Gwen Stefani sparks outrage over handling 'terrified' tiny kitten during 'The Voice' premiere

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Gwen Stefani is facing a wave of backlash after her actions during 'The Voice' season 26 premiere on Monday, September 23, which left viewers stunned.

The 'Hollaback Girl' singer introduced her new rescue kitten to the audience in a move that quickly turned controversial.

Gwen Stefani slammed for disturbing treatment of kitten on air

During the live show, Gwen Stefani, 54, brought the tiny, six-week-old kitten onto the stage, holding the fragile animal aloft as she spoke to the crowd—an act many fans found disturbing.

It all started when contestant Sydney Sterlace wowed the judges with a soulful rendition of Olivia Rodrigo’s hit song 'Drivers License.' After her performance, Stefani was handed the kitten, using it as part of her pitch to convince Sydney to join her team.

“You know Sydney... I had this little thing happen to me,” Stefani explained. "This little creature came up to my porch and was like barely alive and was like 'I love you, you're my new cat' but I don't have a name! Then I thought maybe I can name it Sydney."

As Stefani’s excitement grew, so did her volume. She yelled, “This cat’s name is Sydney!” while the kitten meowed anxiously.

Social media users lash out over Gwen Stefani's treatment of a kitten 

However, what was meant to be a heartwarming moment quickly soured as the visibly frightened kitten wriggled in Gwen Stefani’s hands. Fans watching from home were horrified, taking to social media to voice their concerns about the way she handled the animal. 

A user said, "@gwenstefani love you to bits, but please never do that to such a young animal again. The noise, the way you held it like it was a stuffed animal dangling from your fingers, all of it would be traumatizing for such a very young kitten."

"Please never let Gwen near an animal again. They way she kept hoisting that tiny, scared kitten sky high above her head was horrifying. @NBCTheVoice," tweeted a user.

"@gwenstefani I love you, Gwen, and so enjoy you on The Voice, but I wish I could help you understand how terrified that kitten was. It wasn't taken from its mother that long ago and then to be out in front of all the people and noise, it isn't having a great start in life," said another.

"Don't bring that teeny kitten to the set of @NBCTheVoice. You're traumatizing the poor little thing! What's wrong with you?! @peta," wrote another.

Another commented, "Oh yes, I remember snowflake and Yes, that’s what I thought of as soon as she brought out that kitten I actually tweeted on another post of this “ like husband like wife."

"I agree, please take the kitten away from her," penned a user.

"I am sure #gwenstefani loves cats but I was kinda worried about the baby kitten. He looked scared and confused. So many people and loud sounds. Then she puts him down! I dont think using a kitten was a good idea," claimed a user.

"I did not have Gwen Stefani torturing a kitten on my bingo card, but here we are. JFC what are @nbc and The Voice thinking?" added another.

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