Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are two of the funniest actors in Hollywood and they're close to celebrating their 10 year wedding anniversary. But behind the Hollywood glamor and media headlines, the couple has admitted to struggling in their marriage, with Shepard at one time calling it a 'disaster'.
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These types of declarations are rare amongst celebrities who are often reluctant to discuss their marriage woes, instead choosing to make their lives seem picture perfect. But for Bell and Shepard, they've made it a a shared goal to be candid about their relationship while discussing the key to making it all work.
Keeping it Real
In an interview with ITV, Bell, 42 and Shepard, 46 sat down to discuss their marriage and how they make active choices to improve it each and every day. The pair, who met back in 2007 at a dinner party dated for two years before officially becoming engaged in 2009. However, they decided to postpone marriage until same-sex marriage became legalized in the state of California.
They finally tied the knot in 2013 and have two children, Lincoln Bell Shepard and Delta Bell Shepard.
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Shepard, most noted for his roles in comedies like Old Dogs and When in Rome, joked, "The marriage is a disaster but when we work together it's very harmonious." The pair are currently co-hosting NBC's Family Game Night.
Bell shared her reservations about keeping her marriage struggles a secret. "It felt very inauthentic to pretend like it's easy, because it's not, it is so hard," said Bell. "It's a beat down," added Shepard.
So, how does the couple maintain their relationship despite their differences?
Two Simple Words That Make For a Great Marriage
Kristen Bell has shared that her biggest advice to couples out there is to "Stay vulnerable." In an interview with ET, Bell said, "You've gotta be vulnerable," and says that she and her husband have learned to be vulnerable even when they don't want to be.
Is that the magic solution to a healthy marriage? Not exactly. The saviour for the marriage has been therapy. "We need a bigger toolbox — everyone's born with a tiny toolbox — so we went to therapy, we figured out how to disagree but still love each other," Bell says.
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The actress, who rose to fame for her role in the hit TV series Veronica Mars, says that it became embarrassingly simple for the couple's therapist to pinpoint the source of their marital problems after listening to them argue for six minutes.
The couple also discussed their 'toolboxes' on the first episode of Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, co-hosted with Monica Padman. Today, they have learned to 'grow towards' one another, while understanding that they have individual needs that stem from their diverse upbringings.
Why Vulnerability Matters
Social media has undoubtedly given the impression that long-lasting Hollywood marriages are easy work. While some couples, like George and Amal Clooney have said that they've never experienced an argument in their 10-year marriage, this isn't always the case for all celebrities.
Kristen Bell had a wake up call to be more vulnerable with the public, and it happened in the most unexpected way. After seeing themselves posted on social media constantly under the popular hashtag, "#relationshipgoals", she and Shepard began to wonder if they were a part of the problem.
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Afraid of deceiving their fans, Shepard said, "We were afraid someone thinks they're gonna meet their Kristen Bell and it's all going to be easy. We just wanted to say it is awesome and it requires daily work."
They even likened a marriage to going to the gym. "If you want to change and get a six pack...you have to do the work."
Now, Bell is no longer afraid of addressing therapy and completely ignores all of the stigma that comes with it. "I am not at all embarrassed to say I go to therapy, solo or with him," she says. "I almost feel like, if you're not in therapy, that's embarrassing."
Why It's Okay to Need Help
No matter how many years you've been together, whether you're a celebrity or not, marriage is not an easy journey. But if you and your partner are dedicated to finding common ground and understanding one another's needs, the rewards can be great.
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Getting outside help is absolutely okay, and it can improve your relationship in ways that you've never imagined, but the important first step, as seen with Shepard and Bell is to be vulnerable, and admit that your current toolbox might not be enough.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.