Kristen Bell has restricted comments on Instagram after critics called her message celebrating her and Dax Shepard’s 12th wedding anniversary “tone-deaf.”
On Monday, the “Nobody Wanted This” star shut down her critics in light of her controversial post over the weekend that read, “Happy 12th wedding anniversary to the person who once said to me, ‘I’m not going to kill you.'”
She recalled that the actor also said that “many men have killed their wives at some point,” but reassured her that he “would never do the same thing” despite being “strongly motivated to kill[her].”
Bell, 45, quickly came under fire from critics for highlighting October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“This is a very sad and insensitive statement considering it’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month and thousands of women are losing their lives at the hands of men they trusted…” one person wrote.
“FYI, posting this caption during Domestic Violence Awareness Month is incredibly tone-deaf :/ Think again,” another user countered.
“Oh wow… that’s such a weird thing to say 🧐,” a third person agreed.
Several others told Bell that abuse is not a topic to be taken lightly, writing that it was a “joke” for Bell to think the post was “sweet.”
Bell has not yet commented publicly on the controversy.
Meanwhile, the “Veronica Mars” alum almost forgot Friday was her and Shepard’s anniversary until she was reminded by an “Entertainment Tonight” reporter on the “No One Wanted This” season 2 premiere the day before.
While stopping to talk to reporters on the red carpet, she thanked reporters for reminding her, saying, “You know I don’t remember that. Oh, shoot. I’m really glad you told me.”
Despite not remembering the big day, Bell revealed she had planned a date night with Shepherd, 50, but she didn’t think Shepherd remembered the anniversary either.
Bell and the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcaster married in 2013.
The couple have two daughters, Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-7997233 or text “BEGIN” to 88788.