WOMEN WE LOVE: Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell. You know her, and I’d be willing to bet that you already love her. But if you only know her as Anna in Frozen, or as the literal voice of "Gossip Girl", then you’re sorely missing out on everything else that this woman has going on – not just in the entertainment space, but in wellness and lifestyle as a whole. Right now, she is killing it as a podcaster, with a show that she co-hosts with friend and "Armchair Expert" co-host Monica Padman (who I’ve also loved for quite some time now) called "Shattered Glass", in which they chat with some of the pre-eminent feminist icons of our time. The show is excellent; Monica and Kristen are not only fun to listen to together, but they also ask very insightful questions that give the listener a better understanding of these activists in both the work that they do and the people they are when they’re not busy changing laws and winning Nobel Peace Prizes. The podcast has already educated me on so many issues affecting women and girls across the globe, and I believe that Kristen and Monica, in providing a platform for people of all ages and genders to learn about feminism in a way that isn’t so intimidating or overwhelming, are doing such a positive for our society in its entirety.

Let me be completely frank, though; I’ve been a fan of Bell’s for years, far before podcasts were even a thing. "Veronica Mars" is one of my favorite series, for one, and Bell in particular shined in the role of this take-no-sh*t junior detective. Veronica always had the right line or comeback ready at her fingertips, and that uncovering-the-mystery element of the show’s plot was always super fun to watch. Just as I feel that "Veronica Mars" is unfairly left out of the mainstream cultural lexicon, I feel similarly about many of the movies she’s starred in, which, to me, are all rainy-day mainstays – Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Couples Retreat, You Again, and both Bad Moms installments are all so funny, and are just a few of Bell’s movies that could keep me glued to the couch for who knows how long.

But, of course, a Kristen Bell article wouldn’t be complete without a nod to what I believe to be one of the best comedies of the last decade – "The Good Place". The basic question that the series asks – Can people be more than their flaws? – is philosophical and meta as anything, but throughout each episode, you’re laughing too hard to realize that you’re simultaneously receiving a comprehensive education on the human condition. Bell’s character of Eleanor, who realizes when she dies that she was sent to “the good place” by mistake and must learn how to be a better person before being sent to “the bad place”, is honestly one of the most layered and interesting characters that I’ve ever seen on any TV show, much less a half-hour sitcom. Kristen played Eleanor to perfection, and the entire cast, for that matter, brought such a beauty and lightness to a show that introduces very deep and, at times, upsetting subject matter. Shout-out to Mike Schur too; the writing is nothing short of exquisite.

Kristen doesn’t just shine on the screen, however; her work off the camera is equally as inspired, if not more so. She has done so much to bring attention to a variety of issues in the name of invoking positive change, and she’s showing no signs of slowing down. I mentioned the podcast already, but her book The World Needs More Purple People, which she co-authored with Benjamin Hart, sets out to teach kids the importance of asking lots of questions and being kind to others in order to create a more loving, less divisive world. And in the entrepreneurial space, Bell and husband Dax Shepard launched Hello Bello, which is a line of kids and home care products that are sustainably sourced and offered at an affordable price point. Kristen and Dax have been using Hello Bello to provide a year’s supply of diapers to families in need on a weekly basis. But, perhaps just as awesome, Bell’s new line of weed-based products called Happy Dance! Kidding, kind of, but it’s seriously so enjoyable to witness Bell use her influence and celebrity to promote a better way of life in multiple different facets, be it through baby wipes, CBD body butter, or otherwise.

The praise can go on and on, but I’ll stop myself here. I think Kristen Bell is special, and not just for her acting and vocal talents, or even her efforts off-screen; the fact that she is always striving to make the world a better place – she rescues disabled dogs, for Pete’s sake – is something I so admire in any person who already seems to have it all, but still does his/her part to help people (and animals) on both a macro and micro level. Not to mention, she’s been incredibly open about her struggles with depression and anxiety for years now and has had a huge impact in making mental health not only de-stigmatized but openly discussed in the realm of entertainment. And through all of that, she somehow found the time to star in a new movie, which is set for release in September of 2021, called Queenpins. The movie is about two housewives who get involved in a major coupon scam – so yeah, needless to say, I’m all in. AND, lest we forget, she and Dax Shepard continue to defend their title of Most Enviable Celebrity Couple. Oh yeah, and she’s also stunning! Gosh, what a hero. Kristen Bell and others like her, well, are deserving of The Good Place. I’m sure Kristen will continue to use her platform to create so much good, and I can’t wait to see all that the future holds for her.

Keep being forking incredible, Kristen! We’re all here for it.