- Dakota Johnson, renowned for her captivating performance as Anastasia Steele in the “Fifty Shades” series, effortlessly bridges the gap between her illustrious career in Hollywood and a personal life filled with love, family, and rumored engagements.
- At 34, her journey is not just one of cinematic acclaim but also of navigating the complexities of relationships and blended family dynamics.
- This article delves into Dakota’s rumored engagement to Chris Martin, her seamless integration into a blended family, her close relationship with Chris’s ex, Gwyneth Paltrow, and her reflections on motherhood and family life against the backdrop of her storied lineage in the entertainment industry.
Dakota Johnson attends Feed the Children Benefit party at Planet Hollywood on March 26, 1998 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Dakota Johnson is an actress, producer, and director. The Hollywood star started acting since she was a child making her debut at age ten. She has been in over 30 movies.
She is notable for her role as Anastasia Steele in “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The celebrity reprised the role in “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed.”
Melanie Griffith, Dakota Johnson, Alexander Bauer, and Antonio Banderas at the Los Angeles premiere of “Batman & Robin,” 1997 | Source: Getty Images
Dakota comes from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry. Her mother, Melanie Griffith, is an accomplished actress and producer with over 80 acting credits to her name. Her work includes roles in Days Out of Days, Hawaii Five-0, Dirty Diana, Twins, Stuart Little 2, among many others.
Her father, Don Johnson, is also a prominent figure in Hollywood, known for his work as an actor, director, and producer with more than 100 acting credits. He is recognized for his roles as Rick in Kenan and Richard Drysdale in Knives Out, where he starred alongside Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, and others. Johnson also portrayed Frank in The Other Woman.
Dakota Johnson, Melanie Griffith and Stella Banderas at the premiere of “The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea,” 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Dakota’s parents divorced, and both remarried and have other children. Her mother was once married to actor Antonio Banderas from 1996 to 2015. While at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Film Awards Gala in 2020, Antonio reminisced over his relationship with his former stepdaughter Dakota.
Melanie Griffith, Dakota Johnson, and Antonio Banderas at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards on March 26, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
“She was 5 when I met her, when she became my family. I almost changed her nappies. She’s my daughter, I love her. I’ve been with her on my shoulders, traveling all around the world,” he divulged.
Antonio Banderas and Dakota Johnson on a yacht during the Copa del Ray regatta on August 6, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
While she is the only child of her parents together, she grew up having a blended family. The actress once opened up about her family dynamics.
Melanie Griffith, Dakota Johnson, and Don Johnson at the New York premiere of “How To Be Single” on February 3, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
She said, “I grew up in a family that was so big, and I just believe in the saying ‘Blood is thicker than water.'” But, she talked about the saying’s origins. She noted that the connections one chooses are more solid than the connections people are born to.
Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Stella Banderas, and Dakota Johnson at the Los Angeles premiere of “Shrek 2” on May 8, 2004. | Source: Getty Images
Dakota remarked that chosen families can be as vital as birth families, if not more. She noted, “I have four brothers and two sisters, and my two sisters are not blood-related to each other, but they are sisters and they call each other sisters and they are always together. And my two older brothers are not blood-related to each other. And they are brothers.”
The actress believes that irrespective of their trials, they would still be a family. She also mentioned how most of her family are artists. The actress noted, “Even the kids, they’re extraordinarily talented people. So you just are dealing with complex people. You grow and you embrace.” Even when you chase them away, call them back with love.
Don and Dakota Johnson at The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter party at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
At 34, Dakota is now in a blended family as an adult. The public figure explained that because she grew up with the blended family dynamics, it felt natural. She emphasized that she wouldn’t want it any other way. She loves it and finds it very honest and authentic, with no one hiding anything.
Melanie Griffith and Dakota Johnson at the 87th Annual Academy Awards on February 22, 2015, in Los Angeles. | Source: Getty Images
Dakota has been in a relationship with Chris Martin, the English singer, musician, songwriter, and philanthropist best known as the lead vocalist, pianist, rhythm guitarist, and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay.
Their romance has captured public attention, not only because of their strong connection but also due to persistent engagement rumors, fueled by repeated sightings of a distinctive emerald ring on Dakota’s finger.
Speculation first arose in December 2020, when Dakota was photographed wearing what appeared to be an emerald engagement ring on her left hand. The rumors intensified when she was spotted wearing the same ring again in March 2021.
In November 2023, jewelry designer Jessica McCormack shared a photo of Dakota wearing what seemed to be one of the brand’s signature emerald-cut rings. McCormack captioned the post, “fav color after diamonds 💚 #mondaymuse,” adding further intrigue.
The engagement rumors gained even more traction in March 2024, when a source revealed that Dakota and Chris had quietly taken the next step in their relationship some time ago, choosing to share the news only with close friends and family.
Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson seen leaving The Corinthia Hotel during the 65th BFI London Film Festival on October 13, 2021, in London. | Source: Getty Images
A source revealed four months later, “The couple got engaged a while ago and have kept the news private. But now they are being open about it with their circles. They have been besotted with each other from day one, so taking this next step was inevitable.”
Their decision to keep the engagement private reflects their desire to savor this special phase of their lives without rushing into wedding plans, emphasizing the depth and seriousness of their bond.
In early March 2024, Dakota opened up about their relationship, calling Chris “her favorite being.” When asked how she felt watching him perform, she said, “I don’t know. I love watching him. I could watch him every day. […] I’m watching my most favorite being do his most favorite thing.”
Chris is also a father of two children, whom he shares with his former partner, actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow. Notably, Gwyneth and Dakota have developed a warm and supportive relationship. In November 2018, a year into Dakota and Chris’s relationship, the couple spent Thanksgiving together on the East Coast with Gwyneth, her husband, and Chris’s children, Apple and Moses. It marked the first holiday Dakota spent with Chris and his family.
On October 5, 2019, Gwyneth publicly wished Dakota a happy birthday on Instagram, posting a photo of her and writing, “Happy 30th birthday to this absolute gem 💙.” Four years later, during an Instagram Q&A session, Gwyneth spoke again about her affection for Dakota, stating, “We’re actually very good friends,” and adding, “I love her so much. She’s an adorable, wonderful person.”
This wasn’t the first time Gwyneth had expressed her admiration. In a 2020 interview, she shared, “I love her. I can see how it would seem weird because it’s sort of unconventional. But I think, in this case, just having passed through it iteratively, I just adore her.”
Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson at the front row for Gucci Love Parade on November 2, 2021 in Los Angeles. | Source: Getty Images
In November 2023, Gwyneth invited her fans to ask her a question on her Instagram stories. A fan asked her to share a photo of herself with Dakota. The businesswoman responded with a picture of her and Dakota holding hands. The pair stood in the middle of the road wearing jackets, jeans, and sneakers.
Screenshot of Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson holding hands, dated November 2023 | Source: Instagram/etalkctv
Dakota and Chris’s relationship continues to thrive. Although the couple has not publicly addressed the engagement rumors, Dakota has embraced a stepmother role with Chris’s children, Apple and Moses Martin.
She once affectionately referred to Moses as her “stepson” while recounting a story his friend had shared about school. Speaking about the children, Dakota said, “I love those kids like my life depends on it. With all my heart.” She has often been spotted spending time with Apple and Moses, showcasing the strong bond she shares with them.
In May 2019, Dakota and Apple were photographed in Malibu grabbing coffee. Dakota wore a green cardigan, ripped jeans, and sneakers while holding their dog. Apple sported a blue buttoned cardigan and plaid shorts, going barefoot as she carried their drinks.
Later that year, in December 2019, Dakota joined Chris, his children, and Gwyneth Paltrow for a family vacation in Aspen. In one of the paparazzi shots, Apple appeared taller than Dakota as they picked up coffee together. It was unclear whether Gwyneth’s husband, Brad Falchuk, also joined the trip.
Shortly after, Chris, Dakota, and Moses were photographed enjoying a casual movie night, all dressed in relaxed, hooded outfits. Chris and Dakota coordinated in black, while Moses wore a mint green top paired with blue pants.
In March 2020, reports surfaced of the family visiting Disneyland to celebrate Chris’s 43rd birthday. Later that year, in November, Dakota, Chris, and Moses were seen enjoying a casual lunch in East Hampton.
By June 2023, Dakota was once again spotted spending time with her blended family. After grabbing pizza for dinner, she was seen walking arm-in-arm with Moses as Chris captured a photo of the touching moment.
While Dakota embraces her role as a stepmother, she is also open to having children of her own someday. Speaking about motherhood, she shared, “I’m so open to that. I’ve gotten to this place where I really want to experience everything that life has to offer.” Reflecting on womanhood, she described it as a “crazy, wild, and magical” journey, noting that she is ready for it if and when the time is right.
Her experiences within a blended family have deeply influenced her current outlook on life and family. Dakota’s relationship with Chris and his children has brought her profound joy and fulfillment, helping her embrace both the complexities of the past and the beauty of the present.