Actress Dakota Johnson and musician Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) were recently photographed together in Los Angeles, intensifying ongoing speculation about their relationship. Their public appearance follows reports hinting at a budding romance, which allegedly sparked at a mutual friend's wedding and deepened after a rumored overnight stay at Taylor Swift's New York City apartment. This development unfolds as Johnson's inner circle has reportedly shared insights into her happiness, while MGK continues his co-parenting responsibilities with his former partner.
The 37-year-old actress and 36-year-old music artist were observed departing a studio, subsequently leaving in MGK's distinctive red Maserati. Johnson, known for her role in "Verity," was dressed in belted blue denim, black ballet flats, and a chic black leather trench coat, with a heather grey sweatshirt casually draped over her shoulders. Her signature long, dark hair with face-framing bangs cascaded freely, while her blue eyes were shielded by dark sunglasses. MGK, the "Lost Americana" musician, sported a matching indigo blue denim jacket and jeans, complemented by brown work boots and silver-toned accessories. His blonde hair was styled sleekly back.
Rumors of their courtship gained traction when both stars were reportedly seen at Taylor Swift's New York City apartment in September. Sources indicate that Johnson arrived alone, with MGK joining her approximately thirty minutes later. After spending several hours at Swift's residence, the pair reportedly moved to a nearby hotel for the night. TMZ later clarified that Swift was not present in New York at the time, suggesting the apartment was used by the couple in her absence. Their initial connection is believed to have occurred in July at Swift's wedding to Travis Kelce. Prior to this, Johnson had reportedly ended an eight-month relationship with another music artist. MGK shares a 19-month-old daughter, Saga, with his ex-girlfriend Megan Fox, and a 17-year-old daughter, Casie, with his former partner Emma Cannon.
In a September interview with Vogue, Johnson offered a playful take on her preference for musicians, stating, "They like me. I don't know what to say. And I like them." When prompted about any downsides, she humorously responded, "A lot! A lot. Tricky motherf***ers." The interview also touched upon Johnson's personal aspirations, as she expressed a strong desire for motherhood. She remarked, "I didn't expect to be this age and at this place in my life, but for whatever reason, that's the plan of the universe. So I would love that. I hope that that happens for me." She further articulated, "I've always felt, especially the last few years, that there is a soul that wants to come through. And I hope that I'm lucky enough to be able to do that."
MGK, whose birth name is Colson Baker, publicly celebrated his daughter Saga's first birthday on March 27, sharing a collection of photos with his 9.2 million Instagram followers. The simple caption, "1," accompanied by cupcake and burning heart emojis, marked the occasion. Both MGK and Megan Fox have maintained their daughter's privacy, opting not to reveal her face publicly. In August 2025, during an appearance on the Today show when Saga was four months old, MGK lauded Megan Fox for her dedicated care. He jokingly commented to host Jenna Bush Hager, "I want to detract all of the congrats to me and just move it to Megan because she really does all the work." He added, "I keep getting called 'the music teacher,'" and recounted an instance where someone praised his parenting simply for holding the baby, to which Megan's reaction was, "No, no, no, no." He concluded, "She's the one. I just play the guitar and pray that the baby is happy."
The recent sighting of Dakota Johnson and Machine Gun Kelly in Los Angeles further solidifies their rumored relationship. The couple's public appearance and Johnson's candid remarks about her personal life, alongside MGK's dedication to fatherhood, continue to draw public interest. Their journey together, originating from a shared social circle and evolving amidst their busy careers, remains a topic of considerable media attention.