Blake Shelton Is ‘Fulfilled’ by Being a Stepdad to Gwen Stefani’s 3 Sons: ‘He Never Thought Possible’

A few years ago, Zuma Rossdale got hold of stepdad Blake Slelton’s phone and accidentally rang a country music legend. “He thought he was calling his nanny Vince, and he called Vince Gill,” Blake, 48, recently recalled. “I heard Vince Gill’s voice kind of laughing … and I saw Zuma throw the phone down. He was like, ‘I don’t know. There was some man that answered Vince’s phone.’’”

Crazy shenanigans are par for the course with Blake and the sons he’s helped Gwen Stefani, 55, raise since late 2015: Kingston, 18, Zuma, now 16, and Apollo, 10. From making flaming Hot Cheetos turkey recipe they saw on TikTok to teaching Kingston to drive at age 11 – and ending up stuck in the mud – the “Hillbilly Bone” singer has more than embraced being a stepfather. “When Blake got together with Gwen, he got an instant family,” a source exclusively tells Life & Style. “A lot of guys would have been intimidated, but being a stepdad has fulfilled Blake in ways he never thought possible.”

Gwen’s ex-husband, Gavin Rossdale, 59, is the boys’ biological dad and remains active in their lives. But Blake plays an integral role, too. “Even though I’m a stepparent, I take that job very seriously,” he’s said. “I have a stepfather in my life who is one of my heroes … so I have a good inspiration.”

Indeed, the devoted coparent even left The Voice in order to spend more time with Kingston, Zuma and Apollo. “The kids see me as a very important person,” he has shared. “[When they ask,] ‘Why isn’t Blake here?’ I take that stuff to heart. I’ve made plenty of money, but you can’t buy time back. I don’t want any regrets.”

One of Blake’s greatest joys has been exposing his Cali-bred brood to his Oklahoma roots. “I get to teach them the country,” he says. “Whether it’s music, whether it’s literally getting out, getting their hands in the dirt, or being out on the ranch, seeing the animals … I absolutely love being the person that gets to introduce them to that stuff.”

It’s also not uncommon for the three boys to turn to Blake for advice, dishes the source: “Gwen loves the sweet bond Blake shares with them. It makes her heart want to explode.”

That was on full display in July. With his stepdad’s encouragement, Zuma made his stage debut, playing guitar and singing at Blake’s Tishomingo, Oklahoma, bar, Ole Red, while Gwen proudly cheered and videotaped from the crowd. “He’s decided that he’s a country guy,” a glowing Blake said when he introduced Zuma as “our middle son.”

Yep, Blake’s got the stepdad gig down. “I try to be smart about when to step back,” he has said. “But no matter what, always be there if I’m needed.”