Dax Shepard has denied claims that he is “controlling” and “abusive” towards his wife, Kristen Bell, calling the speculation “deeply insulting” to her.
He addressed the matter on the 9 November episode of Armchair Expert.
The backlash began after Bell appeared on the podcast on 26 October and described how her husband compliments people at restaurants.
Read more: Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard’s marriage meets new scandal on social media
She recalled him telling a server: “Wow, you have incredible eyelashes, gorgeous eyes, great job.” Bell said she read the gestures as flirting with her, because she enjoys watching him be kind.
Online critics then described the behaviour as disrespectful, and called it emotional abuse and manipulation.
Shepard said people had misunderstood her comments.
He said the attention “hit Kristen’s doorstep really hard.” He argued that the speculation suggested she was modelling an abusive relationship for their daughters, which he called insulting.
He rejected the label of “controlling, abusive” and said he does not flirt with people in public. He said he does not yell at his children or swear at them, and does not yell at his wife either.
Shepard explained that he often compliments people, including men and servers, to brighten their day. He offered $10 million to any server who could show he had given them his number or hit on them.
He also said the repeated accusations make him wonder whether being called “a terrible man” will become his public identity.
The couple married in 2013.
Read more: Dax Shepard reveals biggest challenge in marriage to Kristen Bell
