Dakota Johnson On Her Tough Start In Industry: ‘Had To Ask My Parents For Help'

News18

17-05-2025

Last Updated:
The actress shared that she faced financial uncertainty and professional rejections just like anyone trying to make it big in showbiz.
Actress Dakota Johnson has grown up under the spotlight. Often called a nepo baby, she is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith and stepdaughter of actor Antonio Banderas. Despite belonging to a family who already had a strong foothold in the industry, Dakota recently revealed that her journey into the field was anything but smooth. She talked about her early struggles, including financial constraints.
In an interview with Elle, the 35-year-old actress shared that although she came from a privileged background, she faced financial uncertainty and professional rejections just like anyone trying to make it big in showbiz. 'For a couple of years, it was hard to make money," she said. Recalling times when she did not have enough money in her account to afford rent or buy groceries, Dakota added, 'I'd have to ask my parents for help. I'm very grateful that I had parents that could help me and did help me."
While the actress shared that she was extremely lucky to have parents who supported her, Dakota told the media outlet that the time she was struggling 'certainly was not fun." She bluntly noted, 'The auditioning process, as you know, is the f–king worst."
However, things took a turn for her when she could not get into Juilliard, the only college she had applied to after passing out of high school. Her father promptly cut her off financially. 'I didn't get in, and my dad cut me off because I didn't go to college," she mentioned.
Eventually, that became a push for her, and she bagged a minor role in the 2010 biographical drama The Social Network. Dakota added, 'I started auditioning. I think I was 19 when I did 'The Social Network,' and then little jobs and stuff after that."
Dakota was first seen on-screen at the age of 10 in her mother's movie, Crazy in Alabama. For years after her debut as an actor, she featured in films and shows such as 21 Jump Street, The Five-Year Engagement, Ben and Kate and The Office before getting her big break as the lead character, Anastasia Steele, in Fifty Shades of Grey in 2013. She reprised her role in the two subsequent films.
Dakota is all set for her project, The Materialists, featuring Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. The romantic comedy is releasing on June 13.