Dax Shepard Addresses Backlash over Kristen Bell Anniversary Post
Dax Shepard spoke this week about online backlash tied to an anniversary Instagram post from Kristen Bell. The comments grew from an Oct. 17 message Bell shared celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary.
What sparked the controversy
Bell referenced a line she and Shepard have used privately after watching an episode of Dateline. Some followers said the caption made light of domestic violence. Critics noted the post came during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
Shepard’s response on Armchair Expert
Shepard addressed the reaction on the April 6 episode of his Armchair Expert podcast. He spoke with guest Nikki Glaser and pushed back against claims that he abuses his wife.
He said people who have never been in relationships often misread private jokes. Shepard added that both he and Bell grew up around domestic violence, which informed his perspective.
On timing and awareness
Shepard said he only learned about the uproar about a week and a half after the post. Bell learned about it through her publicist, he said, and she did not initially tell him.
Support, criticism and online reaction
Comedian Nikki Glaser defended the couple on the podcast. She described the anniversary caption as an inside joke between partners.
Some celebrity friends offered support publicly. Actor Terry Crews replied to the post with praise.
- Other commenters criticized the message as insensitive.
- One critical comment received more than 55,000 likes.
- The official Dateline Instagram account noted it had taken a screenshot of the post.
Other moments discussed
Shepard also addressed coverage of an interview he conducted with Cher. He said he was not offended by Cher’s remarks. Shepard added that he shared the segment because he found it funny.
The actor recounted a mix-up with his mother. She called to praise him for a different story about offering to help freeze his daughter’s eggs.
Where to get help
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
You can also text START to 88788 for confidential support and resources.
