Dakota Johnson's Romance with Role Model Is Heating Up: Inside Their 'Easy' Relationship (Exclusive Source)
Dakota Johnson's Romance with Role Model Is Heating Up: Inside Their 'Easy' Relationship (Exclusive Source)
Jack SmartTue, April 7, 2026 at 4:43 PM UTC
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Dakota Johnson; Role Model/Tucker PillsburyCredit: Arnold Jerocki/Getty; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty -
Dakota Johnson “really does like” Role Model, a source tells PEOPLE
The Fifty Shades star and the singer-songwriter, first spotted spending time together last December, were seen sharing a kiss on April 3
“It's definitely more than a fling, or just a flirt,” says the insider
Sparks are flying between Dakota Johnson and Role Model.
“It's definitely more than a fling, or just a flirt,” a source tells PEOPLE of the lovebirds, who have been dating “since late last year.”
The new couple was most recently spotted smooching and holding hands in Los Angeles' Los Feliz neighborhood on Friday, April 3, and getting coffees on Sunday, April 5. DeuxMoi also posted a video showing Johnson's mother, Melanie Griffith, telling a photographer, "I think he's fabulous," when asked for her thoughts on the singer-songwriter.
Dakota Johnson and Role Model/Tucker Pillsbury on April 3Credit: Dsanchez/CPR / BACKGRID
Johnson, 36, “does really like” the musician (né Tucker Pillsbury), 28, the insider adds, “but is also taking things slow after her previous long-term relationship.” The Materialists star and Chris Martin, who were rumored to be engaged for “years,” had an on-and-off relationship from October 2017 until June 2025.
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She and Role Model, first seen spending time together in December and January, are “very much on the same page,” continues the source, “and it just feels easy. She thinks he's cute and he treats her incredibly well."
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Role Model/Tucker Pillsbury and Dakota Johnson on April 5Credit: TheImageDirect.com
In addition to spending quality time with the "Sally When the Wine Runs Out" singer, Johnson has “been having fun for the past few months. She's been in L.A. a lot and has a large group of friends.”
Role Model (PEOPLE magazine’s first-ever Sexiest Man Alive centerfold) was previously linked to YouTuber Emma Chamberlain from 2020 to 2023. Before Martin, 49, Johnson was previously involved with Noah Gersh, Jordan Masterson and Matthew Hitt.
A source close to Johnson told PEOPLE in March that she was not rushing into any new romantic relationships and she was "playing the field at the moment." Last June on The Today Show, she gave a candid response to a question about her dating non-negotiable: “Like, not an a--h---?”
Among Johnson’s upcoming projects is an adaptation of author Colleen Hoover's Verity (in theaters Oct. 2) costarring Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett. The actress is also making her feature film directorial debut, titled A Tree Is Blue, which will star Jessica Alba and Charli xcx.
Role Model is due to make his Hollywood debut in Lena Dunham's Netflix romcom Good Sex, starring Natalie Portman and Mark Ruffalo.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
