"That's Flirting With Me": Kristen Bell's Explanation Of Why She Enjoys Dax Shepard Complimenting Other People Has Sparked A Whole Lot Of Reactions

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Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have never been exactly shy about sharing the intimate details of their marriage with the public. And now, thanks to yet another episode of Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, we know a little more about what gets Bell's heart racing.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell at Support+Feed Pickleball Invitational and Game Night, Los Angeles held at PIKL LA on June 06, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Apparently, it's watching her husband compliment other people's appearances. The revelation came during the Oct. 26 episode of Armchair Expert, which featured Bell alongside her Nobody Wants This co-stars Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, and Timothy Simons.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell attend the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.

While discussing the art of giving compliments, Bell explained that she can tell when Shepard is flirting with her...because he's directing his attention at someone else.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell attend the Go Campaign Gala honoring Wrexham Foundation at The Maybourne Beverly Hills on October 17, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.

"If we go to a dinner or something, like, there's a couple things Dax does where he doesn't have to look up and wink at me, but I know that he's just being the best boy," she says.

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard sitting in a podcast studio, each speaking into a microphone. One is wearing a graphic tee and cap, the other a casual long-sleeve top

"We'll be at dinner, and, like, he'll say to the waiter or waitress, he'll go, 'Wow, you have incredible eyelashes, gorgeous eyes, great, great job'."

Kristen Bell and Justine Lupe sitting on a couch in a podcast setting, both speaking into microphones, surrounded by pop culture decor

"That's flirting with her!" podcast cohost Monica Padman points out. "But that's flirting with me, because—" at this point, Brody briefly interrupts her smiling, "Because?"

Monica Padman animatedly speaking and pointing during a podcast recording, sitting in front of a microphone

"Because he just made someone else feel good," Bell continues. She explains that she doesn't feel threatened by these interactions because Shepard is unlikely to see the person ever again. "Cuz he's gonna have zero interaction with — let's say it is a girl. He's gonna have zero interaction with this girl for the rest of his life. The chances of him ever having another conversation with her are so microscopic," she says.

Adam Brody and Kristen Bell seated, speaking into microphones during a podcast recording

For her, the appeal is knowing that her husband is the kind of person who goes out of his way to make strangers feel good about themselves. "But to me, to know that my partner actively smiles at people, and gives them compliments."

Kristen Bell and Justine Lupe sitting on a couch, each speaking into a microphone during a podcast recording. Books and framed art are in the background

"You'll pull out a feature...that's how I know you're flirting with me, a lot," says Bell.

Kristen Bell and Justine Lupe sitting on a couch, speaking into microphones during a podcast recording. They appear engaged in conversation

In fact, she says watching him smile and compliment people actually turns her on. According to Bell, Shepard has never crossed a line or made her feel uncomfortable. "You've never done anything that's felt even borderline...you, like, you'll point out someone has great eyebrows, or great cheekbones..."

Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell at the TIME100 Gala held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2025 in New York, New York.

She also recalled a time when he complimented their friend Heather Taylor's eyebrows, telling her they were the best he'd ever seen. Shepard explained that he had noticed something nobody had commented on. "That's why it makes me fluttery inside. That's why it gives me butterflies," Bell explains.

Kristen Bell in a casual blue sweater speaking into a microphone in a recording studio

"Because everyone saw it, he's the only one that said it, maybe she hadn't had a compliment today. And I'm with the guy that's pouring compliments on people? Making people feel good?"

Kristen Bell in a casual blue sweater speaking into a microphone in a recording studio

Shepard, meanwhile, clarified that he does have some boundaries when it comes to compliments about appearance: Lips are off limits.

Dax Shepard in a casual setting, wearing a cap and graphic T-shirt, gesturing while speaking into a microphone during a podcast or interview

Incidentally, one Reddit user pointed out that there is a scene in the new season of Nobody Wants This in which Bell's sister's character, played by Lupe, "is offering an example of why her ex was terrible — the example is that they went out to dinner and her husband at the time told the waitress she had beautiful lips."

Kristen Bell and Justine Lupe in season 3 of Netflix's "Nobody Wants This," scene in which they are receiving pedicures in a salon, sitting in massage chairs, chatting and relaxing

Of course, anyone familiar with Bell and Shepard's relationship dynamic over the years knows that the pair has a habit of sharing details about their marriage that fuel internet discourse. Last October, for example, Bell caught flak for making light of domestic violence with an anniversary tribute in which she recalled Shepard joking that he would never kill her despite being "heavily incentivized" to do so.

A humorous message from Kristen Bell celebrating her12th wedding anniversary to Dax Shepard with a playful reference to a "Dateline" episode

And earlier this year, Cher made headlines when she told Shepard to his face that she thought Bell could do better than him. "The truth is, I trust her," Cher told Shepard on an episode of his podcast after he asked who her dream partner choice for Bell would be. "So you must have something that I don't see."

Cher with long dark hair wearing a bandana and speaking into a microphone while seated on a couch

Their relationship even became a talking point in a February essay published by The Cut titled "I Love My Husband (Who Hates Me)," which examined women who publicly defended their partner's questionable behavior, with several friends of the couple pushing back against the criticism, including Monica Padman and Justine Lupe.

Comments criticizing the portrayal of a woman as lacking agency and confidence, urging more equality and communicative relationships

Shepard himself has addressed the speculation about their marriage, insisting in April that Bell has complete autonomy in their relationship.

Dax Shepard with tattoos wearing a casual t-shirt and shorts, speaking into a microphone in a room with books and a globe on a shelf

All of this is to say, it's unsurprising that this latest "revelation" has inspired another round of feedback online, with one user on X writing, "I’ve never wanted two people to divorce so badly" and another adding, "There's no way a normal person hears this and isn't begging her to file for divorce."

"I’ve never wanted two people to divorce so badly."

The feedback was no kinder on Reddit, where one user called Bell's choice to remain with Shepard "a humiliation ritual," another labeling the pair's relationship "emotionally abusive," and a third simply writing, "leave him or leave us out of it."

Comments discuss advice on leaving emotionally abusive relationships

There were many requests, actually, to "keep us out of it."

Tweet expressing frustration over Kristen Bell discussing her husband's flirting habits on his podcast

Not everyone thought the story was alarming, however. "She likes seeing him be charismatic!" wrote a user on X. "A very regular thing." A few others thought "it was cute."

Tweet questioning why people are upset, suggesting it’s normal to appreciate charisma

After 13 years of marriage, maybe everyone can trust the couple to know what works best for them.

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