Riz Ahmed recalls awkward Golden Globes moment with Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard
Synopsis
Oscar and Emmy winner Riz Ahmed left audiences laughing after revealing that his very first Hollywood red-carpet moment involved Dax Shepard casually informing him that Kristen Bell found him 'very attractive' — leaving the Wembley-raised actor completely unsure whether to smile, apologise, or simply walk away.
Key Takeaways
Riz Ahmed appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show to recount a candid encounter with Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard on the Golden Globes red carpet.
Shepard introduced his wife by telling Ahmed she found him 'very attractive,' leaving the actor at a loss for words.
Ahmed attributed his flustered reaction to being new to Hollywood, saying: 'I'm from Wembley, man.' Ahmed is an Academy Award and Primetime Emmy Award winner, with additional nominations from BAFTA and the Golden Globes .
He is also known as a rapper, with his track 'Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)' featured on the Billboard 200 -topping Hamilton Mixtape .
British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed has shared the story of an unexpectedly amusing encounter with actress Kristen Bell and her husband Dax Shepard on the Golden Globes red carpet, where Shepard introduced his wife by announcing she found Ahmed 'very attractive.' The anecdote, which Ahmed recounted during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, quickly captured audience attention for its blend of Hollywood candour and the actor's self-deprecating humour.
The Red Carpet Moment
Ahmed described the scene in his own words: 'I was on the red carpet at the Golden Globes, and Kirsten came up to me with her husband, Dax. He went, hello, Riz, nice to meet you. This is my wife, Kirsten. She finds you very attractive. I just didn't know how to react. It's my first time in Hollywood.'
The actor added that his Wembley upbringing left him wholly unprepared for the exchange: 'I don't know what happens here. You know what I mean? I'm from Wembley, man, you know? I was just like, nice to meet you guys. I wasn't sure if he was upset with me, if he's complaining. I was just like, I just got to go do something. That was the last thing I was expecting to happen.'
Why the Clip Is Resonating
The video, captioned '@rizahmed recalls his awkward encounter with @kristenanniebell and @daxshepard!', spread widely after the show aired. Notably, the story works because of the contrast it sets up — a critically acclaimed, award-winning actor caught off-guard not by a career milestone but by an unexpectedly direct Hollywood introduction. It also highlights Shepard's well-documented openness with his wife Kristen Bell, a dynamic their fans will recognise instantly.
About Riz Ahmed
Ahmed has built one of the most distinctive careers in contemporary cinema. He is the recipient of an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, and has received nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). His early career was shaped by independent films including The Road to Guantanamo, Shifty, Four Lions, Trishna, and The Reluctant Fundamentalist.
His breakout role in Nightcrawler opened doors to mainstream Hollywood, leading to parts in franchise tentpoles Jason Bourne and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Beyond acting, Ahmed is a noted rapper and a member of the Swet Shop Boys, with critically acclaimed hip-hop albums Microscope and Cashmere to his name. His track 'Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)' featured on the Hamilton Mixtape, which topped the Billboard 200.
What This Reveals About Ahmed
The anecdote adds a human, unguarded dimension to a performer often celebrated for his intensity on screen. For audiences who know him primarily through weighty roles, his wide-eyed 'I'm from Wembley, man' reaction is a reminder that celebrity culture can be as disorienting for its participants as it is entertaining for onlookers.
Point of View
Not by a career milestone, but by Hollywood's peculiar brand of candour. What makes it more than a throwaway anecdote is what it says about how outsiders — even celebrated ones — experience the industry's unwritten social rules. Ahmed's 'I'm from Wembley' line is doing a lot of cultural work in a short sentence. It is a reminder that for many British actors of South Asian heritage, even after the awards and the franchise roles, the cultural gap between home and Hollywood remains real and occasionally hilarious.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened between Riz Ahmed, Kristen Bell, and Dax Shepard at the Golden Globes?
On the Golden Globes red carpet, Dax Shepard introduced his wife Kristen Bell to Riz Ahmed by saying she found him 'very attractive.' Ahmed, who described it as his first time at a Hollywood event, said he had no idea how to respond.
Where did Riz Ahmed tell this story?
Ahmed recounted the encounter during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. A video clip of the segment, captioned with tags for all three stars, circulated widely after the episode aired.
What awards has Riz Ahmed won?
Ahmed has won an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, and has received nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).
What music work is Riz Ahmed known for?
Ahmed is a member of the hip-hop duo Swet Shop Boys and released the critically acclaimed albums Microscope and Cashmere. He also featured on the Billboard 200-topping Hamilton Mixtape with his track 'Immigrants (We Get the Job Done).'
