Dakota Johnson isn’t mincing words when it comes to the “nepo baby” conversation, labeling it as “lame.” The 34-year-old actress shared her disdain for the topic during an appearance on the Today Show with Hoda Kotb on Wednesday, February 7, where she expressed her annoyance at the constant focus on celebrities with famous parents.
In her candid remarks, Johnson emphasized her belief that the conversation surrounding celebrity lineage is both “incredibly annoying and boring.” She further urged, “Like, if you’re a journalist, write about something else.” Johnson, the daughter of actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, also recalled her recent efforts to humorously address her celebrity status, particularly during her hosting stint on Saturday Night Live.
“That’s just like, lame. So the opportunity to make fun of it, I jumped at,” she said referring to a skit from her SNL appearance where she, alongside comedians John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, who also hail from influential showbiz families. The stars jokingly declared a “nepo truce” while engaging in playful banter.
Dakota Johnson speaks to @hodakotb about ‘Madame Web,’ how she feels about the trajectory of her career, how her dad Don Johnson cut her off financially, her thoughts on the ‘nepo baby’ label and more.
And you’re always invited to join us all day, Dakota! pic.twitter.com/yd5grJOdDS
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 7, 2024
Dakota Johnson’s father cut her off financially
Johnson and her father, Don, 74, have been candid about the financial decision he made when she opted to pursue acting instead of attending college after high school graduation. “He said, ‘If you go to college, you’ll still get an allowance,'” she recounted on the Today show Wednesday. “And I was like, ‘Well, I’m going to be an actress.’ So he was like, ‘Alright, well you’re on your own.’ ”
Transitioning into the world of acting, Johnson initially relied on small modeling gigs to cover her expenses after being taken off “the payroll,” as she humorously referred to her family’s financial support. Reflecting on those early days, she admitted facing challenges. “I definitely had moments where I couldn’t afford groceries and had to ask my mom to help me. She was the nice one,” she recalled.
‘I wanted to be part of it so badly’
Johnson landed her breakthrough role in 2010’s The Social Network. She then starred in a lead role in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, giving a notable performance.
She has previously expressed her understanding of her parents’ concerns about prioritizing education over acting. “I couldn’t wait because I grew up on set. My parents were always working with amazing artists, and I just loved it,” she shared with W Magazine in 2022. “I wanted to be a part of it so badly.”