Kristen Bell covers the August issue of Redbook. They put her in some fug preppy outfits for the editorial and I get that she gives off that midwest Girl Next Door vibe, but there are classier ways to do preppy. In the photo of her in the striped shirt they photoshopped her eyes so much she looks like a husky. Her interview touches on several of her go-to topics, which makes sense as journalists know what to ask. She discusses mental health and wellness – she’s been open about her battle with anxiety and depression – and her relationship with husband, Dax Shepard. Bell talks about their arguments and how she used to just storm off. I haven’t heard this from her before, but she did tell a very similar story in a joint interview with Dax for Good Housekeeping last year. Dax and Kristen have also admitted that they go to couples’ therapy. So she doesn’t say too much new here, although the stuff about how Dax would rather she cheat on him than watch Game of Thrones without him is new I think. Kristen is promoting Bad Moms, that questionable-looking comedy co-starring Mila Kunis and Kathryn Hahn. It’s out July 29th.
On the importance of being real in the age of social media:
“In the age of social media, when you can edit your life in beautiful pictures, it’s important to remind moms that all of us are wearing yogurt and all of our hands smell like urine. When you present an unrealistic idea of perfection to people, it’s not fair.”The upside of revealing her battle with depression:
“It didn’t occur to me that I would help anybody. Also, I didn’t expect to be so moved by people’s comments on social media about how they had been prescribed medication and never wanted to take it until now because it finally didn’t feel shameful. You’re labeled as a failure if you can’t kick depression. That’s bulls–t. You would never deny a diabetic his insulin and go, “Why can’t you process sugar on your own?”How she and Dax work so well as a couple:
“We fought a lot and I loved a dramatic exit. It I could slam a door, I felt so powerful. If I could get in my car and screech away, it was even better…. He said to me, “If we have an issue, you can’t leave. We’re going to talk or I’m not going to do this with you.” I loved him so much that I was like, I better get my act together.”On watching Game of Thrones with Dax:
“He would rather I sleep with another man [than watch Game of Thrones without him], I swear to God!”On whether Dax ever gets jealous of other men:
“Every now and again, but he layers it in comedy. When I get ready for a red-carpet event, he’ll say, “Don’t get too confident tonight and think of leaving me!” I’m like, “You’re lucky that nobody at this party is going to be as interesting as you are!”
When I start to watch a new show with a friend or family member I get antsy if I have to wait until we both have time to watch it again. Then when you’re next with them, you have to commit to sitting down and watching the show at the expense of catching up or doing anything else. I prefer to start watching a show with someone and then making a pact that we’re free to finish it on our own. (Unless we’re watching it when it airs.) I realize that this is the epitome of a first world problem, but unless you’re living with them it can feel like you’re giving up time with the person for the show. That way, there’s no waiting, there’s no guilt if you watch it without them and you can focus on being with them when you visit. However I will admit that I honor show contracts with my son. He’s just about the only person I do that for. It has to be a special person I guess. The fact that Dax jokes that he’d rather Kristen cheat on him kind of speaks to how deep these show commitments can go.
In terms of Dax and Kristen, I have the impression that they’re perfect for each other. They both are kind of extra, they’re both very open and they’re committed to each other – and to their shows! They are so into Game of Thrones.
Someone please clarify: do you have to be totally perfect to NOT “always have urine on your hands”? No kids, dont know.
I’d actually say that I have poop on my hands more frequently than urine. (This is during a diaper change, obviously…not while eating or something.)
We always watch GoT together. Watching a new episode without him would feel a bit like cheating. But we’re not celebs and our Sunday night schedules are pretty predictable.
My husband is on call 24/7. When Season 6 started, the first two weeks he was paged for work about 10 minutes before showtime. You know how they say in relationships one person loves more? He must love me more because he didn’t even ask me to wait for him. Maybe because he knew what my response would be…
Hahaha!! love your story.
I used to work as a nanny and I didn’t always have urine on my hands, because I washed them.
I also always got a shower every day, even when the parents were both traveling. Just put the baby in his carrier on the bathroom rug and poked my head out every couple of minutes to say “peekaboo.”
I used to do that same shower trick.
Is she constantly soaked in urine and yogurt? Doubt it. And I think the first few commenters know that as well.
My kids are 21, 17, and 15 now and on the whole, very decent, enjoyable people with whom I consider myself lucky to share my life. But I remember a day, and many like this, when they were 6, 22 months, and newborn, trying to nurse the newborn, make a gingerbread house with the 6 year old, and keep the 22 month old from destroying said gingerbread house, when I thought “how on earth is this going to work?”
We also had many days where we left the house together, clean, well-dressed, and well-behaved, and I remember feeling thankful that it at least looked like I had my “stuff” together.
In a world of social media life-sanitizing, it is lovely of her to extend a little bit of grace to the other moms out there, and I hope we can all agree that we need more grace and camraderie and less tearing each other down to build ourselves up.
Love your comments:)
Well said! Of course moms aren’t running around covered in yogurt and urine every day, but it’s great when women, especially famous-ish ones, admit that there are days like that. Too many people post their #blessed perfect lives on Facebook and neglect to post the video they took of themselves screaming at their children or hiding in the closet. Not that I do that, because I’m #blessed. I hide in the bathroom because it’s got a lock on the door!
My mum told me about what life was like when my brother and sister and I were all toddlers… one day while grocery shopping she happened to catch the reflection of another shopper in the mirror above the vegetables; she couldn’t help but notice that the tired elderly lady she saw reflected was in exactly the same coat she was wearing.
She cried on and off for the rest of the day.
I never care for a dramatic exit when we fight. We’ve always followed: “May the better one win” motto.
Unique couple they are. Yes, you need to take your meds for depression and she should not have to defend that. No, not all mom’s hands smell like pee. Not even remotely. I watched the GOT finale again last night alone, and it was as good as when I watched it with my friends. Dax is just a tad insecure I’d say.
I dont think its an insecurity thing. Both my husband and I would feel the same way. Its about sharing the enjoyment of the show and discussing it right after. Its a slotted time for us together each sunday night. Might sound lame, but we both look forward to it…… (Now I will rewatch it on my own the next day)
I prefer being covered in urine to being covered in yogurt. I just haaaate yogurt so much.
It and bananas are the only things I won’t even pretend to like for my kids. I’ve put on a smile and munched away on cauliflower for those suckers, so that really means something.
And, yes, PLEASE always take your depression and/or anxiety medication. I have many of those “well, just get over it” people in my family – including one with depression who is now self-medicating with alcohol and refusing to “let” his wife take her own medication – and they make me furious. I’ve checked myself into the hospital in the past to make sure that a meds change went smoothly when I was doing particularly poorly. Mental health is so, so necessary for a strong and happy life.
(Also, this is where I admit that I often feel like the only person who doesn’t watch Game of Thrones. My husband and I both just never started. We’ve even always had HBO, we just . . . weren’t interested and then all of the sudden it seemed like EVERYONE ELSE was.
I would have hurt my husband if he had watched any of the latest Peaky Blinders without, however. Like, sharp, heavy things thrown straight at his head type of hurt.)
I really like these two. I will continue to read any articles about them, but they aren’t really controversial. just a lovely flavor of different.
I want the t-shirts and enjoy the general weirdness at the GoT event.
They have overtaken Pratt and Faris as the couple I would most like to hang out and watch tv with.
And final thought – I think I really like that skirt. The one that looks like playdough or puffy stickers.
I know very little about fashion but what the fug with tucking that striped shirt into high waisted mom jeans?!? Who the hell styled this?? Yuck.
I do like Kristen and I especially like her and Dax together. They have their annoying moments but I think it is super sweet how they make each other laugh and aren’t afraid to be silly together. Often you will see a goofy guy paired up with a reserved, quieter wife. I think it’s fun to see a couple enjoying the whacky side of life together.
And in our house I reserve the right to watch GOT without my husband because I discovered it first and got him into it during the 3rd season. But I would be mad if he watched without me because of the same flawed logic LOL.
She used to annoy the hell out of me during her Veronica Mars days and then she opened up about the depression and her marriage and then I started liking her more. And then I binge watched Parenthood and started like Dax Shepard a fair bit and then I saw their cute Samsung appliance commercials and I was sold. I hope these two never part. They are far too entertaining together!
@Happy21 me too! I now love them and genuinely enjoy hearing what they have to say and seeing them together. Seems they bring out the best in each other!
Great point – your wouldn’t deny a diabetic insulin nd say “Why can’t you process sugar own your own?”
In my humble opinion, depression, anxiety, bipolar and some others are related to brain chemistry, brain damage and PTSD related trauma.
I am not an expert, but have seen and experienced this. They should be treated as chronic illnesses. The stigma needs to be taken away.
I can’t get enough Kristen Bell. More, more, more, please.
I really loved all her comments, and the headline made me laugh. I love my husband, but when he couldn’t watch a GOT episode, I merely watched it again with him. With no spoilers!!
I love her. She seems so genuine.