Dax Shepard denies abuse allegations on podcast

Dax Shepard said on the November 9 episode of his Armchair Expert podcast that online allegations portraying him as controlling or abusive toward his wife, Kristen Bell, were deeply insulting. He denied yelling at Bell or their children and said the public discussion had affected both of them.

Shepard addressed the allegations after Bell described their relationship on an October 26 podcast episode. She said that, during dinners, he compliments servers as a way of flirting with her. Her examples included him praising a waiter or waitress’s eyes and eyelashes. The remarks drew online speculation about Shepard’s behavior toward Bell and other people.

Shepard said the comments had been misunderstood. He described his compliments as a way to make someone’s day and said they were part of how he flirts with Bell, rather than evidence that he was pursuing the people he praised. He also said the online narrative cast him as controlling, abusive and flirtatious in public, characterizations he rejected.

Addressing his conduct at home, Shepard said he grew up around men whose behavior he did not want to emulate. He said he had dedicated his life to being their opposite and did not yell at...