Kristen Bell is facing backlash after an Instagram post celebrating her 12th wedding anniversary with husband Dax Shepard drew heavy criticism from fans. The post included a photo of the couple and a caption quoting Shepard joking, “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.”
The quote immediately set off a wave of criticism online, with many calling it “tone deaf” and “insensitive,” especially since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Shortly after the controversy erupted, Bell limited comments on the post, which many saw as a sign that she was trying to control the backlash.
While some fans and celebrity friends like Terry Crews and Howie Mandel found the post funny and said it reflected the couple’s offbeat humor, others strongly disagreed. Many followers felt the timing was inappropriate and that using violence as a punchline, even in jest, was in poor taste.
In an interview just days before the post, Bell mentioned she had almost forgotten her anniversary until a reporter reminded her on the red carpet. She laughed it off, saying that she and Dax “aren’t great with dates.” That moment now contrasts sharply with the response to her online post, which many believe crossed a line.
This situation highlights how easily celebrity posts can spark controversy when humor touches on sensitive topics. What may have been an inside joke between Bell and Shepard did not land well with the public, especially during a month dedicated to raising awareness about domestic abuse.
So far, Kristen Bell has not issued an apology or edited the caption, but the limited comments suggest she’s aware of the reaction. Whether she chooses to address it publicly remains to be seen.
