> At a Glance
> – Cher told Dax Shepard she trusts Kristen Bell’s judgment in their marriage
> – Shepard, 51, openly acknowledged Cher “could” think Bell deserves better
> – Bell, 45, calls Shepard “almost too good for me” and credits him for helping her shine
> – Why it matters: Celebrity couples often face public scrutiny, but this rare candid exchange shows how trust and mutual growth keep long-term Hollywood marriages strong
When Cher appeared on the Jan. 5 episode of Armchair Expert, she didn’t sugarcoat her history with Dax Shepard-but she did explain why she’s at peace with his 12-year marriage to Kristen Bell.
The Awkward Question
Mid-interview, Shepard asked the Grammy winner point-blank:
> “Who would be your dream partner for her? ‘Cause I know you think she could be better, and I don’t disagree.”
Cher didn’t deny the premise. Instead, she pivoted to trust:
> “The truth is, I trust her. So, you must have something that I don’t see.”
A Slow-Burn Endorsement
The 79-year-old icon offered two concessions:
- “You seem like a good dad”
- “I trust her”-meaning Bell’s judgment overrides Cher’s own opinion
Shepard tried to seal the deal by highlighting one quality:
> “I’m not threatened by her shining. I love it. The shinier she gets, the better.”
Bell’s Counter-View
Kristen Bell, 45, framed the relationship differently:
- “There’s a lot to this man. Trust me, he’s a slow burn, but you’re gonna learn to love him”
- “He’s almost too good for me”
- She describes him as the kind of partner who “polishes you so you shine more”
Marriage Philosophy in Their Own Words
On Andy Cohen Live in October, Bell outlined their approach:
> “I don’t like the idea that you’re looking for your perfect puzzle piece… you’re going to compromise constantly… it’s us against the world.”
She credits Shepard’s “commitment to growth at all times” as the reason she’s “glad I chose my husband.”
Key Takeaways
- Cher values Bell’s autonomy over her own opinion of Shepard
- Shepard openly accepts that outsiders may think Bell “could do better”
- Bell sees marriage as active teamwork rather than a perfect fit
- The couple’s daughters, Lincoln (12) and Delta (11), witness a partnership built on mutual polishing, not competition
Cher’s reluctant blessing underscores a simple truth: even icons sometimes defer to the people they love most.
