Key Takeaways

  • Dakota Johnson is a talented actress known for her humor and down-to-earth personality, often surprising people who perceive her as overly serious.
  • Johnson’s upbringing in a family of actors has deeply influenced her career path, making her feel acting was an inevitable choice.
  • She finds immense joy and comfort in the creative environment of Saturday Night Live, describing it as her favorite place.
  • Johnson is open about her experiences with the film industry, including navigating challenging projects like ‘Madame Web’ and ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ with a sense of humor and resilience.
  • Her new film, ‘The Materialists,’ directed by Celine Song, explores themes of relationships, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness.

Segments

Growing Up in Hollywood and SNL Love (~00:10:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Johnson’s childhood on film sets fostered a deep love for the creative process, and Saturday Night Live remains her favorite place to work.
  • Summary: The conversation shifts to Johnson’s upbringing surrounded by acting, with her parents and grandparents being actors. She recalls loving the magical atmosphere of film sets as a child. Johnson expresses her profound admiration for Saturday Night Live, calling it her favorite place and a significant influence on her desire to work in comedy.
Navigating Hollywood: Razzies and Control (~00:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Johnson handles career setbacks, like winning a Razzie, with humor and resilience, viewing them as part of a long career.
  • Summary: Johnson discusses receiving a Razzie for ‘Madame Web’ and her humorous exchange with Sandra Bullock about it. She reflects on the lack of control actors have over how films turn out, using ‘Madame Web’ and ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ as examples of projects that evolved differently than initially planned, but expresses gratitude for the experiences.
The Materialists and Relationships (~00:45:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Johnson’s new film, ‘The Materialists,’ directed by Celine Song, explores the complexities of relationships and the balance between achieving life goals and being seen and loved.
  • Summary: The discussion turns to Johnson’s upcoming film, ‘The Materialists,’ directed by Celine Song. Johnson describes the film’s premise about a New York City matchmaker and its exploration of whether relationships are primarily for achieving life goals or for genuine connection and love. She praises Song’s directorial style, noting her background as a playwright and her clear vision.
On-Set Experiences and Body Positivity (~00:55:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Johnson’s mother instilled a strong sense of body pride, which has been crucial for her comfort and bravery in her acting career, especially in intimate scenes.
  • Summary: Johnson shares her experiences with sex scenes in films, discussing the role of intimacy coordinators and her comfort with her body, largely attributed to her mother’s positive influence. She also touches on her love for reading and her current viewing habits, including the reality show ‘Farmer Wants a Wife,’ which she finds both horrifying and compelling.