If you feel like you've been living under a rock because you didn't know the extent of Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson's relationship, it's OK. The Coldplay frontman and the actor, known for her roles in "The Lost Daughter" and the "Fifty Shades" film franchise, sparked dating rumours back in 2017 after being spotted at a sushi restaurant together. Before becoming an item, Martin was married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow from 2003 until their separation in 2014, while Johnson was linked to musician Matthew Hitt, among others.
Since that first outing, the couple has predominantly kept their relationship off the radar, but they've still had their fair share of sweet moments over the years. From celebrity sightings to occasional insights in interviews, the pair have let slip the little things over the last 6 years. Plus, their relationship with Paltrow and her husband Brad Falchuk proves the power of blended families. Paltrow and Martin share two kids together, called Apple and Moses, and their amicable split has meant they have spent many occasions together wit their new partners.
From song dedications to their Malibu home, here's a complete timeline of the couple's relationship.
November 2023: Dakota Johnson Gives Insight Into How Chris Martin Helps Her on "Low Days"
Johnson has long been an advocate for mental health awareness and was honoured at the 2023 Hope for Depression Research Foundation annual luncheon on 14 Nov. During a speech, she gave a rare insight into how Martin helps her during difficult days, with humour and consideration. "A few weeks ago, I was having a low day and my partner said to me, 'Are you really struggling?' and I said 'No?'," she told the guests. "And he said, 'Baby, you are wearing a Cats T-shirt.' As in Cats the music. So it turns out, I really was struggling. But that moment lifted me up and pulled me out of it."
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June 2022: Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson Make a Rare Public Appearance
In June 2022, the pair were spotted walking in New York City together, as reported by ET. The outing is one of the few occasions the couple were seen out in public together, and honestly, they couldn't look cuter.
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March 2022: Chris Martin Shares how Dakota Johnson has Helped Improve Coldplay Concerts
It's not often we get insights into Martin and Johnson's relationship, but on a 19 March episode of the "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend" podcast, Martin shared how his girlfriend has helped improve Coldplay's shows. Speaking of new technology for the hearing impaired, he said: ""They are called SubPacs. Dakota, my partner, gave me one as a gift because she saw someone online experiencing whatever they are experiencing with this, it's kind of like body armour, you put it on and plug it in and it connects to the base." He added that Johnson had seem them online and urged him to give them a go. "So, we started using it and it's been so amazing and it should get better and better. We have ten or twenty now, every night, of those packs and so if you're hearing impaired we have an area where you sign up and you put on the pack and you can feel the show."
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April 2022: Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin Attend Barbara Streisand's Tea Party
The couple helped the legend that is Barbara Streisand celebrate her 80th birthday in April 2022. The actor posted a photo of her with Johnson and Martin, alongside the caption "With friends at my recent tea party."
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December 2021: Dakota Johnson Reveals Details of Her Relationship with Chris Martin
After nearly four years of dating, Johnson finally opened up about her relationship with Martin in an interview with Elle UK in December 2021. Briefly touching on their dynamic, the actress said, "We've been together for quite a while, and we go out sometimes, but we both work so much that it's nice to be at home and be cosy and private. Most of the partying takes place inside my house."
The same month, engagement rumours swirled as People published pictures of Johnson wearing a stunning Emerald gem on her ring finger, though the speculation was never confirmed.
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October 2021: Chris Martin Dedicates "My Universe" to Dakota Johnson
There is nothing more romantic than writing or dedicating a song to a romantic partner. In October 2021, Martin dedicated his song, "My Universe," to Johnson during a Coldplay concert in London. Leading up to the song, the singer told the audience, "This is about my universe, and she's here."
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February 2021: Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson Move In Together
Martin and Johnson's relationship has been filled with many significant milestones and, in February 2021, People reported that the couple was living together in Martin's £10 million home in Malibu. The beachside mansion perfectly suits the couple who, according to the outlet, love connecting to nature. "They both love the outdoors and often take beach strolls. They also support local restaurants," a source explained.
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February 2020: Dakota Johnson Directs Coldplay's "Cry Cry Cry" Music Video
Johnson may be known for her extensive acting work, but she explored a new creative outlet in February 2020 when she directed a music video for Martin's band, Coldplay. The actress made her directorial debut for the music video "Cry Cry Cry," a song off of the band's 2019 album, "Everyday Life."
Johnson opened up to Extra in May 2020 about her experience, telling the outlet, "That experience was just pretty dreamy. I am so grateful I was given the opportunity… I was working with such incredible artists in every department… I felt extremely privileged to make that video."
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January 2020: Gwyneth Paltrow Lovingly Talks About Dakota Johnson
There are very few relationships that end on as amicable a note as Martin and Paltrow's. Their friendship is so good, in fact, that Paltrow herself revealed to Harper's Bazaar her positive feelings toward her ex-husband's new GF. "I love her," the actress told the magazine. "I can see how it would seem weird because it's sort of unconventional. But I think, in this case, just having passed through it iteratively, I just adore her."
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August 2019: Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson Rekindle Their Relationship
Image Source: Getty / Brian Stukes
Not long after The Sun's story broke, Martin and Johnson appeared to be back together. The two were seen at a wrap party for Johnson's film "Covers" in July 2019, which kicked off speculation they rekindled their romance. Us Weekly confirmed the pair were dating again just days later.
This same month, photographs surfaced of Martin and Johnson enjoying a beach day in the Hamptons. According People, they were later joined by Martin's ex-wife, Paltrow, and, her now husband, Falchuk, for a blended family summer day.
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June 2019: Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson Break Up
Sometimes, good things come to an end . . . at least temporarily. In June 2019, The Sun reported the couple had split after being together for 18 months. The outlet alleged that Martin told his friends he was single at the time, which came as a shock because they appeared to be on great terms. "There was talk of engagement but now he says they have gone their separate ways, which has come as a real surprise to everyone," one source revealed.
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October 2018: Dakota Johnson Addresses Pregnancy Rumours
Martin and Johnson managed to get through most of the first year of their relationship without any ridiculous speculation or outlandish rumours. In October 2018, however, TMZ reported that the couple hosted a gender reveal party and that they were expecting their first child together. The only issue? It wasn't true.
Johnson addressed the rumours that same month in an interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," telling DeGeneres, "The only thing I'm pregnant with is a lot of really good ideas. But not a baby."
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September 2018: Dakota Johnson Keeps Coy About Her Relationship with Chris Martin
Both Martin and Johnson are notoriously private about their personal lives. Since first being linked in 2017, neither person had confirmed or denied their relationship, but Johnson did vaguely, slightly, sort-of mention their relationship in an interview with Tatler in September 2018. When asked about the status of her love life, she told the magazine (via Marie Claire), "I'm not going to talk about it, but I am very happy."
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February 2018: Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson Attend Ellen DeGeneres’s 60th Birthday Party
Fast forward to February 2018, Martin and Johnson were spotted together at Ellen DeGeneres's birthday celebration. Outside of the venue, Martin and Johnson were photographed talking with Drew Barrymore. They attended the gathering with the Coldplay singer's ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow and her then-fianc Brad Falchuck, according to People.
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December 2017: Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson Officially Begin Dating
A few short months after Martin and Johnson were seen grabbing a quick bite to eat, Us Weekly broke the news that they were indeed dating in December 2017. A source with knowledge of their relationship told the outlet they were seriously dating. "They've gotten to know each other really well and are very comfortable from one another," the source claimed. One month prior, the pair went to Israel together and were seen at Yam Sheva restaurant in Herzliya.
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October 2017: Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson Get Sushi Together
In October 2017, People reported Martin and Johnson were spotted having dinner together at an LA sushi restaurant. According to the outlet, the two were "cosy, laughing, and affectionate" and appeared to be enjoying each other's company. This is the first time they were seen in public alone together.
