Taylor Swift Praises Dakota Johnson for Her Refreshingly Honest Nature
Trending on Billboard
On April 15, TIME unveiled its annual list of the “100 Most Influential People,” featuring actress Dakota Johnson, with a heartfelt tribute from her friend, Taylor Swift.
Describing Johnson’s career as “fascinatingly varied and eclectic,” Swift remarked, “everyone is still getting to know Dakota.”
Swift emphasized the allure of Johnson’s authenticity, stating, “In recent years, as she’s promoted her films, the name Dakota Johnson has become synonymous with refreshing honesty in a world of media-trained answers. Maybe it’s her sing-song vocal delivery, serenely answering questions with such frank candor it makes you feel like maybe this girl just… can’t lie?!”
As a friend, Swift vouched for Johnson’s genuine nature, adding, “She’s also one of the most empathetic people I’ve ever known. And maybe it’s true that she can’t lie. But I’ll tell you a few more things she can’t do. She can’t stop asking people questions about their lives, endlessly curious about everyone else’s human experience.”
Swift also praised Johnson for establishing her own production company, TeaTime Pictures, and for delving into complex relationship dynamics in films such as Splitsville and Materialists. “Captivating in front of the screen and inquisitive behind it, her unfailing truthfulness helps to shape her ever-evolving storytelling into art that feels as real and timeless as she is,” Swift remarked.
Johnson has been part of the Hollywood landscape since her young adult years, achieving breakout success as Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise. Notably, Swift collaborated with Zayn Malik on “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” a track for the franchise’s second installment, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The friendship between Swift and Johnson has flourished over the years. In May 2025, Johnson was spotted dining with Swift in New York City shortly after the pop superstar announced the acquisition of her master recordings.
Other notable artists featured on this year’s TIME100 list include JENNIE of BLACKPINK, Luke Combs, and Noah Kahan, with tributes written by Gracie Abrams, Ed Sheeran, and Marcus Mumford, respectively.
