The Real Reason Dax Shepard And Kate Hudson Split

Dax Shepard and Kate Hudson's short-lived 2007 romance is often forgotten. Before their time together, the actors were linked to other notable celebrities. Hudson was reportedly dating her "You, Me and Dupree" co-star Owen Wilson — which she never addressed until a decade and a half later. During an appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show," the actor jokingly confirmed the years-old rumor. "I've been there with a Wilson too," Hudson told Barrymore as they discussed their dating history. Meanwhile, Shepard had just ended a few relationships of his own. According to InStyle, the "Buddy Games" star had a short-lived fling with Olympic figure skater Tara Lipinski following his time with Briegh Morrison.

Coincidentally, Shepard's romance with Hudson happened just months before he began dating his wife, Kristen Bell. However, Bell previously told POPSUGAR that the pair split because Shepard was "still dating other people." The pair reconnected a short time later and have been together ever since. Interestingly enough, Shepard seems to have also forged a friendship with his ex, Hudson. And after years apart, the actors finally revealed the cause of their separation.

Dax Shepard and Kate Hudson sat down to discuss their time as a couple, during a 2019 episode of Shepard's podcast "Armchair Expert." The couple began by explaining where their romance started. The duo first met at fellow actor Tobey Maguire's house — however, both were in other relationships at the time. Shepard and Hudson reconnected a year later, but their time together was only temporary. Hudson went on to admit that the actors were at "different" places in their lives (via E! News).

"I felt very 'less than' around you quite often," Shepard added. "I think I was just in the point where I was not gonna get hired for movies anymore... And you were at that time making the most you ever made and having the most opportunity." For her part, Hudson suggested that she was unable to fully commit to Shepard because of her busy career. "Honestly, I wasn't giving Dax what he needed and I was making choices that were not relationship-focused," she said.

Shepard, of course, went on to begin his relationship with now-wife Kristen Bell. While Hudson was reportedly linked to the late actor Heath Ledger following her time with Shepard.

Years after Dax Shepard and Kate Hudson's split, Shepard and Kristen Bell rose to be one of Hollywood's most prominent couples. The duo — who are parents to daughters Lincoln and Delta — have been together for over a decade and make no secret of their love for one another. "Oh, he's the best. He's the best there ever was, 100%," Bell told Page Six.

Kate Hudson also found love following her time with Shepard. In 2010, the actor began dating Muse frontman Matt Bellamy. Months later, Hudson — who shares son Ryder with her ex-husband, Chris Robinson — announced the couple were expecting their first child together. However, in 2014, the couple called off their engagement but committed to remaining "close friends and committed co-parents," People reports.

Despite her split from Bellamy, Hudson took another shot at love. In 2021, the "Deepwater Horizon" star announced that she was engaged to Danny Fujikawa. The two made their red carpet debut in 2017, and welcomed their first child together a year later. The pair shared the engagement news in a post on Instagram, with Hudson writing, "Let's go," alongside the bride and groom emojis.