When Gwen Stefani’s son Zuma joined Blake Shelton on stage last night, fans couldn’t believe their eyes. With his laid-back charm, confident grin, and even a hint of that signature Shelton swagger, Zuma didn’t just look like a mini-Blake — he performed like one too. From the way he held the mic to how he worked the crowd, it was clear: the next generation of country charisma might already be here… and he’s growing up fast under some legendary guidance.

Blake Shelton may not be biologically related to Gwen Stefani’s sons, but middle child Zuma is starting to bear quite the resemblance to his country star stepdad.

In through-the-years photo montage Stefani shared to celebrate Zuma’s 16th birthday on Thursday (Aug. 22), the resemblance is especially striking. The photo montage starts out with baby pictures, showing Zuma as a sweet, blue-eyed infant who looks a lot like his mom.

But as he gets older – and especially in the years after Stefani and Shelton started dating – the country influence on Zuma’s style is undeniable. He starts rocking a cowboy hat and playing guitar more often, and in one recent photo of him and Shelton, Zuma is a dead ringer for his stepdad.

“Happy sweet 16, Zuma!! We love u SO much,” Stefani writes in the caption of her post.

Even though Shelton seems to have had a big influence on Zuma’s musical style, the young boy seems to have had an interest in music long beforehand: In one photo of him strumming a guitar, he doesn’t look much older than four or five years old.

Zuma’s musical side could have easily come from his pop superstar mom or his rocker dad, Gavin Rossdale, too.

Zuma showed off his country side during his debut live performance at Shelton’s Oklahoma Ole Red location last month. He wore jeans and a cowboy hat when he stepped onstage and performed a rendition of Zach Bryan’s “Oklahoma Smokeshow.”

Zuma is one of three children Stefani shares with her ex-husband, Bush guitarist Gavin Rossdale.

Carena Liptak is an Associate Editor and staff writer at Taste of Country. She specializes in breaking country music news, interviews and lists. In particular, she’s got a soft spot for sad songs — check out her roundup of the 50 Saddest Country Songs of All Time!

Related Posts

10 MINS AGO – SON-IN-LAW’S HOUSE BLOCKADE! Tommaso Cioni Under Fire as Police Impound Car in Savannah Guthrie Mother Case – Was It a Family Feud Turned Deadly?

Savannah Guthrie’s sister, Annie Guthrie, and brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, were photographed for the first time since the disappearance of their mother, Nancy Guthrie, from her Tucson home….

NEW EVIDENCE: A 10-year-old neighbor turns in a DRONE memory card in tears

Authorities have confirmed that new digital evidence has been formally logged after a neighboring child voluntarily turned over a memory card from a recreational drone. The child,…

Delivery Driver Speaks Out About Nancy Guthrie Disappearance — Shares His Side

Delivery Driver Detained in Nancy Guthrie Case Released Without Charges Carlos Palazuelos, 36, was briefly detained in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie but has been…

More People Identify as Aegosexual — Understanding the Meaning Behind the Term

As conversations about sexual identity expand, the term aegosexual has gained attention within the asexual spectrum. It describes people who may experience sexual attraction or fantasy but…

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Featured Real Performers Dressed as Grass Figures

During the halftime show at Super Bowl LX, viewers watching Bad Bunny deliver a high-energy performance noticed what looked like decorative grass and shrubs lining the stage….

SAD NEWS 10 minutes ago in Arizona, Annie Guthrie Guthrie was confirmed as…See more

Sad news emerged just minutes ago in Arizona as authorities confirmed a difficult update involving Annie Guthrie, a development that has deepened concern around the ongoing family…