Dakota Johnson may be best known for her roles in Fifty Shades of Grey and The Lost Daughter, but her love life has been just as captivating as her filmography. As the daughter of Hollywood royalty (Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson), Dakota grew up in the spotlight—and her romantic entanglements have often made headlines. From teenage flings to high-profile relationships with musicians and actors, her dating history is a mix of whirlwind romances, quiet breakups, and a few scandals.
In this deep dive, we’re breaking down every confirmed (and rumored) relationship in Dakota Johnson’s dating past—ranked chronologically—along with the juicy details that had fans and tabloids buzzing. Whether you’re a longtime admirer or just curious about her love life, this is the ultimate guide to Dakota’s romantic journey.
---Early Romances: Dakota’s Teenage Years and First Loves
Before she became a household name, Dakota Johnson was just another teen navigating love in Hollywood. Her earliest relationships flew under the radar, but a few notable names emerged as she stepped into young adulthood.
1. Noah Gersh (2006–2009)
Dakota’s first serious relationship was with Noah Gersh, a musician and the son of Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels. The couple met in high school and dated for nearly three years, with Dakota even accompanying Gersh to his prom in 2008. While their relationship was relatively low-key, it marked Dakota’s first taste of long-term commitment.
Why They Broke Up: The pair reportedly drifted apart as Dakota began pursuing acting more seriously. Gersh later married model Lily Kwong in 2014.
2. Jordan Masterson (2010–2011)
After her split from Gersh, Dakota briefly dated actor Jordan Masterson, best known for his role in The Last Song (2010). Their relationship was short-lived but notable because it overlapped with Dakota’s early acting gigs, including a guest spot on Ben and Kate (2012).
Why They Broke Up: The couple’s breakup was amicable, with sources citing conflicting schedules as the main issue. Masterson later married actress Brittany Snow in 2020.
---The Rise to Fame: Dakota’s High-Profile Flings and Whirlwind Romances
As Dakota’s career took off with 21 Jump Street (2012) and Need for Speed (2014), so did her love life. This era saw her linked to some of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors—though not all relationships were confirmed.
3. Matthew Hitt (2012–2014)
Dakota’s most serious relationship before Fifty Shades fame was with Welsh musician Matthew Hitt, frontman of the band Drowners. The two met in 2012 and were frequently spotted at music events and cozy dinners in NYC.
Relationship Highlights:
- Dakota was often seen supporting Hitt at his band’s performances.
- They took a romantic trip to Italy in 2013, where paparazzi captured them kissing by the Colosseum.
- Hitt even wrote a song, "Well, People Will Talk", rumored to be about Dakota.
Why They Broke Up: The couple called it quits in 2014, just as Dakota’s star was rising. Hitt later hinted in interviews that their breakup was due to her burgeoning fame, saying, "It’s hard when one person’s life changes so dramatically."
4. Jon Hamm (2014) – The Rumored Fling
After her split from Hitt, Dakota was rumored to have had a brief fling with Mad Men star Jon Hamm. The pair were spotted leaving the same NYC hotel in 2014, sparking speculation—but neither ever confirmed the romance.
Did It Really Happen?
- Hamm was freshly separated from his longtime partner, Jennifer Westfeldt, at the time.
- Sources told Us Weekly they were "hanging out" but nothing serious.
- Dakota later joked in interviews about the rumors, neither confirming nor denying.
The Chris Martin Era: Dakota’s Most Public (and Controversial) Relationship
No discussion of Dakota Johnson’s love life is complete without addressing her two-year relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. This pairing was one of the most talked-about celebrity couples of the mid-2010s—thanks to their 15-year age gap, Martin’s recent divorce from Gwyneth Paltrow, and their ultra-private dynamic.
5. Chris Martin (2017–2019)
Dakota and Chris were first linked in October 2017 after they were photographed leaving a Coldplay concert together. Despite initial denial from reps, the couple was later confirmed to be dating.
Relationship Timeline:
- Late 2017: Spotted at a Coldplay after-party in LA, holding hands.
- 2018: Vacationed together in the Maldives and Italy. Dakota was seen at multiple Coldplay performances.
- 2019: Attended the Met Gala together (though not on the red carpet).
- May 2019: Broke up after nearly two years together.
Controversies and Drama:
- Age Gap Scrutiny: Martin was 40 when they started dating; Dakota was 25. Critics called the relationship "creepy," while fans defended their connection.
- Gwyneth Paltrow’s Reaction: Paltrow (Martin’s ex-wife) reportedly approved of Dakota, calling her "lovely" in interviews.
- Breakup Rumors: Speculation swirled that Martin wanted to reconcile with Paltrow, but sources claimed they simply "grew apart."
Post-Breakup Drama:
- Dakota was spotted deleting photos of Chris from her Instagram after the split.
- Martin later dated Dua Lipa in 2021, while Dakota moved on with another musician (more on that below).
Dakota’s Take on the Relationship: In a 2020 interview with Vanity Fair, she called the media frenzy around her dating life "exhausting" and said, "I don’t think about it anymore. It’s not my reality."
---Post-Chris Martin: Dakota’s Low-Key Rebound and Current Status
After her high-profile split from Martin, Dakota took a step back from the dating scene—at least publicly. However, a few names have surfaced in recent years.
6. The Mystery Musician (2020) – Was It Harry Styles?
In early 2020, Dakota was rumored to be dating Harry Styles after they were spotted at the same NYC bar. However, sources quickly shut down the speculation, clarifying they were just friends.
Around the same time, she was linked to another unnamed musician, but no confirmed details emerged. Dakota has kept this chapter of her love life extremely private.
7. Austin Butler (2021–2022) – The Elvis Connection
After Austin Butler’s split from Vanessa Hudgens, rumors swirled that he and Dakota were romantically involved while filming The Bikeriders (2023). The pair were seen grabbing dinner in LA, but both parties denied any romance.
Were They Dating?
- Sources told E! News they were "just friends" and bonding over their shared love of music.
- Butler later began dating model Kaia Gerber, putting an end to the speculation.
8. Is Dakota Johnson Single in 2024?
As of 2024, Dakota Johnson appears to be single and focused on her career. She’s been promoting her latest projects, including Madame Web (2024) and The Lost Daughter (2021), and has made no public comments about dating.
Her Stance on Love Now: In a 2023 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Dakota said: "I’m not in a rush. I’ve learned that love isn’t something you force—it either happens or it doesn’t. And right now, I’m really happy on my own."
---Dakota Johnson’s Dating Patterns: What We Can Learn
Looking back at Dakota’s romantic history, a few trends emerge:
1. She Dates Within the Industry (But Not Always Actors)
While Dakota has been linked to actors like Jon Hamm and Austin Butler, her most serious relationships have been with musicians (Matthew Hitt, Chris Martin). This suggests she’s drawn to creative, performance-driven partners.
2. Privacy Is a Priority
Unlike some celebrities who overshare, Dakota rarely confirms relationships unless absolutely necessary. Even with Chris Martin, she avoided PDAs and kept their romance under wraps for months.
3. Age Gaps Aren’t a Dealbreaker
From Noah Gersh (same age) to Chris Martin (15 years older), Dakota hasn’t shied away from relationships with significant age differences. She’s stated in interviews that "love doesn’t have an expiration date."
4. She Moves On Quickly (But Doesn’t Rush Into Labels)
Dakota’s relationships typically last 1–3 years, and she doesn’t jump into new ones immediately. After Chris Martin, she took a full year before any dating rumors surfaced.
---Dakota Johnson’s Most Controversial Relationship Moments
No celebrity love life is without drama, and Dakota’s has had its fair share of headline-worthy moments.
1. The Chris Martin "Rebound" Accusations
When Dakota and Chris started dating, critics accused her of being a "rebound" for Martin post-Gwyneth. Tabloids ran stories calling her a "homewrecker," though Paltrow herself shut down the narrative.
2. The "Dakota Johnson Stalker" Incident (2018)
During her relationship with Martin, a man named David Kravetz was arrested for stalking Dakota, showing up at her home and sending disturbing messages. The incident highlighted the darker side of fame and dating in the public eye.
3. The "Fifty Shades" Co-Star Rumors
Despite on-screen chemistry with Jamie Dornan, Dakota has vehemently denied any romantic involvement. She’s called him a "brother" and laughed off shipping rumors.
---What’s Next for Dakota Johnson’s Love Life?
At 34, Dakota is in a place where she’s prioritizing herself—both personally and professionally. While fans speculate about a potential reunion with an ex or a new mystery beau, Dakota seems content flying solo for now.
Will She Ever Settle Down? In a 2022 interview, she said: "I don’t know if marriage is for me. I’ve seen it work beautifully, and I’ve seen it fail spectacularly. Right now, I’m focused on being happy, not on a title."
Given her track record, if Dakota does enter a new relationship, it’ll likely be:
- Low-key at first (no grand PDAs or social media announcements).
- With someone creative (musician, artist, or fellow actor).
- Short-lived if it’s not serious—she doesn’t do "situationships."
Conclusion: Dakota Johnson’s Love Life in a Nutshell
From high school sweethearts to rockstar boyfriends, Dakota Johnson’s dating history is a mix of youthful romances, high-profile flings, and quiet heartbreaks. While her relationship with Chris Martin remains her most talked-about romance, her post-breakup era suggests she’s more interested in privacy and self-growth than chasing headlines.
Whether she’s single forever or surprises us with a new love, one thing’s clear: Dakota Johnson does relationships her way—on her terms, in her time, and with minimal explanation to the public. And honestly? That’s pretty refreshing in Hollywood.
What’s your take on Dakota’s love life? Do you think she’ll reunite with an ex, or is she done with serious dating for now? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
0 comments