How Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson Fostered a Strong Friendship Amid Initial Tension

Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson are a great example of a blended family, but their relationship wasn't always smooth sailing. According to a source in the latest issue of We, Paltrow, who is 51, was a bit hesitant to welcome Johnson, 34, when she began dating Chris Martin in 2017.

Paltrow was married to Martin from 2003 to 2014 before they decided to "consciously uncouple." Even after their separation, they remained dedicated to co-parenting their daughter Apple, who is now 19, and son Moses, who is now 18. Paltrow later married Brad Falchuk in 2018, while Martin began dating Johnson, despite the 13-year age difference.

According to a second source, it's normal to feel a certain way when your ex starts dating someone new. This caused some tension between Gwyneth and Dakota when Chris and Johnson began their relationship.

Paltrow initially had concerns about the age difference, but her perspective shifted after observing Johnson's role as a caring stepmother to Apple and Moses.

According to another source, it took some time for Paltrow to see how well Dakota cared for her children. Witnessing Johnson's genuine love and affection for them had a significant impact on Paltrow's feelings.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson Became Friends After Tension Inside Their Healthy Dynamic 529

Gwyneth Paltrow, Dakota Johnson. Getty Images (2)

The first source mentioned that Paltrow now considers Johnson as part of the family. They spend time together, travel, and have big dinners as one unit. It’s a healthy dynamic.

Paltrow and Johnson have openly talked about their friendship. In a recent Bustle profile, the Madame Web star expressed her admiration for their blended family.

Johnson expressed his deep love for the children, emphasizing how important they are to him. He shared that he values the chosen connections with people more than the connections with those he is born to, as he grew up in a large family believing in the saying 'Blood is thicker than water.' The full saying is 'The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb,' highlighting the significance of chosen relationships.

Dakota is the daughter of former couple Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, both of whom have children from previous relationships. Griffith has a son named Alexander with ex-husband Steven Bauer, and a daughter named Stella with ex-husband Antonio Banderas. On the other hand, Don has a son named Jesse with ex Patti D'Arbanville, and children named Atherton, Jasper, and Deacon with his current wife Kelley Phleger.

Us confirmed in March that Dakota and Martin got engaged some time ago and are planning to invite Paltrow, Apple, and Moses to their wedding.

A third source revealed to Us earlier that month that Dakota and Gwyneth have developed a strong bond over the years and now see each other as family. The source also mentioned that Chris values how well Dakota has integrated into his and his children's lives.

For more on Paltrow and Johnson’s friendship, pick up the new issue of We, on newsstands now.

Editor's P/S:

The blended family dynamic between Gwyneth Paltrow, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Martin is a testament to the evolving nature of modern relationships. Despite initial reservations and