Dakota Johnson reveals her singular dating deal-breaker is simply “not an a——” while promoting her new film amid swirling rumors about her relationship status with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
At a Glance
- Dakota Johnson shared her relationship non-negotiable during a “Today” show appearance with co-star Chris Evans
- Recent reports claimed Johnson and Chris Martin had split after eight years together, but her spokesperson denied these rumors
- In their new film “Materialists,” Johnson plays a matchmaker who struggles with her own love life
- Co-star Chris Evans revealed his own relationship deal-breaker is that a potential partner “must love dogs”
- The film explores changing social norms around relationships and authentic living
Johnson’s Simple Relationship Standard
During a recent appearance on the TODAY show to promote her upcoming film “Materialists,” Dakota Johnson kept it refreshingly straightforward when asked about her relationship deal-breaker. The 34-year-old actress stated plainly that her one non-negotiable in a partner is that they’re “not an a——.” Her candid response drew laughter from the TODAY crew and her co-star Chris Evans, who shared the interview segment with her while discussing their new romantic comedy.
Evans, for his part, revealed his own relationship standard with equal clarity: “I would say must love dogs. Gotta love dogs. If you’re not a dog person, what are we doing?” The easy chemistry between the co-stars helped highlight the themes of their new film, where Johnson plays a professional matchmaker struggling to find love herself despite her expertise in pairing others.
Relationship Rumors and Denials
Johnson’s comments about relationship standards come at a particularly interesting time, as rumors recently circulated that she and longtime boyfriend Chris Martin had ended their relationship after nearly eight years together. People magazine had reported that the split between the actress and the Coldplay frontman was permanent, suggesting that the couple who had been dating since 2017 had called it quits despite previous engagement rumors from December 2020.
However, a representative for Johnson quickly moved to squash these breakup claims, definitively stating that “the reports are not true” and indicating that the couple remains happily together. This contradicts the narrative that had begun circulating in entertainment news circles and suggests that despite occasional “ups and downs,” as sources have described their relationship, Johnson and Martin continue to maintain their private partnership away from excessive public scrutiny.
Art Imitating Life in “Materialists”
In “Materialists,” Johnson portrays Lucy, a character described as someone focused on others’ hearts rather than her own—a professional matchmaker who struggles with her personal romantic life. The film includes a complex love triangle involving characters played by Johnson, Evans, and Pedro Pascal, exploring how modern relationships navigate changing social expectations and norms around commitment and authenticity.
Evans elaborated on the film’s themes during their TODAY appearance, noting how traditional relationship structures have shifted over generations. Johnson has previously questioned conventional relationship norms like marriage and divorce in real life, perhaps drawing parallels between her character’s journey and her own perspectives on modern partnerships.
Balancing Privacy and Public Life
Johnson has consistently maintained a private approach to her relationship with Martin. In previous interviews, she emphasized their mutual preference for staying home rather than participating in high-profile public events together. This desire for privacy aligns with her character in “Materialists,” who helps others find love while keeping her own emotional vulnerabilities protected.
The actress reportedly hopes viewers of the film will consider living authentically and understanding their true desires—a theme that resonates with her own approach to balancing a high-profile career with a deliberately low-key personal life. As Johnson continues promoting “Materialists” alongside Evans, her straightforward dating standard of simply avoiding partners who behave poorly reflects both her on-screen character’s journey and her apparent real-life relationship philosophy.