Inside Dax Shepard’s Brief Romantic Encounter With Jessica Alba

The “Employee of the Month” actor, who is now married to Kristen Bell, recently reflected on a brief period when he and Alba were romantically involved.

What made the memory even more amusing for him was the “Fantastic Four” actress openly confirming that the two once shared a few make-out sessions.

Alba later married Cash Warren, with whom she shares three children. However, the couple recently finalized their divorce after more than a decade of marriage.

During the March 9 episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast, Shepard reflected on his past romances, admitting he is now at a stage in life where he feels “very proud” whenever someone acknowledges having dated him.

The actor went on to give an example that happened with Alba, revealing that they went on a “couple of dates” roughly two decades ago. However, he clarified it was not anything intense. 

Years later, the former flames reunited while filming the 2017 Netflix dark comedy thriller “El Camino Christmas.” Shepard confessed he assumed Alba would prefer to keep their history private.

“We’re in the makeup trailer, and I’m thinking, ‘Oh yah, she doesn’t want anyone in here to know this’ because that’s where my self-esteem is,” he joked. 

However, the moment unfolded differently than he expected as Alba brought up their past fling. “She yelled across from the other end, ‘Remember when we used to make out?’ I was so flattered that she wasn’t embarrassed she had made out with me,” he recalled. 

As Shepard reflects on former romances, curiosity continues to swirl around his marriage to Bell and their unusual close relationship with his co-host Monica Padman. 

Padman started as a nanny to the couple’s two kids before eventually becoming Bell’s assistant. When Shepard began developing his podcast, she offered to help behind the scenes. Instead, he insisted she join as co-host. According to an insider, Padman is deeply integrated into the couple’s lives. 

“Monica is not only heavily involved in Dax’s podcast but also sometimes like the third wheel in his marriage to Kristen,” the insider shared, per The Blast. 

Padman herself has echoed a similar comment during a 2021 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” describing their dynamic as a “three-way marriage.”

When it comes to discussing his marriage to the “Frozen” star, Shepard has never shied away from open conversation. During a January episode with singer Cher, Shepard spoke about his union, and the singer was not afraid to drop a candid remark. 

As The Blast reported, the 51-year-old actor spoke about how past trauma shaped his communication style. However, Cher interrupted, saying, “You’re lucky. She is definitely the better half.” 

While the podcaster initially overlooked her remark, he later leaned into it, asking the 79-year-old who she thinks would be a better partner for Bell.

The legendary artist didn’t name an alternative suitor, but she gave him her candid opinion. “The truth is, I trust her. So you must have something that I don’t see,” Cher said. 

While Shepard continues his relationship with Bell, Alba is finalizing her split from her ex-husband, Cash Warren. 

Court documents show neither party contested the split, and spousal support will not be paid. Instead, Alba agreed to pay Warren $3 million in two installments to balance shared assets, including their $10 million Beverly Hills home.

Following the settlement, The Blast reported that Alba took to Instagram with candid reflections about entering the Lunar Year of the Horse with gratitude and a focus on “forward momentum.”

She described the past year as one of shedding, facing hard truths, and making meaningful changes.

With her marriage now behind her, the “Dark Angel” actress appears to be embracing a new chapter in her love life with actor Danny Ramirez.

According to The Blast, the 34-year-old actor publicly confirmed their relationship last November on Instagram, sharing photos from the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala in West Hollywood.

As seen in the pictures, the couple coordinated in sleek black looks, with Alba stunning in a strapless dress and diamond necklace.

Before the red carpet appearance, the pair had been spotted enjoying time together with Alba’s friends in New York, dining at Cuerno steakhouse, and showing PDA in Beverly Hills last July.