Dakota Johnson’s career may be quietly slipping into the shadows—and sources say her relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin could be to blame.
Insiders are buzzing that the Fifty Shades of Grey star, 34, has become increasingly reclusive due to Martin’s desire to keep her close. The British rocker, 48, reportedly prefers a quiet life, often pulling Johnson away from major Hollywood events and networking opportunities.
Despite their long-running relationship, which began in 2017, those close to Johnson believe the pairing could be hurting her career at a crucial moment. One source put it bluntly, saying Dakota is on track to spend the rest of her life with Chris, but her friends wonder if that’s really good for her future in film.
Career setback after Madame Web flop
Johnson’s 2024 superhero flick Madame Web was a major box office disappointment, and many in the industry believe now is the time she should be hustling to bounce back. But insiders claim she’s been largely off the radar—socially and professionally.
Dakota needs to be out there meeting directors, building relationships, and working the Hollywood circuit, said one source. Instead, she’s been holed up in Chris’s Malibu home for weeks on end, which makes people forget about her. The source added that being out of sight also means being out of mind for casting directors and producers.
The actress, who comes from Hollywood royalty—her mother is Melanie Griffith and her father is Don Johnson—made waves with her breakout role in Fifty Shades. But her follow-up roles haven’t made the same impact, and industry insiders believe her low visibility isn’t helping.
Love life outshines Hollywood ambition
While fans may see her relationship as picture-perfect, some say Martin’s preference for privacy could be undermining Johnson’s big-screen potential. The couple, who were spotted holding hands in Mumbai earlier this year, have kept their romance low-key. But according to one insider, Chris wants Dakota with him constantly when he’s not touring.
Chris has been in the game for over two decades and prefers life away from the spotlight. But Dakota is still building her legacy, and his lifestyle doesn’t align with the path of someone chasing leading-lady status, the source explained.
Even the approval of Martin’s ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, hasn’t helped raise Johnson’s Hollywood profile. A source scoffed that nobody cares about Gwyneth’s blessing when Dakota is missing out on chances to land another blockbuster role.
She wants to be the biggest female star in Hollywood, but this relationship is shrinking her world instead of expanding it, the source added.
For now, Johnson remains in Malibu while the industry waits to see if she’ll reclaim her place in the spotlight—or stay in the background.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.