The Truth About Dakota Johnson's Relationship With Chris Martin

Chances are you've already heard of both Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin. Johnson rose to fame after landing the leading role of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey series. Martin is famed for being the lead singer of the award-winning band Coldplay. What you may not have realized is that Johnson and Martin are actually dating. If this is news to you, we can hardly blame you — the couple is notoriously private about their relationship. Even though they've been together since 2017, neither has ever spoken about the relationship to the public.

Nevertheless, there are a few details about the couple's relationship that we do know. And by the looks of things, the couple could not be happier. From family holidays to potential matching tattoos, they seem to be getting pretty serious. In fact, in late 2020, rumors began to spread that they'd gotten engaged. Curious to find out more? Here is the truth about the relationship between Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin.

The romantic relationship between Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin dates back to October 2017. People was the first publication to report that the couple was dating. The pair was first spotted in Los Angeles on a Tuesday night dinner date at a sushi restaurant.

While it wasn't initially clear that it was a romantic dinner, one source reportedly saw them looking pretty close. As they put it, the couple was "cozy, laughing, and affectionate." Since it was just the two of them, it's pretty clear it was a date.

The pair didn't comment on their relationship for a long time after this first sighting. However, in September of 2018, Johnson seemed to confirm that they were, in fact, dating. In an interview for Tatler, she was asked about Martin. "I'm not going to talk about it," she said at the time (via ET). "But I am very happy."

After what seemed to be the couple's first date in 2017, Dakota Johnson was spotted one month later watching Chris Martin perform. Apparently, she was seen in the VIP box to watch Coldplay's final performance in their Head Full of Dreams tour in Argentina. That's quite a journey to make for a casual date — apparently, things were already getting a little more serious. Apparently, things tend to move pretty fast for Johnson. As she told Vogue earlier that year, "I don't do casual very well, and my feelings, even the good ones, get so intense that they hurt."

According to The Sun, Johnson looked "happy and relaxed" and was seen chatting with members of the crew, while Daily Mail noted that Johnson "appeared transfixed by the performance."

Photos of Johnson sitting in the box appeared on Facebook (via Twitter) at the time of the concert. Needless to say, fans got pretty excited to see what would happen next.

After being spotted at the Coldplay concert, Dakota Johnson was seen on several other dates with the band's lead singer, Chris Martin.

In December 2017, a month after the concert, the pair was seen at a concert in Israel. As a source told Us Weekly, they were "definitely dating." The source said, "They've gotten to know each other really well and are very comfortable [with] one another." Apparently, Martin had even begun sharing his music with Johnson to get her opinion.

In January 2018, the pair was spotted on another date night. As People reported, the couple attended Stella McCartney's Autumn 2018 Collection show in L.A. after sneaking in through a private entrance to avoid the cameras and the red carpet. Once inside, however, they apparently didn't mind getting close. One witness said, "They walked in holding hands and Dakota was not letting go — she was super into the PDA." She allegedly even "slipped her arm through his" when he let go. The onlooker added, "They didn't leave each other's side." The couple was also seen around the same time spending a romantic weekend in Malibu, going on dinner dates and chilling out on the beach (via People).

It seems pretty clear that Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin were very much together as of early 2018. So, it didn't really come as a surprise when they began getting close with Martin's ex-wife, actress Gwyneth Paltrow. In August 2018, Martin and Johnson were spotted with Paltrow and her new husband, Brad Falchuk, relaxing on the beach at the Hamptons (via ET).

In November 2018, around one year after first getting together, Johnson and Martin reportedly spent Thanksgiving with Paltrow, Falchuk, and her children, Apple and Moses, from her marriage with Martin. E! News explained that this was the first big holiday that Johnson had spent with Martin's family. One source told the publication that Paltrow was thrilled to welcome Johnson into the family. "Gwyneth thinks she is lovely. She gets on very well with her and is happy for Chris," the source noted. Apparently, the two women had spent "a good amount of time together" and developed a friendship. Plus, Martin's kids had reportedly warmed to Johnson, too. Sounds like a dream come true!

Throughout 2018, Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin seemed to be getting closer than ever. In addition to their date nights and family holidays, they also spent more of their time bonding in private at home. The relationship was becoming more domestic.

During the summer, People reported that the couple was seen in Malibu walking Johnson's dog, Zeppelin. An insider said that they'd been spending more time at Martin's home. "For the past two weeks, they have spent a lot of time together," noted the source. "Chris lives in Malibu and Dakota seems to love hanging out there." The insider went on to explain that the couple had been entertaining friends for quiet dinners at Martin's home. "They seem to enjoy sharing a quiet life. It does seem they are getting more serious," the source went on. How adorable — we love getting a glimpse into this pair's quiet, simple life.

Even though Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin have been consistently tight-lipped about their relationship, some people close to the couple have spoken publicly about the pair. In fact, Johnson's own mother, Melanie Griffith, spoke to People about the couple in 2018.

"I adore him!" Griffith exclaimed enthusiastically. "But," she added, "[Dakota] is very private about her life, and I respect that." Sounds like Griffith knew her daughter well enough to keep her public praise of Martin to a minimum. In fact, Griffith, who is a well-known actress herself, probably understands the importance of keeping certain things private.

A year later, however, in 2019, Griffith opened up to People again about her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend. "I love my daughter's boyfriend," she gushed. "I think they're an awesome couple." Sounds like Martin certainly won over Johnson's mom! It's so lovely to hear that he's been completely embraced into the Johnson family.

While Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin seemed to have an incredible relationship going, in June of 2019, rumors of a breakup began to circulate through the tabloids. According to The Sun, Martin told his friends that he was once again single after the relationship reportedly ended in May. One source said, "Chris and Dakota were very easygoing and always seemed really happy together." The insider went on to claim that the pair had discussed marriage before the split.

Express spoke to another source who claimed that the alleged breakup was due to the couple's disagreements regarding the possibility of children. Apparently, Martin was eager to start a new family, but Johnson was more focused on her career. According to the source, "It got to the point, last month, where a light seemed to flick on in both their heads and they realized they were pulling in completely opposite directions — so they decided to call it a day." While the rumors about a breakup were never confirmed, it is possible that the pair had a brief hiatus. However, by September 2019, they seemed to be back together and happier than ever.

Even though Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin began dating in late 2017, they did their best to keep their relationship as private as possible for a long time. However, in September 2019, the pair finally went to a public event together as a couple. As Daily Mail reported, the pair attended the Place for Peace gala event in New York City.

Apparently, the couple seemed happy to be out on the town together. They sat next to each other at dinner and appeared happy and comfortable. At one point, Johnson reportedly put her hand on her boyfriend's knee.

It's pretty clear that if they had indeed broken up that summer, the couple had clearly resolved any differences and gotten back together. Rumor has it, Martin's ex, Gwyneth Paltrow, had encouraged the pair to reunite. Whether or not Paltrow was behind it, and whether or not the pair ever did break up, we're super glad this adorable couple seems to have rekindled their romance.

Before he got together with Dakota Johnson, Chris Martin was married to Gwyneth Paltrow. The pair infamously "consciously uncoupled" in 2014, as the actress told Harper's Bazaar in 2018, but seem to have maintained a close friendship. After all, Johnson and Martin have been seen on holidays with Paltrow and her new husband.

Paltrow explained, "It's not like there's a finish line: 'Oh, we consciously uncoupled; we're done.'" As she went on to say, the pair had stayed close because of their children. Luckily, their relationship seems to be pretty good. "I would say very rarely is it difficult now ... We love each other. We laugh." 

Paltrow also opened up about her ex's new girlfriend. It seems that she and Johnson are also close. In fact, Paltrow posted a birthday tribute to Johnson on Instagram. She told Harper's Bazaar, "I love her. I can see how it would seem weird because it's sort of unconventional." She even added, "I adore her." It's so great to see this healthy family dynamic!

It seems that this couple has creative chemistry as well as romantic chemistry. In 2020, the pair actually worked together when Dakota Johnson directed Chris Martin in the Coldplay music video "Cry, Cry, Cry," as UPI reported. The video showed a couple out at a dance hall. The couple ages as they dance, while Coldplay is seen performing on stage.

As Johnson explained to Marie Claire, she didn't receive any special treatment because of her relationship. "I wrote the story and pitched it to the band like every other director did, and they chose mine," she said, adding laughingly, "Not because they're partial to me at all." Apparently, Johnson was completely dedicated to the job while on set. "When I work, I'm constantly thinking about the job," she revealed. "It takes up so much of my brain."

Even if Johnson wasn't picked because of her boyfriend, it's clear that the couple makes a great creative pairing.

As we all know, tattoos are usually a sign of a pretty permanent commitment — especially if your tattoo has anything to do with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Apparently, Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin made the ultimate commitment by getting matching tattoos. As Harper's Bazaar reported, the pair was seen with what appeared to be new tattoos of an infinity symbol in 2018. Johnson's tattoo was seen just below her elbow, while Martin's tattoo was spotted on the inside of his arm.

Nothing really says "together forever" like matching infinity symbol tattoos! In fact, according to The Rocky Mountain Collegian, an infinity tattoo is something of a trend, thanks to the romantic book, A Fault in Our Stars. While it's possible that the tattoos are a coincidence, it's pretty clear that the couple decided to get the tattoos as a romantic gesture. And we have to say — it's super adorable!

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic saw most of us sheltering at home. For celebrities and actors, many had to take time off work and spend time at home. By the looks of things, Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin spent their lockdown living together. In a funny Instagram video from March 2020, Johnson demonstrated hand washing — however, according to People, her hands were actually Martin's hands. The hilarious video shows how much fun the couple has together.

In April, the pair was seen in Malibu walking Johnson's dog. In November, they were spotted again driving through Malibu in Johnson's Mustang while out getting coffee. According to sources who spoke to The Sun, the pair became closer than ever during the lockdown. One said, "Chris and Dakota have had a great summer and it has really cemented their relationship." Sounds like this couple used the 2020 lockdown as a chance to bond and enjoy each other's company.

Fans began to get really excited in late 2020 about Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin's relationship when Johnson was seen out and about sporting a huge ring on her wedding ring finger. People was the first publication to publish photos of the large emerald ring. As the Daily Mail noted, the actress continued to wear the ring in January 2021. And as E! News reported, the actress made little effort to hide the ring from the press. By the looks of things, this ring might just indicate an upcoming wedding!

Needless to say, fans got pretty excited by the ring in question. One user wrote, "Will it ever be a time where I look at this ring and not be amazed? I doubt it." Another said, "Dakota Johnson's engagement ring matches her kitchen and I love that for her." Another user was less convinced, writing, "The fact that all the tabloids are like, 'Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are engaged,' when the girl probably went out and bought the ring for herself."

One great aspect of Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin's relationship is how well Johnson seems to fit in with Martin's family. In fact, by the looks of things, Johnson has a wonderful relationship with her boyfriend's two kids from his marriage with Gwyneth Paltrow.

In 2019, Johnson and Apple, Martin's daughter, were seen grabbing coffee during a family trip to Aspen. The pair was all smiles and looked like old friends — at one point, Johnson even slipped her arm through Apple's (via Metro). In 2020, the couple was spotted on the beach with Martin's kids surfing and relaxing on the beach (via Daily Mail). On another occasion in 2020, Apple and Johnson were spotted on a drive to a farmer's market. The pair actually ended up getting stranded for 20 minutes when the car broke down. Eventually, Martin arrived to take his girlfriend and daughter home (via Daily Mail). It's pretty clear that Johnson has a healthy, close relationship with Martin's kids!