Dakota Johnson has long kept her personal life out of the spotlight, yet her romantic history continues to draw considerable public interest.
The Fifty Shades of Grey actress has reportedly dated several high-profile musicians, with three already part of her past and a fourth—Machine Gun Kelly—now apparently entering her orbit.
Johnson, 36, the daughter of actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, was first linked to Drowners guitarist Matthew Hitt in 2014. Their relationship was reportedly on and off for roughly two years.
She later began dating Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow’s former husband, in 2017. The couple eventually ended their relationship eight years later, following a private engagement. In December, Johnson was linked to musician Role Model, but that romance had reportedly ended by June.
Now, Johnson appears to have fallen for another musician. In July, she attended friend Taylor Swift’s lavish wedding at Madison Square Garden, where she reportedly connected with Machine Gun Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker. The two were already acquainted.
‘Dakota loves rock stars—she can’t help herself. She says she finds them sexy,’ a source told Our News Outlet.
A second insider said rock musicians are firmly Johnson’s type, comparing her to Penny Lane from Almost Famous. ‘She’s drawn to the entire rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle—the music, the chaos and the men who come with it,’ the source said.
Dakota Johnson has already been linked to a string of rock stars, and Machine Gun Kelly is the latest musician reportedly in her life. She was seen on September 13.
‘Dakota loves rock stars—she can’t help herself. She says she finds them sexy,’ a source told Our News Outlet.
Insiders say the attraction to Baker is straightforward. ‘She likes Colson because he’s independent and confident. He does his own thing and lets people follow rather than pandering to anyone,’ the first source said.
Another source described Baker as possessing a more traditional kind of sex appeal.
‘Some people meet MGK and come away thinking he’s an immature playboy, but one of his strengths is that he’s an exceptionally successful ladies’ man,’ the source said.
‘He has perfected the rock-star swagger and bad-boy image, and when it comes to women, he generally does very well for himself,’ the insider added.
Baker also has a history of dating actresses. His most recent high-profile relationship was with Jennifer’s Body star Megan Fox, with whom he shares a child.
Sources claim Johnson is also drawn to the fact that Baker is the first man she has dated who is closer to her age.
One source told Our News Outlet: ‘She likes that he’s in his 30s, just like she is. They’re both 36. Chris [Martin] was too old for her—he’s nearly 50—and that made it difficult for them to relate on certain things. Tucker [Role Model], meanwhile, was too young; he was in his twenties.’
Even so, sources speaking to Our News Outlet have expressed doubts that Johnson and Baker’s romance will continue into 2027.
‘I don’t think Colson is the ideal match for Dakota, although anything is possible. She recently said she wants to settle down and have children, but I don’t believe Colson will be the person she does that with,’ the source said.
Johnson recently told Vogue that she does, in fact, hope to become a mother.
‘I really do,’ she said. ‘I didn’t expect to be this age and at this point in my life, but for whatever reason, that’s the plan of the universe. So I would love that.’
A third source agreed that the duo may be more fun fling than altar bound.
‘The attraction is clear: ‘She loves Colson [MGK] because he is super independent and confident, he is not at all insecure.’ Seen in May
But sources have told the Mail that Johnson’s friends doubt if the singer really is ‘the one’
‘I heard that it’s casual, what’s going on between them. and they’re just having fun, hanging out and getting to know each other. They might just be a summer fling that turned romantic, but given Dakota’s relationship history, they might not last much longer,’ the insider said.
Those close to Johnson say she won’t get too hung up on a guy who doesn’t want to have kids with her.
‘Friends fear MGK might not be the one. She’s looking for something serious and she knows within a few weeks whether or not they are her future husband,’ they said. ‘She’s a hopeless romantic and really wants to settle down and get married, have kids. It’s been hard for her to find her soulmate ever since her engagement with Chris Martin ended.’
And according to one insider, MGK is not looking to put a ring on his finger anytime soon.
‘MGK isn’t looking for anything serious,’ said the source.
‘If he wanted to be a husband, he would’ve married Megan Fox awhile ago. He has kids and has been in serious relationships before, but he’s not set on married life. He enjoys being free spirited and is very dedicated to his music and career that it makes it difficult to have a serious commitment.’
But there is some hope, noted the second source.
‘Things with them are so far, so good. Nothing is super serious, and nobody is picking out china just yet, but they’re enjoying each other and seeing where this goes,’ said the source.
She used to be with Gwyneth Paltrow’s ex-husband Chris Martin, whom she seemed very serious about as they struck up a romance in 2017, but then split eight years later
Machine Gun Kelly also seems to have a thing for actresses: his last lady love was Jennifer 8 star Megan Fox, with whom he has a child. Seen in 2023
‘There’s even a sense that they might be able to tame each other a little bit – whether that actually happens or turns into something long-term is another story.
‘None of their friends are exactly holding their breath waiting for wedding invitations, and some of MGK’s friends have thought he could be using Dakota to make Megan Fox jealous.
‘But, at least so far, that doesn’t appear to be the case. Right now, it looks much more like two people who are attracted to each other, having fun and seeing what happens next.’
In fact, so far MGK is said to be entranced with Johnson’s upper crust world.
‘I think Colson is a little starstruck because her family is so famous – I mean, her mom is Melanie Griffith and her dad is Don Johnson, like Old School Hollywood, so that part is pretty cool. And she has A-list friends,’ shared the first source.
But another insider warned that, at the end of the day, MGK and Johnson may be too different to make a relationship work.
‘They are an unusual pairing since MGK is more eccentric and loud, while Dakota is more reserved and down to earth. They both also have different styles and hobbies…But you know what they say, opposites attract and this might be the case for them.’
Don’t look for the lovebirds to fly side by side anytime soon as she has some work to finish up. ‘Right now she is busy promoting her new film Verity,’ said the source. Seen in NYC on September 18
Johnson stars in Verity, which comes out October 2, with Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett
‘They’re obviously not hiding it and they have no reason to be,’ added the source.
‘Dakota is very public with her relationships because she truly wants to live a normal life outside of Hollywood. She’s not going to go out of her way to hide a relationship. She doesn’t care what people think as long as it directly doesn’t affect her acting career.’
Her new lover, however, would prefer to keep their romance private.
‘MGK is the opposite – he prefers keeps his relationships on the DL since he’s been through a rollercoaster with Megan Fox and stories tend to be more negative about him,’ said one source.
As for whether the pair can make it work, it may be up to whether their schedules mesh.
‘Right now she is busy promoting her new film Verity, and she will be on SNL soon, she has a packed schedule, but I think they will have some quiet time soon,’ said the first source. ‘The next few months will make or break it.’
