Dax Shepard’s recent podcast episode has stirred attention after he urged ‘Saturday Night Live’ star Marcello Hernández to date singer Sabrina Carpenter, despite Hernández’s long-term girlfriend. The incident occurred on Shepard’s ‘Armchair Expert’ podcast, where the host, admitting a newfound obsession with Carpenter, pressed Hernández about pursuing a romantic connection with the pop star.
During the conversation, Shepard, 51, revealed that his daughter’s fandom has made him ‘obsessed’ with Carpenter, 26. He pointed out that Hernández, 28, and Carpenter have collaborated twice on ‘SNL’ and that she humorously ‘arrested’ him at one of her concerts last year. Shepard bluntly asked, ‘If I’m you again and I’m 28, I’m going to try to date her with all my might. Are you not trying your hardest to marry her?’
Hernández calmly countered Shepard’s remarks by highlighting his committed relationship with Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral, a Dominican architect who attended Yale. He stated, ‘I’m in a relationship,’ and praised his girlfriend as ‘unreal.’ Hernández and Cabral have been dating since at least January 2025, making their public debut at the ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ premiere in July.
Despite shutting down the matchmaking attempt, Hernández expressed admiration for Carpenter, calling her ‘awesome’ and ‘really funny and cool.’ This acknowledgment came amidst Shepard’s persistent questioning, which some listeners found inappropriate given Hernández’s relationship status.
The exchange quickly sparked reactions on social media, with fans criticizing Shepard for overstepping boundaries. One user tweeted, ‘marcello had to shut him down multiple times to mention his own girlfriend. it’s a bad look for a married man to be that obsessed with a pop star’s love life.’ Others labeled Shepard a ‘creep’ for meddling in younger celebrities’ personal lives, referencing past controversies involving his wife Kristen Bell.
Sabrina Carpenter, currently single, was previously linked to actor Barry Keoghan, with their relationship lasting from 2023 to 2024. The ‘Espresso’ singer has maintained a busy career, and this incident adds to the public scrutiny surrounding her personal life, though she has not commented on the podcast discussion.
The podcast episode highlights ongoing tensions in celebrity culture where public figures’ private matters become fodder for entertainment. Shepard’s comments, while perhaps intended humorously, raise questions about the boundaries of such discussions, especially when involving individuals in committed relationships.
Looking ahead, this episode may prompt further discussions on responsible media portrayal and the impact of celebrity influencers on personal boundaries. For now, Hernández remains focused on his relationship, while Carpenter continues her musical endeavors, unaffected by the speculative chatter.
