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Dax Shepard has had enough of the talk surrounding his marriage to Kristen Bell. In the last episode of Armchair expertShepard is fighting back against critics who claim he is “abusive” to his wife. “Another time I was a terrible person in the media, and I avoided that,” he began. “But then Kristen got hit really hard and then I got to find out everything people are saying about me.” Two weeks ago, Bell playfully shared that she knew Shepard was flirting with her when he started complimenting other people. This came with confusion, because in most marriages this kind of foreplay can feel more like an insult. Shepard called the narrative surrounding the anecdote “bizarre” because he believes people now see him as a “controlling and abusive” husband. “I find this deeply insulting to my wife,” he added. “What is she, she’s sitting in a house with her two daughters and modeling an abusive relationship? It’s very offensive to her.”
He also clarified what Bell meant when she said he liked to compliment people for flirting with her. “I think she phrased it in a way that is easily confusing to people,” he said. “Because we say, I flirt with Kristen by tipping people a lot. And I flirt with Kristen by complimenting people.” He says he’s not flirting with “hot young waitresses” but is actually performing an act of service. “I find the guy who I think hasn’t gotten a compliment in a while and I tell him I like his shoes. He’s always someone I want to make his day,” he explained. “She likes to have a partner who is kind and who compliments others and doesn’t hide from doing so.”
He now worries that his “role” in the media is that of a “terrible man” because of the public reaction to their relationship. Shepard concluded, “This makes me want to leave.” If you were a waiter hoping for a nice compliment from Dax, you might be out of luck.
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