Dax Shepard Details “Deep Fear” Before Kristen Bell Relationship

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Dax Shepard wasn’t in a good place ahead of his romance with Kristen Bell.

Oh my gosh, Dax just talked about Briegh on his podcast, and it was so raw! They were together for nine years, nine years! He was saying how completely heartbroken he was when they split, and how it genuinely made him scared to open up and fall in love again. It was honestly a little painful to listen to, but I’m so glad they talked about it. You can just feel how much that relationship meant to him.

Dax admitted the split was difficult, and for a time, he worried he’d never experience that kind of love again. He shared on his YouTube series, Mom’s Car, that he was genuinely afraid he’d never feel as strongly for anyone else as he had for Briegh.

Fifty-year-old Dax didn’t think he’d find love again, but he was happy that his ex-partner had, with Marvel executive Brad Winderbaum.

He admitted to feeling lost and confused for a time after the breakup. Despite being in an open relationship, he didn’t experience feeling truly single. More than anything, he hoped she would find someone new to love.

“I gave it a lot of thought,” he went on. “I was really hoping you’d find someone you could love again. I especially remember being so pleased for Brad.”

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always believed in supporting loved ones’ happiness, and that’s exactly how I felt when Dax found love with Kristen – they married in 2013, which was wonderful! I made it a point to ensure my friendship with Dax didn’t interfere with their relationship; their happiness was the most important thing.

I was careful not to offend Kristen,” Briegh explained. “I didn’t want to overstep or upset her.

You know, as a parent, it’s amazing how quickly bonds form. My husband, Dax, and I have two daughters, Lincoln and Delta, and he’s shared with me that when he and I first started blending our families, he was a little surprised by how close our kids became right away. It was a sweet observation, really – seeing them connect so naturally.

He remembered Kristen initially reacting with surprise, saying she didn’t stay friends with any of her former partners. He then shared that he, on the other hand, was still friendly with most of his exes.

Dax feels a strong connection with his ex-partner because he sees similarities between her and Kristen.

What I really admire about both of you is your ability to hold your own beliefs while still being open to hearing and understanding other perspectives. It’s something I haven’t seen in many people. You’re both flexible and willing to consider new ideas, which is incredibly important to me, especially as Kristen and I celebrate 12 years of marriage.

He expressed deep admiration for both of them, saying it was unusual to find that in a partner, and shared his strong affection for them. He went on to call them one of the best ever and said he was happy with how their lives had come together.

To look back on Dax and Kristen’s romance, keep reading…

 
 

Dax remembers being immediately struck by Kristen when he first saw her at a birthday party in 2007 – he thought she seemed to sparkle! They met again by chance at a hockey game a couple of weeks later and decided to start dating, feeling like it was meant to be.

As the saying goes, opposites attract, and that certainly seems to be the case for this couple. Dax admitted his past as a playboy gave Kristen pause, but she playfully described them to Good Housekeeping as being like the song ‘Opposites Attract’ by Paula Abdul – a perfect match despite their differences.

They became engaged in late 2009 while filming When In Rome. Surrounded by the romantic atmosphere of Italy, their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a real-life romance, mirroring the storyline of their movie.

Kristen once said in an interview that a good cuddle can solve any problem, recalling a sentiment about her relationship with Dax from 2010.

In 2013, the couple married in a low-key ceremony at a Beverly Hills courthouse. They had first shared their wedding plans on Twitter earlier that year. Many fans found their decision to skip a lavish wedding particularly endearing, adding to the romantic appeal of their relationship.

I was so thrilled when Kristen and Dax welcomed their daughter, Lincoln, in March 2013! Kristen is such a devoted mom, and she’s made it very clear she’s incredibly protective of Lincoln’s privacy. She even jokingly warned anyone thinking of trying to snap a photo of her little girl – let’s just say they wouldn’t have a good time!

In December 2014 the couple had their second daughter, Delta.

Kristen Bell revealed in a May 2015 interview with Good Housekeeping that she and her husband go to couples counseling when they face challenges, emphasizing that “Therapy is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Kristen Bell started using Instagram in 2016 and her first post was a close-up photo of her kissing her husband.

The two looked just as in love as ever at the premiere of Dax’s new movie Chips in March 2017.

NEXT GALLERY: Julianne Hough & Brooks Laich: Romance Rewind

They two celebrated the 2017 Fourth of July holiday in style.

This couple consistently shows they’re relatable, just like any other. They’re honest about working on their relationship with counseling and admit they have disagreements. But through it all, they maintain respect for each other. Kristen recently shared her thoughts on Instagram, explaining that the strongest form of love is accepting someone completely, flaws and all. She also emphasized the importance of supporting your partner’s happiness and allowing them to pursue their own passions.

Couples who can laugh and be playful with each other tend to have lasting relationships. This couple frequently shares funny photos online, like the time they created amazing costumes for a *Peaky Blindersthemed birthday party – they absolutely nailed it!

In 2025, Kristen marked Dax’s 50th birthday by sharing a collection of sweet and loving photos of them together.

She wished her loving husband a happy birthday, calling him her everything and saying she couldn’t picture her life without him.

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2025-10-21 19:51