Dakota Johnson, daughter of Hollywood icons Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, recently opened up about the financial hardships she faced during the early stages of her acting career. Despite her lineage, Johnson revealed that establishing herself in the industry was far from easy.
In a candid interview with Elle magazine, Johnson recounted the challenges she encountered after being rejected by The Juilliard School, her sole college application. Following this setback, her father withdrew financial support, prompting her to navigate the competitive world of acting independently. “I didn’t get in, and my dad cut me off because I didn’t go to college,” she shared.
During her early twenties, Johnson struggled to make ends meet, often relying on her parents for assistance with basic expenses like rent and groceries. “For a couple of years, it was hard to make money,” she admitted.
Despite these challenges, Johnson persevered, securing minor roles in films such as The Social Network (2010) and 21 Jump Street (2012), as well as a lead role in the sitcom Ben and Kate (2012–2013). Her breakthrough came with the lead role in the Fifty Shades of Grey series (2015–2018), which catapulted her to international fame.
Reflecting on her journey, Johnson emphasized the difficulties of the auditioning process, describing it as “the worst.” Nonetheless, her determination and resilience enabled her to overcome these obstacles and establish a successful career in the film industry.
Now 35, Johnson continues to build her career, with upcoming projects including the romantic drama Materialists, set to release on 13 June 2025.