Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell’s kids don’t know they’re famous.
That is just the beginning of this adorable story. While appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert , Dax revealed how he broke he news of he and his wife’s fame to their kids.
Dax and Stephen Colbert were making some talk show small talk about family.
Stephen mentioned that he’d had Kristen Bell on the show previously.
“She had nice things to say about you, that’s why we’re so excited to have you here tonight,” Stephen said.
“She’s gotta protect our image,” Dax replied. “These Samsung washers will not sell themselves.
(Dax and Kristen do advertisements for Samsung.)
Talk quickly turned to their kids.
“She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met,” Dax said, like an angel. “Other than my children, they’re slightly nicer than her.”
We stan a man who loves and adores his family.
Their kids are “the best age.”
At 4 and 6, both Stephen and Dax agreed that they were at the perfect age.
“The snuggle sessions with them are beyond anything I’ve ever dreamt of.” Guys, I might cry over how much Dax Shepard loves his kids.
Stephen wanted to know if the kids know their parents are famous.
Dax’s answer did not disappoint.
“Okay, so that is an interesting question. Because they know that mom is Princess Anna from Frozen . They know it, they understand it.”
“That’s as famous as you can be,” Stephen said, which is 100% correct.
The kids have been around film for a while.
“They’ve been to set, they’ve seen us work, they have seen billboards around town, and people have taken photos of us when we’re out and about.”
I can’t imagine how weird it would be to see your parents’ faces plastered across billboards.
Things still didn’t click for them, though.
“But,” Dax continued, “I was talking with my daughter, and she said, ‘Why do people listen to the podcast? Do they listen for you, or Monica?’ My co-host.”
Dax hosts the Armchair Expert Podcast alongside Monica Padman.
Was it Monica, or Dax?
“I said, ‘Well, I bet it’s 50/50.’
And she said, ‘Okay, so that’s why they started listening?’
And I go, ‘No, well, initially they started listening because they knew me and not Monica.'”
She didn’t understand why people would want to listen to her dad.
“‘Why did they know you?’
I go, ‘Well, ’cause I’m famous.’
And she goes, ‘ You’re famous?! ‘”
The facial expression above might belong in a museum. I’m starting a petition to put it in the MoMA.
“Famous” was a whole other thing to her.
“I go, ‘Yeah, hun, I’m on TV, and that’s why people take pictures of us.’
And she goes, ‘Does mom know?!'”
I love that they’ve raised their kids to have no concept of how famous they are.
Dax knew what he was about, though.
Given that Kristen is currently starring in one of the most critically acclaimed shows in recent memory, Dax was pretty honest about how famous she is.
“And I go, ‘Honey, mom’s more famous than dad.’
And she goes, ‘ Mom’s famous, too?! ‘”
Honestly, they blew each other’s minds.
“And I was like, ‘What is happening right now?’
She understands how we’re making a living, but this word ‘famous’ was its own thing, like that at kindergarten, I guess, we were all the sudden Taylor Swift, or something.
Or P!nk. I don’t know.”
Dax thought it was weird, but Stephen kind of understood.
“Very weird though, right?” Dax asked.
“No, that’s a reasonable response for a child, ’cause famousness has got magic to it.”
So, that actually makes complete sense. “Famous” has a prestige to it, you know?
Dax didn’t think they knew what fame was.
“I guess I assumed she wasn’t aware of that. Yet.”
Stephen agreed. “‘Cause, if you think about it, it’s a weird thing to be. Famous is a weird thing to be.”
Fame is effortless once it’s achieved.
Stephen continued, “Once you are, it doesn’t require any action on your behalf. You just are.”
“That’s my hope,” Dax said. Which, same. Minimal effort, maximum output? Now that’s the dream.
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You can watch the whole video here!
Listen to the story and see Dax’s recreation of his daughter’s facial expressions for yourself.
Also, witness him talking about lawn gardening equipment! Yes, really.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to make sure my mom isn’t famous. Just in case.
