Kristen Bell is trying to contain the uproar over her “tone deaf” and “insensitive” wedding anniversary post.
Over the weekend, the Nobody Wants This actress paid an unusual Instagram tribute to her husband Dax Shapard as they celebrated 12 years of marriage.
“Happy 12th wedding anniversary to the man who once said to me: ‘I would never kill you.’” Bell, 45, wrote.
The Frozen star added that her husband had told her “a lot of men have killed their wives at a certain point,” but reassured her that he “would never” do the same, even though he might be “heavily incentivized to kill [her].”
The joke didn’t land well. Fans quickly called Bell’s post “wildly sad and insensitive,” especially since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“That’s a wildly sad and insensitive thing to say considering it’s domestic violence awareness month and thousands of women have died at the hands of the man they trusted,” one user commented.
Another added, “Posting this caption during domestic violence awareness month is unbelievably tone deaf.”
Amid the criticism, Bell swiftly limited comments on the post, but she has yet to address the backlash.
The Emmy-winning actress had admitted to Entertainment Tonight that she nearly forgot her own anniversary until a reporter reminded her at the Nobody Wants This Season 2 premiere on October 16 — a day before their special day.
“You know I don’t remember that. Oh, shoot. I’m so glad that you told me,” she said.
Bell and Shepard, who tied the knot in 2013, share two daughters, Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10.
