smitten." That moment led to a marriage that has now lasted 25 years.

4. Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade:

When Gabrielle Union first met NBA star Dwyane Wade, romance wasn’t even on her radar.

"I had a boyfriend when I met him. And Dwyane is a bit younger than me, so it felt like he was 12. He was super shy and quiet," she said at The Late Late Show with James Corden.

It took legendary singer Patti LaBelle to nudge her toward Wade. "She was like, 'Girl, you better drop that zero and get you a hero,'" Union recalled. And with that, the friendship took a turn toward love, proving sometimes, a little outside encouragement can change everything.

5. Common and Tiffany Haddish:

Common and Tiffany Haddish first met on the set of The Kitchen, but their  relationship stayed friendly until fate brought them together again for a charity project with dating app Bumble.

They began with a virtual date during the pandemic and soon took it offline. "Then he got tested for everything, I got tested for everything, and yeah, we've been f******," Haddish joked on Steve-O's Wild Ride podcast.

For Haddish, this relationship has been unlike any other. "This is my first time ever being in a relationship with [a celebrity]… I'm just way happier … knowing I got somebody that cares about me, that really has my back… And I love it. I love him."

These stories shows how several celebrity relationships began as friendships before growing into romantic partnerships. The shared experiences, mutual connections, or time spent together eventually led to a shift from platonic to romantic ties.