Dakota Johnson Reflects on Her Father’s Financial Cutoff

Dakota Johnson shared an insightful story about her father, Don Johnson, cutting her off financially after she opted not to attend college. During a chat with her co-star Pedro Pascal, she explained her experience with education and how it shaped her early career.

At 35 years old, Johnson disclosed that she applied exclusively to the Juilliard School but was ultimately turned down. After that, she didn’t pursue applications to other universities. She wasn’t in a position to support herself through acting either. “I wasn’t accepted, and my dad cut me off because he didn’t go to college,” she recalled. “I began auditioning at 19, starting with ‘The Social Network,’ but it was mostly small parts after that.”

Johnson recalled the struggle of making ends meet. “It was challenging to earn money for years. There were times I’d go grocery shopping not knowing if my bank account had any funds, or I had to ask my parents for financial help,” she admitted.

She emphasized how competitive the audition process for Juilliard was, pointing out that the school has an acceptance rate of about 10%. “When you get called to audition, it often involves a lengthy selection process. They really narrow it down,” she noted. “But honestly, I didn’t mind missing out. College felt too constricting for me. I was more interested in traveling, exploring cultures, and meeting various people.”

The actress described her unconventional upbringing, as she spent significant time traveling with her parents while they worked on various projects. “Until I turned ten, I traveled with my family and my tutor. I attended numerous schools, including a stint in Spain and even an all-girls Catholic boarding school,” she said, reflecting on those experiences as both unique and formative.

Upon returning to Los Angeles, she finished high school at New Road School, although she candidly admitted, “I wasn’t the best student. Time management wasn’t a strong suit for me, and I often neglected my homework. I did enjoy English and was decent at Spanish, but math? Not so much.”

Johnson’s initial roles included a small part in “The Social Network.” However, her career took off when she starred as Anastasia Steele in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy.

In a broader discussion about family, Don Johnson expressed concerns about his children’s choices in pursuing acting, stating, “I always advised them against it. I warned them, saying, ‘This isn’t the path for you.’” He explained that when Dakota graduated high school, he set a family rule: if one didn’t attend college and find a job, they would lose financial support from the family.

“After she graduated, I asked if she wanted to check out colleges. She was very clear, saying she had no interest,” he laughed, recalling how, just months later, she landed her role in “The Social Network” and never looked back.