Dakota Johnson, despite her Hollywood lineage, faced financial hardship early in her career. The actress revealed that her father, Don Johnson, stopped providing financial support when she chose not to attend college.
Johnson recounted how her aspirations to study at Juilliard were thwarted, leading to the removal of her financial safety net. "I didn't get in, and my dad cut me off because I didn't go to college," she stated.
Forced to navigate her own path, Dakota immersed herself in acting auditions. She secured minor roles, striving to remain financially stable. "There were a few years where money was really tight," Johnson confessed. "I'd go to the grocery store and not have enough in my account. I couldn't pay rent sometimes."
Despite her efforts to be independent, she occasionally sought assistance from her parents, Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. "I'm very thankful they were there to help me," she acknowledged. "But it wasn't easy and it wasn't fun."
Johnson elaborated on her father's ultimatum during a February 2024 appearance on Today. He offered her an allowance if she attended college, but financial independence if she pursued acting. "I chose to act and he told me, 'Alright, you're on your own.' I was cut off."
To manage her expenses, Dakota took on modeling jobs and relied on her mother for support during difficult periods. "She was the soft one," she said. "I had to ask her for help with groceries more than once."
While her family name provided some advantages, Dakota emphasized that she still had to work hard to establish herself in the industry. "Auditioning is brutal," she told Pedro Pascal. "It's the worst part of the job."
Despite the challenging start, Dakota's determination led to success. From a small role in Crazy in Alabama to her breakthrough in the Fifty Shades franchise, she built her career without a safety net.