Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson have been dating for six years.
But you’d be forgiven for not realising just how long the notoriously private pair have been together, with the duo often preferring to keep their romance out of the spotlight.
However, it seems that the pair are stronger than ever, after British singer Martin, 46, threw his girlfriend a star-studded 34th birthday party in Malibu earlier this month.
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The pair were first linked in 2017 – shortly after he divorced ex-wife and actress Gwyneth Paltrow, 51, in 2016. In March two years prior, the pair said they were splitting in a move called “conscious uncoupling”.
But it hasn’t been all rosy for the couple, with Johnson and Martin reportedly splitting in June 2019 after just over a year of dating due to conflicting views of starting a family together.
In a surprising move, it was reported in August that year that it was his ex-wife Paltrow encouraged them to get back together, with a source reportedly saying: “Gwyneth is the one who pushed them to do it.”
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These days however, father-of-two Martin seems more content than ever with Johnson, sweetly dedicating his song My Universe to her at a Coldplay show in London in 2021.
The pair even enjoy trips with Paltrow and her new husband Brad Falchuk – previously sharing a picture of her ex and her man saying they’re a ‘modern family’ – and the actress often gushes about her friendship with Johnson in various interviews.
From a reported brief split in mid-2019 to sparking engagement rumours, 9Honey Celebrity takes a look at Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson’s relationship timeline.
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October 2017: The couple spark dating rumours.
In October 2017, Johnson was linked to actor John Hamm and according to Page Six, were spotted enjoying a drink after he hosted the Brooklyn Black Tie Ball.
Months earlier, they were reportedly spotted at Elton John’s 70th birthday party.
However, shortly after, Johnson was spotted enjoying a sushi date with Martin in Los Angeles and dating rumours flew.
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US Weekly then reported in December that year that they were “definitely dating” and even enjoyed watching a Nick Cave concert in Israel in November.
“Dakota and Chris are definitely dating,” a source told the publication.
“They’ve gotten to know each other really well and are very comfortable from one another. Chris sends Dakota his music to get her opinion. It’s more than just a fling.”
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She recently told Vanity Fair the pair met through a mutual friend and “never really left each other”.
January 2018: The pair were going from strength to strength, being spotted enjoying a beach walk together in Malibu, according to People.
A source told the publication: “[They spent] most of the weekend together in Malibu.”
That same month, her actor father Don Johnson seemingly confirmed their relationship while talking to Digital Spy.
“Yeah, that’s… uh troubling, isn’t it? No, she’s a big girl, she can handle herself!” he joked at the time.
In May that year, her mother Melanie Griffith gave the rocker her tick of approval.
“I adore him!” she said at a foundation event, according to People. “But she is very private about her life and I respect that.”
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October 2018: Johnson appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and denies pregnancy rumours.
“The only thing I’m pregnant with is a lot of really good ideas, but not any babies,” she said.
Pink and blue balloons were previously seen at a party for the actress which led to pregnancy speculation.
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According to TMZ, the actress’ dad was the last to arrive at the party and once he did, only blue balloons were released into the sky, seemingly hinting that a baby boy was on the way for the couple.
But Johnson’s rep was quick to squash baby talk, insisting the actress wasn’t pregnant and that the party was in fact to celebrate her 29th birthday.
Johnson has previously expressed her desire to have children one day.
“The idea of being at home and picking up kids from school and cooking dinner and then the husband comes home – there’s something that seems really nice to me ’cause I never had that growing up,” the she told Marie Claire in 2016.
June 2019: The couple reportedly split after just over a year of dating due to conflicting views of starting a family together.
A source told The Sunday Express: “Chris made it clear he wants more kids as soon as possible, but Dakota’s career has really taken off and that’s the last thing she wanted to think about right away.”
“It got to the point last month where a light seemed to flick on in both their heads and they realised they were pulling in completely opposite directions, so they decided to call it a day.”
Martin shares Apple, 19, and Moses, 17, with ex Paltrow.
August 2019: Reconciliation rumours began to fly just months after their reported breakup.
A source told US Weekly the pair were definitely back on and he was spotted at a wrap party for her film Covers in July.
“Chris is very young at heart, so it makes sense for him to be with someone younger,” a source told US Weekly.
“That’s just one of the ways Dakota is very much his type.”
A source also told the outlet that his ex Paltrow encouraged them to get back together, saying: “Gwyneth is the one who pushed them to do it.”
That same month, TMZ papped Martin and Johnson enjoying a beach date with Paltrow and her husband Brad Falchuk.
October 2019: Goop founder Paltrow shared a birthday tribute to Johnson, writing: “Happy 30th birthday to this absolute gem 💙”
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December 2019: Page Six spots Martin and Johnson and Paltrow holidaying in Aspen together with their children. Paltrow confirmed on Instagram at the time that Falchuk was also there.
January 2020: Shallow Hal actress Paltrow spoke about her ex-husband’s partner and told Harper’s Bazaar: “I love her.”
“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. I always start to think of the ampersand sign – what else can you bring in, instead of being resistant to or being made insecure by? There’s so much juice in leaning in to something like that.”
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December 2020: Johnson and Martin spark engagement rumours.
In pictures obtained by People, the Fifty Shades star was spotted wearing an emerald green ring on her wedding finger.
January 2021: The smitten couple reportedly move in together in a mansion in Malibu, worth a cool $19 million.
October 2021: Martin dedicates a song to Johnson while performing on stage in London.
In footage captured by a fan ahead of performing Coldplay’s My Universe, Martin told the crowd: “This is about my universe, and she’s here.”
November 2021: Dakota’s father Don Johnson, 73, says he wants his daughter ”to be happy” and sweetly said he hopes she’ll give him grandchildren in future.
“But listen, if she’s happy, I will be happy, and he’s a lovely guy,” he said while appearing on Good Day New York.
He added: ”And if she decides to get married, I would imagine that there would be grandchildren not too far out for that. I’d be pretty excited about that part.”
January 2022: Johnson makes a rare comment about her relationship and told Elle that they like to spend time together at home.
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“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 cozy and private,” she said.
“Most of the partying takes place inside my house.”
That same month, the pair inadvertently gave fans a glimpse into their relationship when Martin hilariously made an awkward cameo in the background of a virtual interview with Johnson, seemingly helping his girlfriend navigate the Zoom app.
The interview, hosted by Sundance Film Festival, introduced Johnson who took several seconds to appear on the screen.
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When the actress finally joined the Zoom, Martin could be seen next to her at the computer.
Johnson sheepishly laughed as the joined the Zoom meeting while Martin quickly got up and left the room.
The Yellow singer flashed the peace sign as he rushed to get out of the picture, leaving his girlfriend to laugh awkwardly again in his absence.
March 2023: Martin explains how Johnson helped Coldplay improve their concerts for the hearing impaired.
He said on the Conan O’Brian Needs a Friend podcast that the actress introduced him to SubPacs which help the hearing impaired feel vibrations at concerts.
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“It’s kind of like body armor that you put on. It connects to the bass,” he said.
“Dakota, my partner, gave me one as a gift because she saw someone online experiencing whatever they are experiencing with this.”
June 2023: In footage obtained by The Daily Mail, Johnson is seen blowing Martin a kiss as he performs on stage with Coldplay in Naples.
October 2023: Paltrow revealed in an Instagram Story Q&A that she and Johnson are “very good friends”.
“What is your relationship like with Dakota Johnson?” a fan asked.
“We’re actually very good friends. I love her so much,” she said.
The star added: “She’s an adorable, wonderful person.”
