Kristen Bell was absent from her scheduled TV appearance just days after her controversial Instagram post marking her anniversary with Dax Shepard. Fans are left wondering if the absence is related to the backlash.
Kristen Bell’s recent absence from a scheduled TV appearance has left fans speculating about its connection to a controversial Instagram post. The actress, who is known for her candid humor and public displays of affection for her husband, Dax Shepard, has been at the center of online controversy after a post marking their twelfth wedding anniversary went viral for the wrong reasons.
The Controversial Instagram Post
On Friday, October 17, Bell shared a message on Instagram to celebrate her and Dax’s twelve years of marriage. The post featured a picture of the couple embracing, with Bell captioning it, “Happy 12th wedding anniversary to the man who once said to me: ‘I would never kill you. A lot of men have killed their wives at a certain point. Even though I’m heavily incentivized to kill you, I never would.’”
While the couple’s fans are familiar with their irreverent humor, this post, which referenced domestic violence, did not land well with everyone.
Some followers found the joke harmless, aligning with the couple’s usual quirky style, but others felt it was in poor taste. One Reddit user shared their discomfort, stating, “I get that it’s supposed to be funny, but I did not laugh.” The post was especially controversial as it was shared during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of domestic violence. A spokesperson from the National Network to End Domestic Violence expressed concern over the joke, saying there is “nothing funny” about domestic violence and that such humor trivializes the pain faced by survivors.
Kristen Bell’s Absence From the TODAY Show
Days after the Instagram post, Kristen Bell was scheduled to appear on NBC’s TODAY show on Wednesday, October 22, to promote her Netflix series Nobody Wants This. However, viewers were surprised to find that Bell was absent from the interview, and her co-star, Justine Lupe, appeared alone without any mention of Bell’s absence.
The reason for her missing appearance has yet to be addressed, leaving fans wondering if her absence is related to the backlash over her anniversary post. Prior to the interview, Bell had posted a photo of herself on a plane and shared clips of herself preparing for press appearances, giving the impression that she was still engaged with the promotion of the show.
The Show’s Premiere and Bell’s Press Tour
Despite the controversy, Nobody Wants This, which stars Bell as a Los Angeles podcaster, released its second season on October 23. The show follows Bell’s character as she unexpectedly falls in love with a newly single rabbi. Fans were eager to hear more about the show during Bell’s press tour, but her absence from the TODAY show raised questions about her current situation.
Bell had been active on social media leading up to the release, sharing her excitement about the new season. In one Instagram post, she teased her fans, saying, “I cannot wait to tell you about Season 2 of @Nobodywantsthisofficial!!”
UNILAD has reached out to NBC and Kristen Bell’s representatives for comment, but as of now, the reason for her absence remains unclear.
