Dakota Johnson, star of The Materialists, recently exposed a surprising dating red flag that centers around a very specific type of footwear. Speaking to Vogue during the October 21 “Questions from Everywhere” digital series, she made it clear that men wearing flip flops are a quick deal-breaker for her, emphasizing her dislike for this casual shoe choice. Alongside this, Johnson expressed her aversion to cologne or any scents on potential partners.
The actress, recognized for her candidness about relationships, explained her unique perspective on fragrances, admitting,
“I have a really specific olfactory situation happening for me with men and women and everyone.”
Dakota Johnson has never hidden her straightforward approach to dating, previously outlining what she refuses to tolerate in a partner. In a July 9 interview on Today, alongside her The Materialists co-star Chris Evans, she summed it up bluntly: “Just like, not an a–hole.” Evans quickly supported the statement, saying,
“That’s concise. There it is. Nail on the head.”
This declaration followed news of her breakup with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, her partner since 2017, which was announced in July 2024. Despite months of breakup rumors throughout the year, the couple’s representatives dismissed them back in August, assuring that the two were “happily together.” Martin shares two children—Apple Martin, 21, and Moses Martin, 19—with ex Gwyneth Paltrow.
Before the split, Dakota provided rare insights into her personal love life. She revealed to Elle magazine in May that although she had boyfriends, she had never used dating apps, stating,
“I’ve never dated anybody. I’ve had boyfriends, but I have never been on a dating app. I just don’t know that world. So, it was so interesting and intriguing. It’s the most beautiful side of humanity, but it can also be the most ugly. Loving someone is the most scary and beautiful thing you can do.”
Dakota’s Honesty in Public Moments
Dakota Johnson’s reputation for blunt honesty extends beyond her romantic life. One memorable instance came during a 2019 episode of Ellen DeGeneres’s talk show, when Ellen humorously claimed she wasn’t invited to Dakota’s 30th birthday. Dakota quickly corrected her, insisting,
“Actually, no—that’s not the truth, Ellen.”
The actress added that Ellen had criticized her on a previous appearance for supposedly not being invited. Dakota then reaffirmed,
“I did invite you, but you didn’t come,”
also remarking,
“I didn’t even know you liked me,”
which revealed her sharp wit and refusal to shy away from confrontation.
Years later, when asked about this viral interview, Dakota told L’Officiel, “It will haunt me,” acknowledging the lasting impression this moment left on her public image.
Behind the Scenes of Fifty Shades of Grey
Reflecting on her role in the Fifty Shades of Grey film series, Dakota Johnson shared that author E.L. James held considerable influence over the creative direction. She reported that James
“had a lot of creative control”
and often insisted that certain scenes or plot elements be included. Johnson also commented on the difficulties in adapting the novel’s inner monologues, calling them “incredibly cheesy” and explaining that they created frequent clashes with the film’s director and studio, describing the environment as “mayhem all the time.”
She admitted that had the cast and crew been fully aware of the challenges,
“It would’ve been like, ‘Oh, this is psychotic.’”
E.L. James has yet to respond publicly to Dakota’s remarks.
The Unexpected Lime Incident
A seemingly trivial comment about limes unexpectedly went viral following Dakota Johnson’s 2020 Architectural Digest house tour, where she enthusiastically described a bowl of limes in her kitchen:
“I love limes. I love them so much. They’re great, and I like to present them like this in my house.”
Despite this enthusiastic display, Dakota confessed the truth on The Tonight Show in 2021:
“I’m actually allergic to limes. So, I lied.”
This revelation surprised fans who had embraced her lime enthusiasm as genuine.
Unexpected Internet Fame from Madame Web
The release of the first trailer for Madame Web in November 2023 sparked a widespread internet meme, centered on Dakota’s rather monotone delivery of the line:
“He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders right before she died.”
Despite the viral sensation, Dakota appeared bemused by the attention, telling an interviewer,
“I have no idea what that’s about,”
and noting,
“That seems like a basic storyline to me.”
Views on Hollywood’s Nepotism Debate
Dakota Johnson, daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, weighed in on the ongoing debate over nepotism in Hollywood during a February 2024 interview with Today. She called the initial discussion “incredibly annoying and boring,” suggesting a dismissive stance on the topic despite her own star-studded lineage.
Confessions and Quirks at Celebrity Events
In a candid Vanity Fair conversation, Dakota revealed a hilarious habit related to her hair extensions when attending parties, often alongside actor Andrew Garfield. She admitted,
“At those parties, I’d probably get a little drunk and then just take them out, and put them in men’s jacket pockets because they’re so annoying and I’d just find a place to put them.”
This glimpse behind the scenes highlighted her down-to-earth personality amid Hollywood’s glamour.
Prioritizing Rest Above All
Among her lifestyle priorities, Dakota emphasized sleep as paramount. Speaking to WSJ. Magazine in December 2023, she described it as
“my number one priority in life,”
stating,
“I’m not functional if I get less than 10 [hours]. I can easily go 14 hours.”
This sharp focus on rest underscores how seriously she takes her health and well-being amid her demanding career.
Showcasing a Unique Talent: The Gap Trick
In a playful 2017 video titled “Mind the Gap,” Dakota demonstrated how much she could fit into her noticeable gap-toothed smile, arranging objects such as a toothpick, a credit card, and even $1,100 in cash. Humorously, she quipped, “That’s my only skill,” and playfully addressed her father, Don Johnson, asking, “Dad, are you watching this?”
Dakota Johnson’s candidness on matters ranging from dating preferences to personal quirks reveals a multi-dimensional personality, unafraid to expose vulnerabilities and humor alike. Her explicit “Dakota Johnson dating red flag” involving flip flops highlights her unusual yet firm standards for potential partners, providing a rare look into what truly satisfies her relationship criteria.
As her career continues to evolve with projects like Madame Web and The Materialists, audiences can expect Dakota’s honesty and straightforwardness to remain a defining trait, further shaping public perceptions and dialogues about dating, fame, and creativity.
