At a Glance
- Cher told Dax Shepard on his Jan. 5 Armchair Expert episode that wife Kristen Bell “deserves better”
- Shepard laughed it off at the 2026 Golden Globes, calling the remark “hysterical”
- Armchair Expert earned its first Globe nod for Best Podcast but lost to Good Hang with Amy Poehler
- Why it matters: The exchange shows how the couple handles public ribbing-and how Cher still watches out for her Burlesque co-star
Dax Shepard is taking Cher’s on-air jab in stride. Speaking with Access Hollywood at the 2026 Golden Globes, the host responded to the music legend’s blunt assessment that Kristen Bell could “do better” than him.
Cher’s Verdict: “She Deserves Better”
During the Monday, Jan. 5 episode of Armchair Expert, Cher sat down with Shepard and Bell. Mid-conversation, she turned to Shepard and said Bell deserves a better partner. Co-host Monica Padman noted the line generated headlines, but insisted listeners hear the full context: “Everything she says is perfect.”
Shepard agreed. “We thought it was hysterical,” he told Access Hollywood on the red carpet. “That’s why you love Cher.”
How It Played Out on the Podcast
Shepard actually invited the critique. He asked Cher, “Who would be your dream partner for her? ‘Cause I know you think she could do better, and I don’t disagree.”
Cher couldn’t name anyone, but replied, “The truth is, I trust her. So you must have something that I don’t see.”
Shepard then listed a trait he hoped Cher would value: “I’m not threatened by her shining. Love it. The shinier she gets, the better.”
Cher compared that quality to boyfriend Alexander “AE” Edwards. Bell jumped in, calling both men “guys who polish you so you shine more.”
History Behind the Banter
Cher and Bell met on the 2010 film Burlesque. Bell and Shepard got engaged that same year, married in 2013, and now share daughters Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 11.
Bell told Cher that Shepard is “almost too good for me,” labeling him a “slow burn.” Cher later told Shepard, “You seem like a good dad,” prompting Bell to add, “The best dad there ever was.”
Golden Globe Night
Armchair Expert competed for the inaugural Golden Globe for Best Podcast but lost to Good Hang with Amy Poehler. Still, Shepard and Padman celebrated the nomination while laughing off Cher’s teasing.
Key Takeaways
- Cher’s “better partner” remark was delivered-and received-as playful honesty
- Shepard embraced the critique, citing it as proof of Cher’s candor
- The couple’s easy handling of the moment highlights their long-standing comfort in the spotlight
