Dakota Johnson and MGK are reportedly keeping their new romance casual for now

Dakota Johnson definitely has a taste – and it’s singers. After ending her long-term relationship with Chris Martin, the actress found a brief romance with Role Model, and has now found a new person to spend time with – Machine Gun Kelly.

Dakota was seen arriving at Taylor Swift’s Tribeca apartment in a black SUV, where a member of Swift’s team was on hand to make sure they entered properly

The Madame Web star and MGK, whose real name is Colson Baker, 36, have been quietly spending time together, according to PEOPLE, with their connection apparently getting closer after they both attended Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding in New York this summer.

The two weren’t exactly strangers before that. They had crossed paths in the same celebrity circles, but a source close to MGK tells PEOPLE that they “hit it off” at Swift and Kelce’s July wedding.

They tried to keep a low profile

What started as friendship and frequent texting has reportedly turned into something more, but they still aren’t official. “They haven’t put a label on their relationship yet; they are just seeing where spending time together will take them,” the source told PEOPLE, adding that it is “a very new start” and that the pair are “smitten with each other right now.”

A second source described things as “super casual,” while the PEOPLE insider said MGK is already “very into” Johnson and has been telling friends that she is “amazing.”

Taylor Swift’s apartment played a role

MGK was escorted inside by Dakota's security guard, wearing his outfit from the US Open — MGK was escorted inside by Dakota’s security guard, wearing his outfit from the US Open

Things hit the fan on social media this weekend when Johnson and MGK were spotted together in New York on Sept. 12. They were photographed arriving at Swift’s Tribeca apartment before heading out for dinner at Estela.

Swift wasn’t there. According to Page Six, the pair used the apartment because they wanted some privacy, with the pop star having previously allowed friends to use her New York properties.

A Page Six source said the two were simply spending time together, talking and getting to know each other, while noting that there was obvious chemistry between them. According to the insider, the “Bloody Valentine” singer ” thinks she’s really cool and obviously he’s attracted to her.”

The insider also said MGK likes that Johnson is funny and “doesn’t take herself too seriously,” adding that the night wasn’t awkward or forced and he had a really nice time. “They were vibing and had fun,” the source said. The images of them went viral online with fans both amused and confused.

The timing

Dakota Johnson and Role Model during a night out in Los Angeles in April

The new connection comes after the 36-year-old’s recent split from Role Model, the singer whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury.

PEOPLE reported in August that the two had ended their relationship “a while ago.” Johnson and Pillsbury were first linked in December 2025, and by April, a source described their relationship as “definitely more than a fling, or just a flirt,” saying they had been seeing each other since late 2025.

The pair kept much of the relationship private, but they were spotted together on several occasions and even worked together musically. Johnson contributed a spoken-word part to Pillsbury’s song “Love I You.”

Interestingly, the breakup timeline remains somewhat vague. PEOPLE reported that they split “a while ago,” but there is no confirmed public date for the end of their relationship. That makes it impossible to say exactly how much time passed between the breakup and Johnson’s connection with MGK.

So while the timing has people talking, there is no reporting establishing that the two became romantic before Johnson’s relationship with Pillsbury ended.

Chris Martina and Dakota Johnson had an on and off relationship for years

Before Pillsbury, Johnson’s best-known relationship was with Martin. The Fifty Shades of Grey star and Coldplay frontman were together on and off beginning in 2017, with their relationship ending in 2025 after years of engagement rumors.

MGK’s past

Machine Gun Kelly explains the meaning behind his and Megan Fox's baby name — MGK and Megan Fox’s relationship will go down in pop culture history

MGK has a glittery and bloody relationship history of his own. The musician’s most recent high-profile romance was with Megan Fox. The pair had an on-again, off-again relationship that included blood oaths and steamy red carpet photo opps.

They welcomed their daughter, Saga Blade, in March 2025. MGK is also dad to daughter Casie, whom he shares with former partner Emma Cannon.

His relationship with Fox played out very publicly, making the low-key nature of his connection with Johnson stand out.

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