Kristen Bell accused of downplaying domestic violence in ‘tone-deaf’ anniversary post to husband Dax Shepard

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Kristen Bell is facing backlash online for what she wrote in her “tone-deaf” anniversary post to her husband, Dax Shepard.

On Saturday, Bell, 45, shared an Instagram photo of the couple hugging on their bed, with the caption, “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.’ ❤️.”

Kristen Bell’s anniversary tribute post to Dax Shepard. kristenanniebell/Instagram

In the comments section, fans accused Bell of making light of domestic violence.

“Kristen there’s no way you posted this during domestic violence awareness month 😭,” one follower wrote.

“just an fyi, posting this caption during domestic violence awareness month is unbelievably tone deaf :/ please reconsider,” someone else said.

Bell at the “Nobody Wants This” Season 2 premiere on Oct. 16 in Los Angeles. WireImage

“Please don’t joke about domestic violence. Please keep in mind that this is something real that lots of people suffer on a daily basis,” a different person told Bell.

A fourth fan said, “How can any self respecting woman stay with a man who ‘jokes’ like that? I’m not even a very serious person, but that would have me leaving so fast your head would spin.”

“What an odd thing to say,” another comment read.

“Girl this did NOT land the way you thought it would and now all of us are questioning why you’re with this man,” another critic wrote.

Shepard and Bell at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards in September. Getty Images

Bell and Shepard in a selfie posted on Instagram in January. Instagram/Kristen Bell

But other followers defended Bell and her message.

“it was just a joke, my goodness,” a comment read.

“Can everyone just stop! It’s clearly their sense of humor. If you don’t like it, move along,” a different fan wrote.

The Post has reached out to Bell and Shepard’s reps for comment.

Shepard and Bell at the annual Go Gala honoring the Wrexham AFC Foundation in Los Angeles on Oct. 17. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

The “Good Place” alum married Shepard, 50, on Oct. 17, 2013. They have daughters Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10.

While doing press at the “Nobody Wants This” Season 2 red-carpet premiere on Thursday, Bell was reminded that her anniversary to Shepard was coming up.

“Is… the… oh my God, it’s my anniversary!” she said to an Entertainment Tonight reporter. “You know I don’t remember that. Oh shoot, I’m so glad that you told me.”

Bell at the “Nobody Wants This” FYSEE LA screening on June 1. Variety via Getty Images

“It helps that he doesn’t remember, either,” she added of her husband. “And no one’s at fault here, right? We’re just not great with dates.”

Bell also teased the couple’s anniversary plans.

Shepard and Bell kiss in a selfie posted on her Instagram in January. Instagram/Kristen Bell

“I don’t know if making mac and cheese counts as prepping for the anniversary. But we are having a date night tomorrow, so we can celebrate,” she said.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.