GWEN STEFANI - STEFANI SOUGHT ANDREWS' OK FOR SOUND OF MUSIC HOMAGE

GWEN STEFANI was so thrilled when JULIE ANDREWS gave her her blessing to recreate her singing nun from THE SOUND OF MUSIC in her new video, she stunned the actress with a floral gift. The singer was inspired by Andrews' MARIA in the movie musical when she conjured up her yodelling sound and wimple look for new single WIND IT UP - and felt she should make sure the actress was OK with her homage. Andrews says, "She actually called and asked if I would mind if she used it." And the actress is more than impressed with Stefani's yodelling on the track: "She does a lot of good yodelling. She's great... She yodels better than I do. It's a wonderful video too." And when Andrews appeared on ELLEN DeGENERES' US talk show earlier this week (beg22JAN07), Stefani filled her dressing room with flowers.