Details About Chris Martin & Dakota Johnson’s Romance Amid Their Breakup

Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are reportedly broken up for a “final” time, according to insiders, so please bear with us while we mourn their sweet romance.

“It feels final this time,” a source told People on June 4, claiming the couple ended their eight-year relationship in recent weeks.

The pair started dating in 2017 after being set up by mutual friends and kept their love story largely out of the public eye. The Fifty Shades of Grey actress didn’t confirm their romance until a Sept 2018 in an interview with Tatler, simply saying, “I’m not going to talk about it, but I am very happy.”

In a super-rare 2021 interview with Elle UK, Johnson said, “We’ve been together for quite a while, and we go out sometimes, but we both work so much that it’s nice to be at home and be cozy and private. Most of the partying takes place inside my house.”

In March 2024, it was reported that the couple had been secretly engaged “for years” after first sparking engagement rumors in 2020. However, in August 2024, Johnson rep was forced to shut down breakup rumors as outlets began to speculate that the duo were on the rocks.

Now that the pair have officially called off their romance, we’re looking back at what once was.

Check out all the little-known details we know about Johnson and Martin’s ultra-private romance below:

A version of this article was originally published with Sept 2023.

Dakota Johnson Had a Close Bond With Chris Martin’s Kids

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Chris Martin shares two children with his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, Apple Martin, born in May 2004, and Moses Martin, born in April 2006.

Throughout her relationship with Martin, Johnson was pictured out with his kids, having a great time, and going on family vacations.
She Adored Being a Stepmother to Martin’s Kids

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In March 2024, Johnson was asked by Bustle about her relationship with Martin’s children. “I love those kids like my life depends on it. With all my heart,” she said.
They Talked About Having Kids Together

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In the same interview with Bustle, Johnson talked about how she’s open to motherhood, too. She said, “I’m so open to that. I’ve gotten to this place where I really want to experience everything that life has to offer. And especially being a woman, I’m like, What a magical f*cking thing to do. What a crazy, magical, wild experience. If that’s meant to happen for me, I’m totally down for it.”
Dakota Frequently Went to Chris’s Shows

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There have been numerous photos and videos of Dakota happily dancing along at a Coldplay show. In fact, in 2023, fans caught a sweet moment where Martin got her attention while she was in the VIP box.
She Adored Watching Him Play in Concert

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Along with frequently going to see Martin play in concert, Johnson told Bustle she absolutely adores seeing him! “I love watching him. I could watch him every day. I don’t know how to explain it. I feel like, I don’t know… I’m watching my most favorite being do his most favorite thing,” she said. “When people are really good at things, it is [sexy.]”
They Didn’t Shy Away From PDA

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In photos obtained by People in February, the pair were seen holding hands and cozying up while on vacation at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
They Moved in Together in 2021

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Back in 2021, after four years together, they moved in together and lived in Martin’s Malibu mansion. He sold it a year after and moved to another home in Malibu. And, fun fact, Johnson told SheKnows that her Daddio co-star Sean Penn is one of their celebrity neighbours.
Martin Helped Johnson’s Mental Health

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On Nov 14, Dakota Johnson revealed at the 2023 Hope for Depression Research Foundation annual luncheon that Martin helps her out on the tough days, in a rather cute and funny way.

“A few weeks ago, I was having a low day and my partner, said to me, ‘Are you really struggling?’ and I said ‘No?’” she said, “And he said, ‘Baby, you are wearing a Cats T-shirt.’ As in Cats the music. So it turns out, I really was struggling. But that moment lifted me up and pulled me out of it.”
Johnson & Martin Worked Together on a Music Video

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While Johnson frequently goes to Martin’s shows, she even directed the Coldplay music video “Cry, Cry, Cry.” The single was released on Valentine’s Day in 2020, and along with Johnson, the video was also co-directed Cory Bailey.
Johnson & Martin Allegedly Have Matching Tattoos

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In 2018, Harper’s Bazaar reported that the two were seen with matching infinity symbol tattoos, with Johnson’s on her elbow and Martin’s on the inside of his arm.

As of 2023, Johnson has 12 tattoos and Martin has six.
Johnson Helped Martin Improve Coldplay Shows

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Not only has Johnson attended many Colplay concerts and directed a music video, but she even helped Martin improve the shows by introducing him to SubPacs. For those that don’t know, SubPacs are a device that helps the hearing impaired enjoy the shows more by letting them feel the vibrations of a concert.

Martin talked about it on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, saying, “Dakota, my partner, gave me one as a gift because she saw someone online experiencing whatever they are experiencing with this. It’s kind of like body armor that you put on. It connects to the bass.”

He added: “So, we started using it and it’s been so amazing and it should get better and better. We have ten or twenty now of those packs. So, if you’re hearing impaired we have an area where you put on the pack and you can feel the show.”
Martin Called Johnson ‘His Universe’

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Get ready for this one because during a show in London back in Oct 2021, Martin pointed to Dakota Johnson in the audience and said, “This is about my universe. She’s here,” per ET.
Martin’s Ex-Wife Paltrow Loves Johnson

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Not only has Johnson been on several holidays with Chris Martin, his kids, and Gwyneth Paltrow, but Paltrow also “adores” Dakota! Paltrow posted a birthday tribute to Johnson on Instagram in 2019, per People. And soon after, she told Harper’s Bazaar, “I love her. I can see how it would seem weird because it’s sort of unconventional… I adore her.”
Both of Johnson’s Parents Adore Martin

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In a rare interview with People in 2018, Johnson’s mom Melanie Griffith said, “I adore him! “But [Dakota] is very private about her life, and I respect that.” Along with Griffith, Dakota’s dad Don Johnson talked about how he feels about Martin.

In Nov 2021, he said, “But listen, if she’s happy, I will be happy, and he’s a lovely guy. And if she decides to get married, I would imagine that there would be grandchildren not too far out for that. I’d be pretty excited about that part.”