Kristen Bell has sparked an online debate after revealing the unconventional way her husband, Dax Shepard, flirts with her during their everyday interactions.
The actress, 46, explained that Shepard makes her feel butterflies by complimenting other people, particularly waiters and waitresses, a comment that has left several people confused.
The confession has drawn mixed reactions, with some fans praising Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard for seemingly being kind to service workers, while others criticized the practice as odd.
Kristen Bell Says Dax Shepard Flirts With Her By Complimenting Others
Bell shared the unusual insight into her marriage during the October 26 episode of Shepard’s podcast, “Armchair Expert.”
She appeared alongside her “Nobody Wants This” season three co-stars Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, and Timothy Simons.
During the conversation, Bell explained that her husband frequently flirts with her by directing compliments toward other people when they are out together.
“We’ll be at dinner and like he’ll say to the waiter or waitress, he’ll go, ‘Wow, you have incredible eyelashes, gorgeous eyes. Great, great job,’” she said.
According to Bell, Shepard does not need to exchange a knowing glance with her afterward for the gesture to have its intended effect.
“He doesn’t have to look up and wink at me, but I know that he’s just being the best boy,” she explained, per The Daily Beast.
Her description appeared to confuse several people in the studio, including Brody and Shepard’s co-host, Monica Padman, who questioned how complimenting a server could count as flirting with his wife.
Bell insisted that the gesture was precisely what made her feel connected to him. “That’s flirting with me, because he just made someone else feel good,” she said.
She added that the compliments were meaningful because Shepard was unlikely to encounter those individuals again, making the interaction an opportunity to brighten someone’s day without expecting anything in return.
Fans Question The Couple’s Unconventional Approach to Flirting
While Bell described her husband’s behavior as thoughtful and romantic, many social media users were less convinced.
A viral post on Threads with over 23,000 likes shared the actress’s comments, with the caption, “Nah because WTF. Someone get her out. I’ve heard enough.”
This led to a flood of reactions, with a fan writing, “Kristen, honey, I don’t know if you know this, but you are in the bad place.”
The comment was in reference to Bell’s hit comedy show, “The Good Place,” implying that the actress was living in the show’s fictional version of hell, known as the Bad Place.
Another user offered a blunt reaction, writing, “Convincing your wife that you flirting with the waitress is somehow actually flirting with you is next-level gaslighting.”
One individual shared a deeper take on the matter based on their experience in the service industry.
They wrote, “I was a waitress for many years. If some dude said this to me while I was working, let alone while he’s sitting with his wife?! I’d be incredibly uncomfortable – the last thing it would do is ‘make me feel good.’”
However, the actress also received support, with some fans noting that Shepard’s comments were non-sexual and that Bell is fine with them.
- Kristen Bell came under fire after saying she “cries weekly” due to parenting struggles.
- The actress opened up about the “brutal” struggle of raising her kids through puberty.
- Bell came under fire over an “insensitive” anniversary post about her husband.
- The actress’s silence was branded “brutally ugly” after her “tone-deaf” post.
- Dax Shepard credits Jason Bateman for encouraging him to propose to Bell.
Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell’s Marriage Has Faced Previous Backlash
The latest discussion is not the first time Bell and Shepard’s relationship has attracted online criticism. The actress faced backlash in 2025 after sharing an anniversary tribute to her husband.
“Happy 12th wedding anniversary to the man who once said to me: ‘I would never kill you. A lot of men have killed their wives at a certain point. Even though I’m heavily incentivized to kill you, I never would,” she wrote.
The caption was intended as a humorous reference to a comment Shepard had previously made, but many followers reacted negatively.
Several accused the actress at the time of being insensitive, noting that she made the joke during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The backlash eventually led to Bell turning off the post’s comments. She also never directly addressed the incident.
The Actress Says She Cries ‘Weekly’ Due To ‘Brutal’ Parenting Struggles
Bell also recently drew scrutiny after opening up about her struggles with parenting her daughters, claiming that it’s been challenging as the kids go through puberty.
“It’s hard. Do not think because I am on your television that it is easy for me. It’s brutal,” she said in an interview with Bustle, adding, “I cry weekly.”
Bell went on to describe the experience as overwhelming, saying that parents tend to feel that only the children are going through a difficult period, while ignoring their own struggles.
“My cognitive labor, much like yours, is an absolute burnout,” she noted. According to Bell, she was sharing her experience so other parents would know they are not alone.
Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard’s Relationship Dates Back Nearly Two Decades
Bell and Shepard first met in 2007 at a mutual friend’s birthday party. They then married in 2013 at the Beverly Hills courthouse and share two daughters, Lincoln, 13, and Delta, 11.
Over the years, the pair have frequently discussed their relationship publicly, including its challenges, their parenting experiences, and the work involved in maintaining a long-term marriage.
Their willingness to speak candidly about private matters has helped make them familiar figures in celebrity conversations, but it has also exposed their relationship to intense public scrutiny.