Dakota Johnson Speaks Out Against 'Nepo Baby' Conversations
During a recent appearance on the Today show, actress Dakota Johnson expressed her frustration with the ongoing conversations surrounding celebrities who come from influential families within the entertainment industry. The 34-year-old actress, whose parents are actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, described these discussions as 'incredibly annoying and boring.'
Johnson made it clear that she would prefer journalists to focus on other topics, stating, 'Like, if you're a journalist, write about something else.' She emphasized her distaste for this kind of conversation while discussing her own celebrity status and the opportunity to poke fun at it.
The actress recently showcased her sense of humor regarding her famous lineage during her hosting stint on Saturday Night Live. In a skit with Please Don't Destroy, a comedy group affiliated with the show, Johnson and fellow comedians John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, who are also children of influential figures within SNL, playfully engaged in a 'nepo truce' while good-naturedly roasting each other.
In another interview, Johnson reflected on her relationship with her father, Don Johnson, and how he handled her decision to pursue acting over attending college. The actress shared that when she informed her father of her aspirations to become an actress instead of going to college, he made the decision to cut her off financially. Johnson recalled him saying, ''If you go to college, you'll still get an allowance.' And I was like, 'Well, I'm going to be an actress.' So he was like, 'Alright, well you're on your own.''
Despite being removed from 'the payroll,' as her father referred to it, Johnson managed to pave her own way in the industry. Her breakout role as an adult came in the 2010 film The Social Network. Since then, she has achieved significant success, particularly as the lead in the Fifty Shades of Grey film trilogy.
During her interview with Hoda Kotb, Johnson disclosed that she took on small modeling gigs to help cover her expenses while auditioning for acting roles. She also admitted that there were moments when she struggled to afford groceries and had to turn to her mother for assistance. Reflecting on these experiences, she stated, 'I definitely had moments where I couldn't afford groceries and had to ask my mom to help me. She was the nice one.'
The actress has previously shared that she understands her parents' concerns about her foregoing higher education for acting. Growing up on sets and being exposed to talented artists through her parents' work, Johnson developed a passion for acting at a young age. She explained, 'I couldn't wait because I grew up on set. My parents were always working with amazing artists, and I just loved it. I wanted to be a part of it so badly.'
As Johnson gears up for the release of her upcoming film Madame Web on February 14th, she continues to make her mark in the entertainment industry, proving her talent and dedication independent of her celebrity lineage.
