Dakota Johnson has become one of Hollywood’s most versatile and captivating talents, blending understated charm with emotional depth. From her breakout in Fifty Shades of Grey to acclaimed performances in Suspiria and Persuasion, Johnson has consistently demonstrated a talent for balancing intensity with nuance. She has a knack for inhabiting characters with subtlety while maintaining an authenticity that resonates with audiences.
While she is often celebrated for her film work, Johnson has also become known for her distinctive personal style, thoughtful approach to public life, and commitment to creative exploration beyond acting. She brings a grounded, introspective perspective to her career, embracing projects that challenge her while maintaining her individuality. Johnson, featured in the brand new Calvin Klein underwear ads, brings her unbridled sexuality to the brand in the highly sexual and playful commercials that are breaking the internet. She is breathtakingly beautiful in the ads, as seen in this feature.
Dakota and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin were in a relationship since late 2017 and lived together in a cosy Malibu home, where they spent time not only with Martin’s children, but also holidayed with his ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, and her husband, Brad Falchuk. However, the actress is again single after splitting with the musician in June 2025.
Here, the actress reflects on her career, lifestyle, and fashion, then discusses balancing fame with personal fulfilment. She looks ahead to the psychological thriller Verity, explaining how her past roles have shaped her perspective as an actor and individual.
STRIPLV: Verity’s had a big impact on you. Can you elaborate? JOHNSON: Yes, it felt like a pivotal experience, and I think it will do even more in the lead-up to the release, which is still a little time away. I mean, the cast, for a start, Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett. They were brilliant to work with, and we all came at it from the same place, with an aim to really explore the idea of psychological tension and moral ambiguity, but in a very intimate way. It’s a film developed in a way that was very special to me - working on it taught me a lot about inhabiting characters who are morally complex and layered. It also reinforced my love for stories that aren’t black and white, the ones that leave an impression on you for some time afterwards. STRIPLV: When faced with projects of intense emotional weight, what's your first step? JOHNSON: My process is to spend time understanding the character’s inner world, their fears, and their motivations. There’s always a bit of me in every character – I think as an actor you have to decide how much of you is there. From that point on, it’s about merging personal intuition with the character’s perspective. That balance is what allows a performance to feel alive and authentic. STRIPLV: How do you stay grounded amid fame? JOHNSON: I prioritise personal routines and time with close friends and family. I also enjoy quiet activities; I’m just a normal person. I cook, I read, Anne Brontë is my go-to author, someone who will solve all manner of emotional ills! STRIPLV: What’s special about Anne Brontë’s writing to you? JOHNSON: I mean, she has a way of writing that just transports the reader to another dimension. I find that sort of escapism really interesting and absolutely vital in a world that is so complex and unpredictable. It means that no matter what’s been going on in my day, I can pick up a book and leave it all behind. That’s really why I started up my Tea Time Book Club: it was to share how amazing reading is and to let people know about the wealth of incredible material that’s out there. STRIPLV: Some say reading is selfish since it’s so individual. Thoughts? JOHNSON: That’s exactly why book clubs are so good. In the same way that you can go on to YouTube and read the comments on a film or piece of music, so too does a book club offer the same thing. And I do find that in some cases one person’s interpretation of a novel can be completely different from another’s, even right down to who the good guy is and who the bad. As with many things, it’s all a matter of opinion and perception. STRIPLV: How do you handle being recognized in public? JOHNSON: To a large extent, you can’t. If you are spotted and someone is following you around with a camera, there’s not really much you can do about it. Instead, I try to focus on what I can control: my work, my family, my personal values. STRIPLV: What’s the biggest career lesson you’ve learned? JOHNSON: Patience and self-trust. Success doesn’t come overnight, and every project, whether it’s widely seen or more niche, contributes to growth. I also realize now that communication and openness are key. There are so many people in this industry having so many conversations at any one time, and unless you’re willing to stand up and get your voice heard, you will be left out. That also goes for when the cameras start rolling. I think it’s natural that when you first get into the industry, there is an intimidation about pretty much everything you do, because there are always people more senior around you. Yet being heard and respected is only really a case of being confident in your opinion, age, and experience, which aren’t the be-all and end-all. Ultimately, when work creates a safe space for experimentation, the outcome is much more rewarding and fulfilling. STRIPLV: Will you keep doing complex roles, or try more romcoms? JOHNSON: I don’t think that will happen! Stories that challenge audiences and invite reflection are always exciting, but I’m also interested in projects that blend genres and push traditional boundaries. STRIPLV: Do you feel your approach to films is changing? JOHNSON: Certainly, because I feel like I now possess the confidence to embrace risk here and there, when the right thing comes along. The newfound freedom I feel is definitely thrilling. STRIPLV: Did you always want to follow in your parents’ footsteps? JOHNSON: Of course, and being in this industry is everything I ever dreamed of, and it brings me immense joy. My grandmother, Tippi Hedren, has been a significant source of inspiration for me. Her straightforward yet profound advice, like “trust yourself” and “believe in the goodness of others,” continues to guide me. My family, including my grandmother, instilled in me the value of finding happiness within myself. They've encouraged me to savor time before marriage and parenthood, emphasising the unique importance it has in life's journey. While all that does sound pretty deep and profound, it was so nice to hear those kind words of support, because the older I’ve gotten, the more I feel like I have to prove something to people. STRIPLV: What fascinated you about the movie business when you were growing up around it so much? JOHNSON: This is the world I grew up in. I always enjoyed being on a film set when I was a kid, and I knew I wanted to act for my whole life. I never really made a decision to become an actress; it's just something I always knew. For me, it was like a playground where I could use my imagination. When my dad worked on Nash Bridges, I spent a lot of time on the San Francisco set, and I loved it. A film set feels like home to me, where I belong and feel most at ease. I'm my own person now. What I had was a beginning. When you follow in your parents' footsteps, it's natural to worry about making your own name in the industry. Even today, I'm always searching for roles where I'm judged solely on my acting, not anything else. My parents have supported me, but I take things one step at a time, which helps me stay calm about decisions and what happens. They taught me not to get caught up in the hype and stay calm. I grew up understanding what actors go through because of stories and paparazzi. I remember going out with my parents, and sometimes it bothered me when people kept coming to our table for autographs, although I was more upset about it than they were! STRIPLV: Do you feel there's pressure on people and, in turn, on yourself, to couple up, settle down, and stay together? JOHNSON: Throughout history, society has expected women – more than men – to marry and have kids. This pressure has always been there. If women don't follow this traditional path, they can face criticism. In my life, I've realised that making choices about relationships is a lot like making career decisions. It's all about listening to your heart and doing what feels right. The way people meet these days is still pretty weird to me. I don't like it; it makes me uncomfortable. I find it creepy. I'm not really into social media; I have a more traditional and romantic view. I believe men should be polite and sometimes pay for things!
MUSIC IN HER BLOOD
For Dakota Johnson, music is both heritage and home. Dakota Johnson’s famous family tree is well known – she is the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and stepdaughter of Antonio Banderas.
Her musical heritage is fascinating, too. Tippi Hedren was connected with Hollywood’s 1960s music scene, while her father’s song Heartbeat reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.
Dakota herself has often said she feels most comfortable surrounded by musicians, perhaps unsurprising given her longtime partner was Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin.
She’s appeared in music videos—Coldplay’s Cry Cry Cry in 2020, which she co-directed, and Paul McCartney’s Who Cares—curated soundtracks, and performed in Fifty Shades Darker.