Dakota Johnson was born on October 4, 1989 in Austin, Texas, USA, in the family of famous actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. After her parents' divorce, Antonio Banderas became Dakota's stepfather. She was in an acting environment since childhood, so she began to be interested in this profession early. Dakota studied dancing and singing, and at the age of 12 she decided to start a modeling career after she starred for Teen Vogue magazine in the “children of celebrities” section. In 2006, she signed a contract with IMG Models, and although her acting career now takes up most of Dakota's time, she also appears in various advertising campaigns. That same year, she received the Miss Golden Globe Award, which is given to the children of celebrities.
Childhood and youth
Dakota Johnson's biography is closely connected with Hollywood. The girl is a third generation actress. She was born in October 1989 in Texas, in the family of famous Hollywood actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, “Detective Nash Bridges.” A famous person was her grandmother Tippi Hedren, formerly one of Alfred Hitchcock's main muses and a fashion model. Grandfather Peter Griffith was an equally popular actor. Multinational blood flows in Dakota's veins - Norwegian, English, Swedish and German.
Dakota Johnson with her mother, stepfather and sister
In 1996, after her parents’ divorce and her mother’s third marriage, her stepfather Antonio Banderas took up raising the girl. He became a truly dear person and patron to her. In addition to Dakota, half-brother Alexander and sister Stella grew up in the family.
The future actress received a prestigious education at Aspen Community School. Since school, the girl was fond of choreography and, like most “star” children, was interested in modeling.
Dakota Johnson with mother Melanie Griffith
At the age of 12, Dakota Johnson first posed as a model for the elite magazine Teen Vogue, after which she seriously thought about a modeling career. To realize herself in the harsh world of the fashion industry, the aspiring fashion model had all the ingredients - a spectacular appearance, expressive facial features, a slender figure, excellent taste and impeccable style. With a height of 171 cm, her weight did not exceed 55 kg. These undeniable “trump cards” promised her great success in the modeling business.
In 2006, young Dakota Johnson signed a contract with the popular modeling agency IMG Models. And in 2009-2010, the fashion model became the face of an advertising campaign for the MANGO brand and began collaborating with the fashion label of the Australian company Wish.
Movies
Bohemian life and work as a fashion model did not stop Dakota Johnson from trying her hand at the film set. The girl inherited acting talent, the ability to transform and charisma from numerous relatives who managed to make their way to the top of Hollywood.
The cinematic biography of Dakota Johnson began with a minor role in the film “A Woman Without Rules,” which was released in 1999. The film turned out to be a family film, because Stella Banderas’ mother and younger sister played in it. And the producer of the film masterpiece turned out to be Antonio Banderas's stepfather. The film received a warm audience reception and flattering reviews from critics. But Dakota Johnson did not become famous after its release.
Over the next 10 years, Dakota Johnson practically did not appear on television. She returned to cinema only in 2010. She starred in the film about Facebook “The Social Network” along with actor Justin Timberlake.
Dakota Johnson in the movie "The Social Network"
The film with Hollywood favorite Timberlake brought recognition to Dakota Johnson. But she was able to taste fame only 2 years later, in 2012, when she starred in the leading role in the film “Ben and Kate.” This is a comedy series by Dana Fox that aired on Fox from September 2012 to January 2013.
After this brilliant work, the artist starred in the satirical pseudo-documentary film “The Office,” which touchingly and funnyly tells about the life of office workers. The film received a number of prestigious awards, including the Golden Globe and Emmy.
Dakota Johnson in the series "Ben and Kate"
During this period, Dakota Johnson's filmography was enriched with several more successful projects. The most striking of them were the short film “All That Glitters,” the melodrama “Terribly Beautiful” and the comedy “Goats.” In the latest film, directed by Christopher Neal, the girl worked with Hollywood celestials David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga and Graham Phillips.
Less noticeable, but still successful, were the comedies “Macho and Geek” with Channing Tatum, “Knocked Up” and the adventure film “Need for Speed,” in which Dakota Johnson got prominent roles.
Dakota Johnson in the movie "Macho and Nerd"
The actress's popularity grew. Soon she found herself among the idols of youth. Nylon Magazine named Dakota Johnson one of the 55 faces of the future.
But the project that brought the young artist deafening world fame was waiting for her ahead. In 2013, the star was cast in the lead female role in the film adaptation of E. L. James' novel Fifty Shades of Grey. Johnson was cast for the role of student Anastasia Steele.
Dakota Johnson in the movie "50 Shades of Gray"
There was a scandal. Fans of the bestseller were unhappy with the choice of the main character. They felt that Dakota was not attractive and young enough to play Anastacia. And they even wrote an angry petition demanding a re-casting. More than 20 thousand people signed it.
However, Dakota Johnson played student Anastasia Steele. And woke up famous. After the premiere of the scandalous erotic film, critics fell silent: the actress’s work turned out to be impeccable. Her partner on the project was Jamie Dornan.
Dakota Johnson in the movie "50 Shades of Gray"
According to Dakota, the need to be naked for racy scenes was not a stumbling block for her. To the delight of directors and producers, Johnson has no sense of shame at all.
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson found themselves at the peak of popularity after the premiere of Fifty Shades of Gray. For some time they became the most talked about actors in Hollywood.
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson
That same year, 3 new films starring Dakota Johnson were released. They remained somewhat overshadowed by the acclaimed "Shades", but were nonetheless hailed as a success. These are the films “Chloe and Theo”, “A Bigger Splash” and “Black Mass”. Over time, the actress’s repertoire was replenished with a role in the project “Cymbeline” based on the work of William Shakespeare. The actress was accompanied by Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris, and Milla Jovovich.
In 2020, the artist starred in the project “Actively Searching.” According to the plot of the film, Dakota’s heroine leaves a young man, the relationship with whom has exhausted itself, and moves in with her sister. Alison Brie, Leslie Mann, and Rebel Wilson also played in the film about the difficulties of life in the metropolis.
At first it was a literary phenomenon. Fifty Shades of Gray was published in France in 2012 and became a bestseller even before sales began. E.L. James manages to turn a harlequin love story into an ode to sensuality. Alas, it has nothing in common with de Sade, Houellebecq and the vicious erotic literature of the eighteenth century... The peculiarity of this saga is that it again brought people to bookstores, then, when the film was released on February 11, 2015, to cinemas. Since Hollywood has always been good at turning popular stories into blockbusters, this film was a success as expected, simultaneously cementing hopes for subsequent films. It was because of this factor that Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan met with journalists from around the world in a huge, gloomy room at Universal Studios while promoting the film Fifty Shades Darker. She is just like her character, cold and reserved. He is a charming Englishman with good manners.The first film is built on sex, humor and dominance. In the second, perhaps, Anastasia takes power into her own hands.
Dakota Johnson: Given the ending of the first film, it's very important for her to take control of their relationship. If Christian wants to be with her, it will be on her terms. But, of course, their relationship will develop. Anastasia will not only compromise, but will also sacrifice her beliefs for him. Just like him, actually.
Is this a love story or a battle between two egos?
Jamie Dornan: Love! It contains the essence of the films and the novel. Fifty Shades isn't about two selves facing off; it's about two people trying to build their love in the best possible way. The films do justice to the books and remain fairly close to them in content.
The movies are a little more fun. Anastasia on the silver screen is much more entertaining than on the pages of a book, isn’t it?
Dakota Johnson: She's a pretty strong character.
Jamie Dornan
: However, perhaps it was you who gave her this strength, strength of character, sense of humor.
Dakota Johnson
: Perhaps... I think she's quite funny, but not everyone sees that in her.
Jamie Dornan:
Well, in the second film this aspect of her character will be revealed even more. [laughs]
How do each of you see your characters?
Jamie Dornan: Ha, if only we knew! We constantly discuss this among ourselves and with the director. But I don't feel like a big brother giving advice to my little sister. We're just trying to stay on the same page.
These roles involve real intimacy. Did you have to become friends in real life to make this possible?
Dakota Johnson: We have a special relationship. I'm very close to Jamie's wife, his children, she's a wonderful person. There are a huge number of franchises filmed in Hollywood, but, in my opinion, this is the only one where the actors became real friends. On the other hand, if this were not the case, it would complicate everything...
Did you make friends off set?
Jamie Dornan: I wouldn't say that. We work thirteen hours a day together, so we've had time to get to know each other! [Laughs.] It brings people together, creates shared memories. Many will say that it’s all a movie, but we became friends pretty quickly. We have the same approaches to roles, we don’t mind laughing, especially after the most intense scenes. We are now deeply connected. The success that we experienced together was also quite a test.
You were filming in Nice when the terrorist attack occurred.
Jamie Dornan: I was there with my family, the film crew was in Monaco at the time. We were sleeping during the attack because I have small children, so we go to bed early. But at night they called me a lot, asking if everything was okay. Dakota Johnson:
But I didn't sleep. I didn’t go to bed until I found out if everything was okay with all the team members. I collected information drop by drop... It was a very difficult event. We wanted to stay to help France. And even more so, I didn’t want to shock people with the sight of a film crew from Hollywood who came only to work. As a young American woman, I have never been so close to the epicenter of an attack. I spent hours watching TV and reading newspapers.
The next day, Mr. Gray and Miss Steele couldn't tell that anything had happened?
Dakota Johnson: But it happened. We asked the French who worked on our team if we should pause filming out of respect. But they asked us in unison to continue, to return to work, not wanting to dance to the tune of terrorists.
How do you see your career continuing? There is always a risk that you will be constantly identified with your characters.
Dakota Johnson: Personally, it doesn't bother me. I can’t believe that someone will always see me as Anastasia.
Jamie Dornan:
Agree. I think I can distance myself from my hero. How many actors had iconic roles before me and which of them went on to star in other films? The real problem here is just the inability to portray the character with the same intensity. The challenge is to keep working, to look for good projects, ones that people would like to see.
Jamie, your choice of roles is amazing. You just starred in a film by French director Alexandre Aja, The Ninth Life of Louis Drax. Quite a small project...
Jamie Dornan: It's definitely different from Hollywood franchises. The budget is completely different, but the stakes are the same, and I just need that balance between these kinds of “personal” projects and high-profile films. I also really want to do a TV show where you can do a lot more in terms of writing than a classic film. Although in a sense, I owe the freedom that I now have to Christian Gray.
Dakota Johnson:
Fifty Shades is a real platform for us to work on. Films allow us to open up. Instead of confining us to one role, as you suggest, they open up new horizons.
Now you are under the guns of the paparazzi 24/7. Is it like the proverb: no pain, no gain?
Jamie Dornan: I don't care, I just pretend they don't exist. I have never been interested in other people's lives, so I live as usual. When people gather in Paris near the Opera Garnier because we are filming there, that's just a certain moment in my life. The next day something different awaits me. My everyday life does not involve filming a film in Paris. This is just a few days... Moreover, this kind of “incident” is an extremely rare occurrence.
Dakota Johnson
: I try to live as normal a life as possible. Of course, I have famous parents, but I also have many friends who do not belong to the world of cinema. Of course, when I go to a premiere, I always think about what I should wear. But when I go shopping, I don’t care much. [Laughs.]
Jamie Dornan:
The more you think about it, the more crazy you get. It's better to try to live a normal life.
Dakota Johnson:
And it would be boring to think through every day what you should do, what you should say...
So fame and recognition are not a problem for you?
Jamie Dornan: Yes, it is. We may just be better at dealing with it than other people. We live in a rural area and few people are interested in Mr. Gray. I'd get more attention if I spent five days a week in New York clubs. It was fun when I was twenty. Now I'm thirty-four and it's not like that.
Jamie, in England you were a member of a rock band. Was it that success that pushed you into a film career?
Jamie Dornan: [Laughs] We were friends, we started when we were seventeen, without any ulterior motive. Many wanted us to finally break up. But the adventure had a sudden ending.
Dakota Johnson:
I can't imagine you in a rock band. [Laughs.]
Some critics have called Fifty Shades a mixture of Cinderella and The Life of Adele. What do you think of it?
Dakota Johnson: Oh, I like it. But how many people actually say that? Either way, I find it flattering. This is great!
Jamie Dornan:
I like these movies, so I don't mind either. In this particular case.
The translation was made by little_eeyore specifically for the site www.twilightrussia.ru and the group https://vk.com/twilightrussiavk. When copying material, be sure to include an active link to the site, group and author of the translation.
Full interview with Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan for Paris Match (2017)
Personal life
In 2010, the future Hollywood star began dating popular guitarist Noah Gersh. This beautiful couple has been together for 4 years. It is noteworthy that the girl was never known to be flighty. Her friends and colleagues claim that Dakota is a supporter of long-term relationships.
In 2014, actor Jordan Masterson became her boyfriend. But the actress's approval for the film "Fifty Shades of Gray" ruined Johnson's personal life. The couple began to have conflicts and disagreements. Rumor has it that Geordie was unhappy that his lover would star in sex scenes. The guy attends the Church of Scientology and is quite scrupulous in matters of morality. Masterson and Johnson split up.
The actress did not remain alone for long. She began dating the frontman of the indie rock band Drowners, Matthew Hitt. But the scandalous fame that befell Dakota after the release of Fifty Shades of Gray turned out to be too destructive for the couple’s relationship. Hitt could not stand the unprecedented attention and excitement around his beloved. A separation followed.
Matthew Hitt and Dakota Johnson
But what a surprise the journalists were when they caught the couple together again. Rumor has it that their separation was not real. It’s just that the public, after the release of the film, expected that the on-screen romance with Jamie Dornan would continue in life. Therefore, the producers asked the actress not to advertise her relationship with Matthew Hitt: let the public think that Johnson was dating Dornan.
But there is another version. Allegedly, Matthew Hitt really left his beloved. It was hard for him to come to terms with the fact that, according to the terms of the contract, Dakota Johnson was obliged to star in the sequels of “Shades,” which were released 2 and 3 years later.
Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan
In 2015, immediately after breaking up with Hitt, the star was again at the top of the news. Paparazzi photographed her together with the extravagant model Cara Delevingne, who recently admitted her bisexuality. The couple attended Karl Lagerfeld's party, which he hosted on his yacht. The girlfriends were in a great mood and held hands tightly. All the tabloids published their photos. But the beauties did not give any more food for conversation and did not appear together.
Cara Delevingne and Dakota Johnson
In the fall of 2020, Chris Martin, frontman of the rock band Coldplay, became Dakota's new boyfriend. The young people began dating a year after the musician’s divorce from Gwyneth Paltrow. At first, the lovers hid their relationship, even the paparazzi couldn’t photograph them together, and Dakota’s official Instagram account still doesn’t have any joint photos with her chosen one.
But the tabloids reported that the girl had already introduced her lover to her parents. It is not known whether things are heading towards a wedding and whether Chris will become Dakota’s husband, but in the fall of 2020, the actress and musician showed off identical tattoos in the form of the infinity sign - “eight”.
Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin
Dakota Johnson interests fans not only as a talented performer, but also as a trendsetter. The actress's bangs have become the most copied among fans. But sometimes the actress’s look puzzles film critics. For example, at the 2017 Oscars, Dakota appeared in a dress of a “grandmother’s cut” and with minimal makeup, which film academics immediately called the star’s beauty failure.
Dakota Johnson, photo - intimate scenes were not easy for the actress
The artist does not hide the fact that her figure is far from the ideal that is accepted in society. Yes, she’s not too tall and not thin enough, yes, she has a few extra pounds, but that doesn’t make her love herself and her body any less.
As Johnson admits, the intimate scenes in the film, of which there are quite a few, were not easy for her, both from a moral and physical point of view. She had to exhaust herself with diets and sports in order to look very beautiful on camera.
According to Dakota, she eats practically nothing and constantly trained so as not to disappoint the public, who subsequently contemplate her naked body in the frame.
“The film shows my body a lot more than Jamie’s,” she laughs.
I also had to prepare mentally for the scenes. Dakota knew what she was getting into when she auditioned for the role, but still could not be naked every time at the direction of the director, because she needed a special mood and inspiration.
“I really had to prepare for every single shot and know exactly what we were going to do and how we were going to do it. And each time it didn’t get easier. I knew what I signed up for. Of course, they don’t force me to take off my clothes, I chose it myself,” says the actress.
She emphasized that her relationship with the lead actor, Jamie Dornan, was decisive for filming. During filming, she and Dornan developed a great relationship.
“Luckily Jamie and I were so comfortable with each other and we both felt safe and secure. But still, it’s scary,” the artist noted.
Dakota Johnson now
For the last 2 years, the actress has been busy filming the continuation of the famous franchise, which was called “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed.” Dakota also played in the project “No Good at the El Royale,” which starred Chris Hemsworth, Jon Hamm and Jeff Bridges.
At the 2020 Venice Film Festival, the horror film Suspiria was presented, in which Johnson played a young dancer. A student at the Berlin Ballet School witnesses mysterious events. The other main role in the film was played by Tilda Swinton.
Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton at the premiere of the film "Suspiria" in 2020
Johnson is currently filming The Peanut Butter Falcon. The main character of the adventure film will be a young man with Down syndrome who escapes from the clinic. A street swindler and an intern are forced onto him as traveling companions. The main roles, in addition to Dakota Johnson, will be played by Shia LaBeouf and Jon Bernthal.
Dakota Johnson, the actress, told what she learned during filming
The main character of the film, Anastasia Steele, is an ordinary and slightly naive girl. This is exactly what Dakota herself was like at the beginning of working on the role. Three films in a row have made her more sophisticated and experienced - she openly talks about this to her fans.
Before filming, Dakota had only a vague idea of what BDSM was and what couples could resort to to diversify their intimacy. The girl had to learn a lot in theory in order to competently play her role, and therefore now she can easily apply all sorts of “tricks” in practice.
According to Dakota Johnson, she began to feel much sexier and freer, which undoubtedly affects her intimate life.
