Dakota Johnson may be closing out 2025 with a hint of romance in the air. The actress was recently spotted enjoying a cozy, candlelit dinner with singer Role Model, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, sparking fresh speculation about her love life.
According to photos obtained by TMZ, Johnson was “lying on him all cuddled up at the cozy dinner,” a source revealed, as the pair shared conversation and laughs with friends.
While the affectionate gestures have stirred dating rumors, it’s not clear whether the connection is anything beyond friendship. Both Johnson and Pillsbury are currently single.
Johnson, 36, ended her long-term relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin this past June, a split that reportedly stemmed from their 12-year age difference and differing views on children.
“They have gone out on a few dates in London,” a source told Us Weekly last month. “It is still very new, but they have a lot of chemistry, and there’s a definite spark between them.” Whether the connection develops into something more remains to be seen, but the paparazzi photos and TMZ sources are fueling speculation.
For Johnson, the past year has been one of personal reflection and quiet transition. In November, a source told People that the actress was slowly reopening herself to dating. “[She] has been slowly dating again, and she’s happy,” the insider said. “Her relationship with Chris was often hot and cold, and while she always hoped they’d work out, she seems lighter and more at peace now that it’s final.”
The actress has also shared her evolving perspective on relationships in interviews. Speaking with the Los Angeles Times earlier this year about her film 'Materialists,' Johnson reflected on society’s expectations around romance and commitment.
“For a long time we’ve all been so quick to judge relationships or how they should happen, how they should exist in the world,” she said. “When people should get married. Divorce is bad. All these things that actually, if you think about it, why is divorce bad? Why do people have to get married or at a certain age or only once? Why? It doesn’t matter.”
Johnson has also spoken candidly about her experiences with dating in other contexts. Back in May, she told ELLE UK that playing a matchmaker in 'Materialists' offered a fresh lens on romance. “I find the whole concept of the film so interesting, because it’s so foreign to me,” she said.
“I’ve never dated anybody. I’ve had boyfriends, but I have never been on a dating app. I just don’t know that world. So, it was so interesting and intriguing. It’s the most beautiful side of humanity, but it can also be the most ugly. Loving someone is the most scary and beautiful thing you can do," she said.
Role Model, 28, has also had his own headline-making past. The singer previously dated influencer Emma Chamberlain for three years, ending in 2023.
Reflecting on the relationship in 2024, Pillsbury told Nylon, “I have no regrets, and it’s a beautiful time in my life that I’m proud of. I honestly never thought I would be in a relationship for three and a half years, and the fact that I was and that it was beautiful pretty much the entire time— I'm just very thankful. At the end of the day, I think the best thing I took away from it is knowing that I can do that and knowing that I can do that again at some point when I want to or when I’m ready.”
For now, the dinner photos appear to mark a turning point in Johnson’s romantic life. Captured sipping a martini and leaning into intimate conversation, the actress and musician seemed at ease in each other’s company, whether friends or something more.
TMZ reports they were “engulfed in conversation with another dinner guest,” suggesting the evening was relaxed and full of connection. As for Chris Martin, he has moved forward as well, with rumors linking him to actress Sophie Turner.