Latest news with #CrazyinAlabama
News18
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Dakota Johnson On Her Tough Start In Industry: ‘Had To Ask My Parents For Help'
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.
Pink Villa
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Dakota Johnson Opens Up About Financial Struggles During Early Acting Career
Dakota Johnson, often labeled a "nepo baby" thanks to her A-list parents Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, is setting the record straight on what her early years in Hollywood were really like. In a candid new interview with Elle, the actress admitted that despite her privileged background, making ends meet was a real struggle when she first began pursuing an acting career. Now 35, Johnson recalled how difficult it was to support herself financially in her early 20s. 'For a couple of years it was hard to make money,' she shared. 'I'd have to ask my parents for help.' At times, she didn't even have enough to cover rent or buy groceries. Though grateful for her parents' help, Dakota made it clear that her journey wasn't without hardship. 'The auditioning process, as you know, is the f–king worst,' she said bluntly. Her parents' support was not always guaranteed either. When she was rejected from Juilliard — the only college she applied to — her father cut her off financially. 'I didn't get in and my dad cut me off because I didn't go to college,' she revealed. That prompted her to dive headfirst into auditions. At 19, she landed a minor role in The Social Network, which led to other small parts in films like 21 Jump Street and the sitcom Ben and Kate. Johnson had her first on-screen role at just 10 years old in Crazy in Alabama, a film directed by her stepfather Antonio Banderas and starring her mother. But it wasn't until 2013, when she was cast as Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, that her career took off. The trilogy's massive success catapulted her into stardom — and financial independence. Now living comfortably in a serene Malibu mansion, Johnson reflects on her nomadic lifestyle and evolving sense of home. 'In my deepest truth, I feel I don't live anywhere. I nest kind of wherever I am,' she said. Despite the early challenges, Dakota Johnson's resilience — and a little help from her family — paved the way for her thriving Hollywood career.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Antonio Banderas wants to work with stepdaughter Dakota Johnson
Antonio Banderas wants to star in a film with stepdaughter Dakota Johnson. The 'Babygirl' actor is a big fan of the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' star – who is the daughter of his former wife Melanie Griffith and her ex-husband Don Johnson – and Antonio knew she was an 'awesome' actress from a very young age. Asked if they would ever share the screen together, Antonio told Britain's HELLO! magazine: 'I would love to. 'In fact, the first movie she did – 'Crazy in Alabama' – I directed her. I think she was around ten years old and she was awesome. 'She was following directions and doing everything right.' Antonio praised his stepdaughter for carving out her own career without relying on her family connections. He said: 'Dakota created her own world and that's a healthier way to do it than just to be 'Mami, Papi'. 'She needs to get out of the house, find her own way – and that's what she did, and we are very proud of her.' Despite his own years of experience, the 64-year-old star knows he can rely on Dakota to help him learn lines and offer tips on his performance. He said: 'I was preparing a character and I said, 'Dakota, can you just read this for me?' 'She said, 'OK Papi, but be careful of that – I think you're going a little too far.' ' Antonio was also full of praise for his and Melanie's 28-year-old daughter Stella, who is 'too shy to be in front of the camera' but is quickly making a name for herself as a producer. He said: 'Stella is not much of an actress. She wants to be behind the camera and she's driving herself into that. 'She has made some commercials. She's doing short movies and I suppose she is going to end up doing a feature film. 'Dakota is the opposite. Dakota just jumps in front of the camera.'
