Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin's Love Story Is Refreshingly Low-Key

Three years after "consciously uncoupling" from Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin found love again with actress Dakota Johnson in 2017. But unlike his marriage to Paltrow, which was very much in the spotlight, Martin has managed to keep the details of his relationship with Johnson private. So much so, in fact, that the two have reportedly been engaged for years without the public finding out — at least, until recently.

Since December 2020, Johnson has been sporting a large emerald ring on her left hand, and it just so happened to be her engagement ring. While she and Martin declined to comment about the ring at the time, a source confirmed to People that they "got engaged years ago" but are in "no rush to get married." 

Here, take a look back at Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin's low-key love story, from their first sushi date to their super-secret engagement. 

October 2017: Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are spotted on a sushi date.

People was the first to report that Johnson and Martin were spotted at a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles, with a source saying that they looked "cozy, laughing, and affectionate" during their dinner date.

November 2017: Dakota Johnson attends a Coldplay concert.

A month after their sushi date, Johnson and Martin took their love international. The actress flew below the equator to watch Martin and his band perform at one of their Coldplay concerts in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she sat in a VIP box.

September 2018: Dakota Johnson subtly confirms she's dating Chris Martin.

Almost a year after they first sparked dating rumors, Johnson finally acknowledged that Martin was her boyfriend. When asked about their relationship during an interview with Tatler, she simply stated: "I'm not going to talk about it, but I am very happy."

November 2018: Dakota Johnson celebrates Thanksgiving with Chris Martin and his family.

Johnson seemingly spent her first holiday with the entire Martin-Paltrow clan (Martin's ex-wife, Paltrow, her new husband Brad Falchuk, and the former couple's two children, Apple and Moses) for Thanksgiving.

"Gwyneth thinks (Johnson) is lovely. She gets on very well with her and is happy for Chris," an insider told E! News. "They've spent a good amount of time together and have a very nice friendship."

September 2019: Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin quietly make their couple debut. 

Continuing to keep a low profile, Johnson and Martin made their first joint public appearance at Forest Whitaker's Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative gala in New York City. While they didn't walk the red carpet together, the couple did take a cute photo together with Johnson placing her hand on Martin's knee.

January 2020: Gwyneth Paltrow opens up about Chris Martin's relationship with Dakota Johnson.

Paltrow piled on the praise for her ex-husband's new girlfriend during an interview with Harper's Bazaar in January 2020.

"I love her," Paltrow said. "I can see how it would seem weird because it’s sort of unconventional. But I think, in this case, just having passed through it iteratively, I just adore her. I always start to think of the ampersand sign — what else can you bring in, instead of being resistant to or being made insecure by? There’s so much juice in leaning into something like that."

February 2020: Dakota Johnson makes her directorial debut for Coldplay's "Cry Cry Cry" music video.

Johnson made her directorial debut with Coldplay's "Cry Cry Cry" music video, where she directed her boyfriend and his bandmates.

However, Johnson made it clear that she didn't just get the job because she was dating Martin. "I wrote the story and pitched it to the band like every other director did, and they chose mine — not because they're partial to me at all," she told Marie Claire about the experience.

December 2020: Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin spark engagement rumors.

Fans first speculated that Johnson and Martin were engaged after the actress was spotted out and about wearing a giant emerald ring on her left ring finger. And it turns out they were right all along.

January 2021: Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin move in together.

Taking the next logical step in their relationship, Johnson and Martin move in together into the singer's $12.5 million mansion in Malibu.

A source told People that both Johnson and Martin are enjoying living outside the city. "They both love the outdoors and often take beach strolls. They also support local restaurants," the insider shared.

October 2021: Chris Martin dedicates a song to Dakota Johnson during a Coldplay concert.

Martin publicly declared his love for Johnson during a packed Coldplay concert in London. While playing Coldplay's then-new single "My Universe," the musician pointed to Johnson in the balcony and announced to the crowd: "This is about my universe, and she's here."

Martin continued to point in her direction as he sang, "You (you), you are (you are) my universe / And I (I) just want (just want) to put you first."

December 2021: Dakota Johnson gives rare insight into her relationship with Chris Martin.

During an interview with Elle, Johnson offered rare insight into her relationship with Martin and how they like to spend their time together.

"We've been together for quite a while, and we go out sometimes, but we both work so much that it's nice to be at home and be cozy and private," she shared, jokingly adding, "Most of the partying takes place inside my house."

January 2022: Chris Martin crashes Dakota Johnson's Zoom interview. 

Johnson participated in a Zoom Q&A for her new movie, Cha Cha Real Smooth, during Sundance's virtual film festival, and lucky for the internet, she ran into some technical difficulties that resulted in a cameo from Martin. Calling upon the Coldplay frontman for help, he made a brief appearance on camera before retreating out of the room once everything was up and running.

November 2022: Dakota Johnson dances at a Coldplay concert. 

Johnson attended another one of Martin's Coldplay concerts, where she let loose among the crowd and danced like no one was watching — when in reality, everyone actually was. And there's video evidence to prove it.

In a clip shared to a fan's Twitter account, Johnson was spotted jumping up and down, putting her hands in the air, and whipping her hair from side to side while the band's music played in the background.

November 2023: Dakota Johnson credits Chris Martin for pulling her out of her depression.

Johnson spoke at the 2023 Hope for Depression Research Foundation luncheon — where she received the 2023 Hope Award for Depression Advocacy — and revealed that Martin helps her when things get tough. "A few weeks ago, I was having a low day," she explained. "And my partner said to me, 'Are you really struggling?' and I said 'No?'"

She continued, "And he said, 'Baby, you are wearing a Cats T-shirt.' As in Cats the music. So, it turns out, I really was struggling. But that moment lifted me up and pulled me out of it." 

March 2024: Sources confirm Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are engaged.

In March 2024, it was reported that the two have been engaged since 2020 (when the rumors first began) and that Johnson's giant emerald ring is actually an engagement ring.

A source confirmed to People, "They got engaged years ago but were in no rush to get married."