Don Johnson's Daughter Dakota Shares How She Had To Work For Her Money After College Standoff

Most people probably think growing up with famous parents means life is easy. You might imagine a silver spoon, a guaranteed path to success, and certainly no money worries. But Dakota Johnson, daughter of Hollywood icon Don Johnson, recently shared a story that proves it was not always that way. She opened up about a surprising period in her early career when she had to truly hustle, all because her dad had a rule about college.

In a candid chat with her Materialists co-star Pedro Pascal, Dakota revealed that she only applied to one college: the prestigious Juilliard School. It is one of the most elite performing arts schools in the world. Juilliard only accepts about 10% of its applicants. The auditioning process alone sounds like a nightmare. Dakota described it as "awful and terrifying" and a two-day long "chorus-line thing." She did not get a callback for a second audition.

After that rejection, Dakota chose not to apply to any other colleges. This decision, she explained, was because she "really didn’t want to go to college" anyway. The idea of being in a classroom with the same group of people and learning how to be a human in that setting felt wrong. She had grown up traveling the world surrounded by many different kinds of people and cultures. Locking herself in one place just did not feel right for her. This choice to skip college had immediate consequences for her finances.

Don Johnson's Strict Family Rule Meant Dakota Had To Find Her Own Way

The Actor Imposed A Financial Cutoff For His Children Who Chose Not To Pursue Higher Education

Dakota was 19 years old when this happened. Her dad, Don Johnson, had a clear family rule: if you did not go to college, you were off the family payroll. And he stuck to it. "I didn’t get in and my dad cut me off because I didn’t go to college," Dakota told Pascal. So, with no college plans and no more money from her dad, she had to start auditioning for acting jobs. This sudden change meant a couple of years were really tough for her to make ends meet.

She admitted that there were times she would go to the market and her bank account would be empty. Or she could not pay her rent. She had to ask her parents for help. Dakota is very grateful that her parents could help her and did help her when she truly needed it. But she also made it clear that the experience was "certainly not fun." She also pointed out that the auditioning process itself is just plain awful, something any actor can probably agree with.

Don Johnson, who is 75 now, has talked openly about this rule. He shares Dakota with his ex-wife Melanie Griffith. They had a unique history, marrying in 1976 for six months, then again in 1989. Dakota was born that year before they split again in 1996. Don has other children too: sons Jesse, Jasper, and Deacon, and daughter Grace. He even warned them all against getting into acting. He told them, "This is not for you." He said that his family rule was simple: "if you don't go on to college and get a job, you're off the family payroll."

Dakota Johnson's Early Career Hustle And Her Unique Childhood Experiences

From Traveling With Famous Parents To Landing A Key Role In "The Social Network"

Just three months after that talk with her dad, Dakota landed a part in The Social Network. That movie was a hit in 2010. She said that from that point on, she "hasn't looked back." This early role was a big stepping stone, leading to smaller jobs before her big breakthrough in 2015. That was when she starred as Anastasia Steele in 50 Shades of Grey and its sequels. So, her dad’s tough love approach seemed to work out in the end, pushing her to make her own way.

Dakota’s schooling experience was far from typical. She spent most of her childhood traveling with Don and Melanie while they were filming. She had tutors and attended different schools all over the world. She even lived in Spain for a while when her mom was married to Antonio Banderas. At one point, she went to an all-girls Catholic boarding school. She called that an "interesting experience." This nomadic upbringing meant she was exposed to many different cultures and people. It also meant she did not learn typical school skills like time management or doing homework.

When she moved back to Los Angeles for high school, she attended New Roads School for her last three years. She admits she was not the best student. She was bad at basic school stuff because she never learned how to manage her time or do her homework. She did enjoy English and was good at Spanish, but math was not her strong suit. She also took visual arts classes. At one point, she joined a pseudo-theater program but got kicked out because she ignored her schoolwork and started failing classes. This shows a long history of her following her own path, even if it meant some difficulties.

More Recent Times: From Awkward TV Moments To Her Latest Projects

A Look At How Dakota Handles The Spotlight And What Her Future Holds

Dakota Johnson continues to be a public figure, and sometimes that means awkward moments catch attention. Recently, she had a bit of a wardrobe issue on The Tonight Show while promoting her new movie, The Materialists. She wore a black mini skirt and jacket with a very deep neckline. As soon as she sat down, she joked, "This is the wrong outfit," realizing it might reveal too much. She tried to adjust it and even asked host Jimmy Fallon if there was "a problem." She humorously asked if anyone had a blanket she could wear. Fallon ended up handing her a tissue which she temporarily tucked in like a bib. Later, he gave her a cardigan that he said her dad, Don Johnson, had given him. She used it to cover her front for the rest of the interview.

This little moment shows her personality. She is able to laugh at herself and navigate tricky situations with grace. Despite being from a famous family, she seems down-to-earth and able to handle the unique pressures of Hollywood. Her path to success was not handed to her. She worked for it, facing financial struggles and tough auditions, before making it big in movies like Fifty Shades of Grey. Her story is a testament to her determination and her parents' firm approach to raising independent children.

Don Johnson himself seems proud of his daughter's journey. He has often shared the story of her saying she was not going to college and then quickly landing her first big role. It shows that his rule, while tough, did push Dakota to stand on her own two feet. It also highlights the different ways children of famous parents can make their mark in the world. Some might rely on connections, while others, like Dakota, choose a harder but ultimately more rewarding path.

Dakota Johnson is currently set to appear alongside Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans in Materialists. This romance movie is from Celine Song, who was nominated for an Oscar for Past Lives. The film will be in theaters on June 13. It is clear that despite the early financial hurdles, Dakota has built a strong career for herself. She continues to take on interesting roles and work with talented people. Her story is a reminder that even in Hollywood, sometimes a little tough love can go a long way in shaping a successful individual.