Kristen Bell Found Dax Shepard's 'Disgusting' Move 'Really Hot' And Fell In Love, Podcaster Reveals
As Dax Shepard denies claims of being 'abusive' and 'controlling', details of his unusual meet-cute with wife Kristen Bell have resurfaced.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleKristen Bell and Dax Shepard's marriage has faced growing scrutiny, with social media users dissecting their public comments and interactions for signs of trouble. Recent online speculation has gone further, with some describing Shepard as 'abusive' and 'controlling', claims which he has strongly denied.
Recently, podcaster Laura Brodnik offered a glimpse into the couple's unusual love story, revealing the surprising moment that reportedly made the actress fall for Shepard. Their unconventional meet-cute involved a piece of chewed gum, and while some might find the gesture disgusting, Bell apparently found it incredibly attractive.
Kristen Bell found Dax Shepard's 'disgusting' gesture 'really hot'
During a recent episode of The Spill podcast, host Laura Brodnik recalled how Bell and Shepard's romance began in 2007 after they met at a hockey game. According to Brodnik, the actor made an unusual request after noticing Bell chewing gum. Brodnik shared the story with her co-host Em Vernem, explaining that Bell was chewing gum when Shepard asked if he could have some. She recalled:
"Bell was chewing gum. And Dax was like, 'Can I get a hit of that?' And she was like, 'Well, I don't have another piece.' And he's like, 'I'll take that.' And he took the gum out of her mouth and started chewing it in his mouth."
Brodnik says the Nobody Wants This actress was unexpectedly attracted to the gesture and soon fell for Shepard. Vernem, however, was far less impressed by the story. Reacting with visible disgust, she jokingly asked whether Shepard had followed the encounter by suggesting they attend couples counselling.
The unusual anecdote quickly prompted reactions on social media, with several listeners describing the interaction as 'disgusting', 'gross' and 'vile'. One user even called it "aggressively gross", while another joked that the couple's relationship sounded like "a car crash from the start". Some commenters also questioned the dynamics of their relationship, with one suggesting they were "convinced that's a hostage situation". Others, however, pointed out that Bell might simply enjoy Shepard's unconventional behavior.
The story is not entirely new. Bell herself previously recalled the unusual encounter during a 2024 appearance on SiriusXM's Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson. The actress confirmed that Shepard had asked for her gum and then taken it directly from her mouth. Bell recalled at the time:
"I kind of coyly took it out of my mouth. And he grabbed it from me, and he goes, 'I'll take it.' Then he put it in his mouth, and I was like, 'This guy wants to f*** me.' [After] that I was absolutely smitten."
Dax Shepard denies being 'abusive' and 'controlling' towards Kristen Bell
The renewed interest in the couple's unusual love story comes after Shepard addressed the backlash surrounding his marriage during an episode of his Armchair Expert podcast. The actor said he initially tried to ignore the criticism but became upset when it began affecting Bell.
The controversy partly stemmed from Bell's comments about her husband's unusual way of flirting. During an earlier podcast appearance, she explained that Shepard often compliments restaurant staff when they are out together. She gave an example of him praising a server's eyelashes or eyes, explaining that she sees the gesture as a way of making someone feel good.
Bell said, "That's flirting with me because he just made someone else feel good."
However, some social media users interpreted the behavior differently, prompting Shepard to clarify that he often compliments men and women simply to brighten their day. He also said the accusations were particularly painful because he grew up around abusive men and had dedicated his life to behaving differently.
This is not the first time the couple's comments about their marriage have sparked debate online. In October 2025, Bell faced backlash after sharing a wedding anniversary tribute that included a dark joke attributed to Shepard. In the post, she recalled him promising that he would never kill her, despite joking that many men had killed their wives.
Shepard and Bell have been married for 13 years now, and they are raising two daughters, Lincoln, 13, and Delta, 11. While their unusual gum-filled meet-cute may have been romantic to Bell, the resurfaced story has certainly divided listeners.
What's your take on this unusual meet-cute story?
Image courtesy: Instagram
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