‘Gaslighting’ and ‘black out’ fights: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard’s ‘volatile’ marriage laid bare by insiders

When it comes to Hollywood couples, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are iconic.

Fans have loved this celebrity couple—together since 2007—for their playful connection, open discussions about the challenges of marriage, and honest approach to parenting.

Bell often shares personal details about her relationship on Instagram, and a recent post celebrating her 12th wedding anniversary might have crossed the line for some.

To celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary, Bell shared a photo of her and her husband hugging. The caption included a quote from him: ‘I would never kill you. Sadly, a lot of men have killed their wives. Even though I have reasons to, I never would.’

Bell, age 45, faced criticism online after fans noticed she had made a joke about her husband during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Instantly, her message was blasted as ‘tone deaf’ and ‘insensitive’ in the comments section. 

People also pointed out that Bell and Shepard have faced criticism for their comments about their relationship before.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell often share very personal stories – from funny details about their daughters to playful comments about their relationship – in interviews and on their podcasts, even if they’re mostly joking around.

Despite appearing happy in public, the couple’s 12-year marriage has reportedly faced significant challenges. Sources say Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have had intense arguments and struggled with his addiction, putting their relationship at risk. They share two daughters, Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10.

Initially, the actress’s Instagram post appeared to be a harmless joke. According to a source who spoke with the Daily Mail, Kristen Bell probably didn’t expect her anniversary post to cause a negative reaction.

According to a source, she has a quirky sense of humor that can be surprisingly funny, but she often lacks awareness of how her words affect others and doesn’t hesitate to say whatever’s on her mind.

She and Dax both found the post amusing, but she didn’t expect the strong negative reaction it would receive. While it may have seemed insensitive, those who know Kristen understand that it simply reflects her personality.

However, a second insider has claimed there may be some truth behind her candid caption.

According to a source, Kristen and Dax are both quick to anger and often argue over minor things.

Kristen and Dax often playfully tease each other, but sometimes one of them takes it the wrong way. Despite their quirky relationship, they always seem to resolve things and make up.

During the very first episode of Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast in 2018, guest Kristen Bell revealed that she and her husband had been arguing and getting on each other’s nerves during the conversation.

Shepard playfully imitated Bell’s tendency to nag, and she jokingly called him annoying, pointing out that he was interrupting her.

It’s normal for couples to argue, but according to one source, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell sometimes won’t speak to each other for days after a big fight.

However, they still manage to ‘keep their kids in the dark about their arguments,’ the source said.

In 2020, they had a very heated argument that caused her to become overwhelmed and disconnect from her husband for three days.

She described a very intense argument with Shepard, saying they were both yelling at the top of their lungs, during a conversation on Justin Long’s Life Is Short podcast.

She said it was about needing assistance with tasks around the home. “We’re in a relationship where you should feel comfortable asking for help,” she explained.

‘I left a note and I was like, “Hey dad! Would you mind taking the two towels in the dryer and folding them” and then like one other thing,’ Bell recalled. 

I realized it would only take about ten minutes, so I agreed to do it. By then, I was really starting to feel overwhelmed by everything – keeping up with the house, the kids growing out of their clothes, just all of it.

Shepard thought the message was overly controlling, which led to a heated argument about a lack of mutual support, according to Bell.

We both lost control and started arguing. I don’t remember the details, but it was a very loud and intense fight with a lot of angry yelling.

I angrily grabbed my pillow and ran to the front room, where I cried. We didn’t speak to each other for three days.

It’s understandable that not communicating as parents of young children could create challenges.

Bell shared on the podcast that despite arguing, they were still able to figure out how to get their daughters to school.

The couple finally reconciled when Shepard agreed to adopt a rescue dog named Frank. Bell was surprised by this, as Shepard is allergic to dogs.

‘I didn’t get an apology, but I got a dog!’ she added.

Bell and Shepard, like many couples, have attended therapy periodically over the past ten years. According to one source, therapy has been crucial in helping them maintain their relationship.

‘Couple’s therapy has been the main reason that they haven’t broken up,’ the third insider said.

Oh my god, Dax’s history with addiction is just… so real. And honestly, therapy? It’s like he’s replaced one addiction with something actually healthy! It’s the thing that lets him and Kristen even work, you know? They really need it to navigate their relationship, to understand each other. If they stop going, I honestly don’t know if they’d make it. They have to keep working on themselves, together, or it’s over. It’s just so clear how vital it is for them!

‘Their relationship is something they always have to work on, but they root for each other.’

In a June 2024 podcast interview with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson, Kristen Bell shared that she and Dax Shepard began couples therapy very early in their relationship – within the first six months of dating.

‘We went to therapy a lot our first and second year, because we’re both really stubborn,’ she said.

Shepard has said in the past that therapy helped him and Bell build a successful relationship, allowing them to live together harmoniously.

Being stuck together during the COVID-19 pandemic caused their relationship to become increasingly strained and argumentative.

In January 2021, Kristen Bell shared with People that she and her husband, Dax, realized they could benefit from some couples therapy when the pandemic began. They felt their marriage needed a little strengthening at the time.

From time to time, we find ourselves arguing a lot and realize we don’t want to be fighting.

We’re working through therapy to understand how we can both improve and better support each other, and ultimately work together more effectively as a team. It’s been really beneficial.

Surely, therapy can be a helpful tool in navigating a relationship that is in the spotlight.

Kristen Bell first gained attention in the early 2000s starring in the teen series Veronica Mars. However, she became widely known for voicing Anna in Disney’s Frozen in 2013 and for her role as Eleanor Shellstrop in the NBC comedy The Good Place.

Last year, Bell received an Emmy nomination for her work on the Netflix series Nobody Wants This. The show’s second season will be available starting October 23rd.

Beyond discussions of their disagreements, rumors have circulated about the couple’s relationship, including past speculation – which they have refuted – that Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell practice ‘swinging’.

In September 2024, Dax Shepard addressed and denied rumors about having an open relationship with his wife, Kristen Bell, during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.

Shepard explained that a tabloid published a sensational story claiming he and his wife were involved in swinging and hosted parties for others who engaged in the lifestyle.

The funniest part was all the texts we received afterward from friends asking why they hadn’t been invited to the party.

Despite everything, the couple playfully refer to their relationship with Shepard’s podcast partner and their previous nanny, Monica Padman, as a ‘three-way marriage’.

You know, people often ask me about Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell’s relationship, and I’ve had to explain that things were a little unconventional at first. Back in 2021, when Jimmy Kimmel jokingly asked if I was the ‘third wheel,’ I clarified that we were actually in a polyamorous relationship – a marriage involving all three of us.

When Kimmel asked if there was any sexual aspect to the situation, Dax responded with a disappointed, ‘Sadly, no.’

Together, Padman and Shepard launched their popular Armchair Expert podcast in 2018. 

The podcast usually features long, detailed interviews with famous people, but Dax Shepard also uses it to honestly discuss his experiences with overcoming addiction.

Oh my gosh, I was devastated when I heard this! I’ve been following Kristoff St. John – I mean, Shepard – for years, and I was so proud of his journey getting clean back in 2004. Then, in 2020, he just… opened up about falling off the wagon after sixteen years of being sober. It was so brave of him to share, but honestly, it just broke my heart. It felt so personal, you know?

He shared with his fans that he had been sober for only seven days, explaining he’d been taking pain medication after being injured in a motorcycle accident.

He confessed to feeling deeply guilty about keeping such a large secret and apologized for misleading both Bell and Padman.

He explained that he felt awful about having lied, admitting he was simply frightened and incredibly lonely at the time.

Despite his relapse, Bell has continued to support her husband throughout his 21-year journey.

Staying true to her style, she shared the news of his latest sobriety achievement on Instagram.

Bell shared a heartwarming Instagram post celebrating 21 years of sobriety, featuring a photo of her and Dax Shepard kissing, alongside pictures of Shepard embracing their daughters.

So much love and gratitude! Thank you, @daxshepard, for your commitment to sobriety. It means the world to so many of us.

The Daily Mail reached out to representatives for Shepard and Bell for a response, but they haven’t received one yet.

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2025-10-22 23:06