Dakota Johnson

Summary

Podcast Summary: Good Hang with Amy Poehler featuring Dakota Johnson

Episode Information

• Title: Dakota Johnson
• Release Date: June 10, 2025
• Host: Amy Poehler
• Podcast: Good Hang with Amy Poehler

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Introduction and Setting the Stage

In this engaging episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Amy welcomes renowned actress Dakota Johnson for her very first podcast appearance. The conversation is set in a relaxed studio environment, with Dakota bringing her newly rescued puppy, Tokyo, adding a heartwarming touch to the episode.

Friendship and Early Connections

The episode kicks off with a brief interaction featuring Amy's friend and editor, Blake Lee, who shares how he met Amy and his connection to Dakota. Blake reminisces about attending a dance party where he first connected with Amy through Aubrey Plaza and highlights the spontaneity that led to his lasting friendship with her.

Quote:
Blake Lee [02:22]: “I fell in love with you instantly... You changed my life.”

Dakota’s Upbringing and Family Background

Dakota delves into her unique upbringing, born into a family deeply rooted in the acting industry. She shares insights about her parents, including her father Don Johnson and stepfather Antonio Banderas, as well as her grandmother Melanie Griffith, a passionate animal conservationist.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [11:45]: “She rescued lions and tigers and elephants at one point.”

Growing Up Between Locations

Growing up amidst acting sets significantly influenced Dakota's perception of acting as a magical and safe space. She recounts riding dirt bikes and snowboarding in Woody Creek, Colorado, despite her aversion to skiing, highlighting a childhood filled with outdoor adventures rather than typical suburban experiences.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [16:54]: “I think of Woody Creek, Colorado. It was the best.”

Career Highlights and Influences

Dakota reflects on her early acting experiences, including her first professional role in a movie alongside her mother at the age of nine. She discusses her admiration for actors like Diane Keaton and her aspirations shaped by watching Saturday Night Live (SNL), which later became a significant part of her career when she hosted the show twice.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [35:52]: “I love SNL so much... It's my favorite place in the world.”

Handling Criticism and the Razzies

A candid segment of the podcast addresses Dakota’s recent Razzie win for Worst Actress in "Madame Web." Dakota maintains a positive outlook, sharing her experience of receiving support from Sandra Bullock and emphasizing the importance of humor in handling criticism.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [35:41]: “I was like, oh, my God. It was just crazy.”

Upcoming Projects: "The Materialists"

Dakota discusses her upcoming documentary film, "The Materialists," directed by Celine Song. She praises Song's directorial prowess and the collaborative process they underwent, emphasizing the emotional depth and clear vision that Song brought to the project.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [42:36]: “She's able to communicate what she wants emotionally... we had one brain.”

Personal Insights and Managing Anxiety

The conversation shifts to Dakota’s personal life, where she openly talks about her anxiety, particularly in high-pressure situations like award shows. She shares techniques she employs to remain present and manage her anxiety, attributing some of her composure to her unique upbringing on set.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [24:37]: “I have anxiety, but it makes me hyper present.”

Intimacy Coordination and Professional Growth

Dakota elaborates on her experiences with intimacy coordinators in her recent projects, highlighting the importance of creating safe and comfortable environments during sensitive scenes. She appreciates the guidance and professionalism that intimacy coordinators bring to the set.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [47:32]: “It was so cool. A lot of it is about feeling good in my body.”

Personal Life and Pet Adoption

Dakota introduces her rescue dog, Tokyo, sharing the emotional journey of adopting her new pet after her previous dog passed away. Amy emphasizes the importance of animal adoption, encouraging listeners to consider adopting from shelters.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [09:25]: “She’s like an angel.”

Fun Moments and Quick Questions

In a light-hearted speed round, Amy and Dakota discuss various personal preferences, such as favorite books, TV shows, and humorous takes on reality television. Dakota shares her discomfort with shows like "Farmer Wants a Wife," adding a humorous twist to the conversation.

Quote:
Dakota Johnson [54:19]: “It's a nightmare. Please tell me it's a nightmare.”

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with heartfelt thanks to Dakota and her dog, Tokyo. Amy reiterates her love for animals and encourages listeners to adopt pets from shelters. The conversation leaves listeners with a sense of warmth and appreciation for Dakota's candidness and Amy's welcoming host style.

Quote:
Amy Poehler [56:27]: “Thank you for coming on your first podcast. That means a lot.”

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Blake Lee [02:22]: “I fell in love with you instantly... You changed my life.”
2. Dakota Johnson [11:45]: “She rescued lions and tigers and elephants at one point.”
3. Dakota Johnson [16:54]: “I think of Woody Creek, Colorado. It was the best.”
4. Dakota Johnson [35:52]: “I love SNL so much... It's my favorite place in the world.”
5. Dakota Johnson [35:41]: “I was like, oh, my God. It was just crazy.”
6. Dakota Johnson [42:36]: “She's able to communicate what she wants emotionally... we had one brain.”
7. Dakota Johnson [24:37]: “I have anxiety, but it makes me hyper present.”
8. Dakota Johnson [47:32]: “It was so cool. A lot of it is about feeling good in my body.”
9. Dakota Johnson [09:25]: “She’s like an angel.”
10. Dakota Johnson [54:19]: “It's a nightmare. Please tell me it's a nightmare.”
11. Amy Poehler [56:27]: “Thank you for coming on your first podcast. That means a lot.”

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This episode offers a delightful blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and genuine humor, making it a must-listen for fans of Dakota Johnson and Amy Poehler alike. Whether you're interested in Dakota's acting journey, her approach to handling criticism, or her love for pets, this conversation provides a comprehensive and entertaining glimpse into her life and career.

Transcript

[Amy Poehler]

Hey, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. Very excited to introduce my guest, Dakota Johnson. Just an amazing actress and truth teller, and this is actually the first podcast she's ever done that she told us. So we're very honored to have her here. We talk about a lot of fun stuff today. We talk about analyzing her dreams. We talk about her receiving the razzie for the movie Madame Web. We talk about her new movie, the Materialists, coming out with Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. So we really get into it. A bunch of great stuff. And we always like to start these interviews with. With a. With a zoom from a friend of our guests or a fan of our guests, someone who's going to give me a question to ask them. So joining me now is Blake Lee. He is an actor. You may recognize him from Parks and Rec. He played Derek, the boyfriend of. Of April Ludgate, who also had a boyfriend. So they were a throuple. And that confused Leslie. Nope. So Blake Lee is joining us. He is great friends with Dakota, and he's gonna fill us in and get us ready for this interview. Blake. Hi. This episode is presented by Athleta. Summer is here. It's time to get outside and get active. And Athleta has just what women need to move the way they want. That's shorts for every type of run, from a casual jog on the beach to a competitive road race. There's skorts for on the court and pants for cool stretching. And there's always a matchback bra and top to complete your outfit. For stylish, innovative activewear, the choice can only be ATHLETA POWER OF SHE. Shop now@ athleta.com get up. What do you say? And I have the one who was a really good. Hey. I'm so thrilled you can do this.

[Blake Lee]

Hold on, let me move my head There. Can you see?

[Amy Poehler]

Wait, do you have my book behind you?

[Blake Lee]

This is where it always lives.

[Amy Poehler]

For listeners. Blake Lee has very nicely put my book behind him and his bookshelf. And I should say, he's also my editor.

[Blake Lee]

Yeah, exactly.

[Dakota Johnson]

Exactly.

[Blake Lee]

You're welcome.

[Amy Poehler]

Blake, let's talk for a second about how we met, because I think some people will recognize you, but maybe you can let people know how we're friends, how we met.

[Blake Lee]

So Aubrey Plaza and I were good friends, and she brought me to a dance party at some random club in Hollywood, and she was working on this. It was the first season of the show park, so no one had seen it yet. So you were all out. And I went dancing with you guys and just instantly fell in love with you. And I don't know if you remember this, but do you remember Aubrey, like, smashed the glass on her foot and was like, cut her foot at this club. And so you and I, like, took her into this bathroom and we're giggling and we're like, putting her foot in the sink and we're cleaning it. And it was just like. It was so one of those, like, magical nights. And then, like, two weeks later, Aubrey called me and was like, hey, so that show that I'm doing, like, my character is going to have, like, a gay best friend. And Amy was like, what about your gay best friend? You brought dancing the other night. And then you changed my life. Because I got to do the show for, you know, a handful of times, and it was the best. It was the best. And it's like, yeah, truly. I feel like every time I see you, though, I'm like, thank you. You changed my life. That was my first job. It was acting job. Yeah. And so it was so crazy to be, like, to have that. I feel so lucky to. That that was my first job. And, like, it's, like, wild. There's. I still random times. People will, like, be like, are you the gay guy from Parks and Reckons? Like, it happened once. Like, I was. I was peeing out of urinal and some, like, stranger was just peeing next to me and, like, looked over and he was like, wait, are you on Parks and Rec? This was years after. I'm just peeing next to him talking about parks.

[Amy Poehler]

I have to say, I'll never. As a. As a woman with female parts, I'll never, ever understand the etiquette of standing and peeing next to someone. It's so intimate.

[Blake Lee]

It's really intimate. And most people are speaking straight ahead, you know, I feel like most. That's. I don't know, the edit, you know?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, yeah, I don't know.

[Blake Lee]

Most of the time, it's like, you. I think that that's like, the universal thing is, like, just straight ahead. But every once in a while you get a.

[Amy Poehler]

How are you doing?

[Blake Lee]

It's so weird.

[Amy Poehler]

So weird because to be recognized in that moment, it's so vulnerable. I mean, it's just. Well, it's something else.

[Blake Lee]

It's funny.

[Amy Poehler]

I know it's funny.

[Blake Lee]

Something else.

[Amy Poehler]

Life is funny. Okay, so we're talking to Dakota today. And I gotta tell you, between you and me, I'm a little nervous because. And excited because I don't know Dakota that well. I am a huge Fan of her work. I think she's an amazing actress. She's so cool and speaks so slowly and has a vibe that I think is very, like, mesmerizing, which is. She seems to not worry too much about getting people's approval, but I might be projecting that. Before we get to your question, what do you think people get wrong about her?

[Blake Lee]

I think that people think she might take herself seriously, and she doesn't. She's. She really is, like, so goofy and so silly. Ben, my husband, was, like, saying, like, he was like. When I was saying that I was doing this, he was saying how, like, I get to see a version of her that not everyone gets to see because we're. I don't know, like, I make. I'm so goofy with her, and, like, we're just stupid. And I think it's like. I think that that's the thing. I think people might think that she's, like, this really serious person, and she's. She's not. She's so goofy.

[Amy Poehler]

It's so funny you say that because I, you know, came up with all these comedians and sketch performers and improvisers who everyone, you know, was like, are they just hilarious all the time? And you're like, no.

[Blake Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

No. And then conversely, actors, you know, like, you know, serious actors, there's a lot of people that assume, like, they're very, very introverted and take their. Themselves and their work very seriously. And that's not the case often.

[Blake Lee]

No, it's not. And I have to say, I went. I think. Yeah, both times she hosted snl, I was there, and she. I've never seen her happier. Like, she was like, this is the best thing on the planet. I never want to do anything else. I want to be here every day. And it's that, like, being around funny people, she just, like, gets off on that. I think she. She, like, is energized by, like, funny people.

[Amy Poehler]

I love that. Okay. Really helpful to know. So what do you think I should do? You have a question you want me to ask her today?

[Blake Lee]

Okay, so my question is, what actors did she look up to that she wasn't related to?

[Amy Poehler]

Ooh, very good. Yeah. Because, you know, a lot of people, you know, you know, may not know that she comes from very successful, talented parents that will talk.

[Blake Lee]

Grandparents and grandparents that step parent.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes. Let's just name it real quick. Tippy Hedge. Grandmother. Melanie Griffith. Mom. Antonio Banderas, Stepdad. Don Johnson, Dad. That's a. That's. Yeah, that's a lot. So, yeah, other than them Other than.

[Blake Lee]

Them, who as a kid, were you like, I want, you know, who did you look up to?

[Amy Poehler]

All right, that's perfect. That's all we need.

[Blake Lee]

I hope that helps.

[Amy Poehler]

I hope that helps. So, so good.

[Blake Lee]

You're gonna love her, and I'm so excited to hear it.

[Amy Poehler]

I am so excited to do it. Okay. Thank you so much. I'm.

[Blake Lee]

Have so much fun.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you so much. Blake, you look so cute. Is this. Is that bookshelf behind you real, or are you.

[Blake Lee]

Can you imagine? This is just like a. Yeah, I'm in my.

[Amy Poehler]

It's wallpaper. This is bookshelf wallpaper.

[Blake Lee]

It's just flat. It's flat.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I love you.

[Blake Lee]

I love you. I'll see you soon.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, take care. Bye. Thanks, Blake. This episode is brought to you by Uber Eats. Summer is here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered by Uber Eats. What do I mean by almost? Well, you can't get a summer blockbuster delivered, but you can get a block of cheese, a cabana, that's a no. But a banana, that's a yes. You know what I like to order from Uber Eats. Batteries don't eat batteries, but I often need batteries, and you can get batteries from Uber. Uber Eats get almost. Almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. For alcohol, you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details.

[Dakota Johnson]

This is so fun.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. Dakota is listeners. Dakota brought a puppy in. First time we've had an animal in the studio. Tell me about this animal person.

[Dakota Johnson]

She's my dog. And bye.

[Amy Poehler]

New dog.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, we rescued her on Saturday from the Santa Barbara pound. I didn't plan on it.

[Amy Poehler]

How many dogs do you have?

[Dakota Johnson]

Well, I had a dog for 17 years. He was 17. Oh, no. And he died in. Yeah, there you go.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my gosh.

[Dakota Johnson]

She's a performer.

[Amy Poehler]

Tokyo is checking out the mic.

[Dakota Johnson]

He died in December, and I was like, oh, it's gonna be a while. But then I saw her, and I just. She's like an angel.

[Amy Poehler]

What kind of dog is she? She's really cute. Wow.

[Dakota Johnson]

You are being amazing, Tokyo.

[Amy Poehler]

For listeners, Tokyo is trying to get up on the mic and also lick a little bit of the water, maybe. Oh, look, he's getting some of the water. Wait, let's get this asmr.

[Dakota Johnson]

She also hasn't peed in hours, so brace yourself.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, well, we can always just hold her over the table and squeeze.

[Dakota Johnson]

That's normally what I do over tables.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm happy that you brought. By the way. Hi. Hi. Thank you for coming and doing this. I'm so thrilled that you're here. And I was just saying that, like, you and I have seen each other at different places. We know a lot of the same people, but we've never actually been able.

[Dakota Johnson]

To have a one on one meeting chat.

[Amy Poehler]

No, I know. I'm thrilled that it's this.

[Dakota Johnson]

Me too. I actually was. I've never done a podcast and I only wanted to talk with you. Cause I feel quite safe.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. I'm going to take very good care of you. Okay. Yeah. This podcast is. Should be for the listener and for the guest. Very stress free.

[Dakota Johnson]

That sounds ideal for me. And Tokyo. And Tokyo, she is honestly. She has come alive on camera.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Tokyo knows how to find the lens.

[Dakota Johnson]

She normally hides in the back of her crate. She's really timid. And now she's like, here I am.

[Amy Poehler]

She's a show dog. She's ready to work.

[Dakota Johnson]

You're an actress just like your mom.

[Amy Poehler]

But you grew up with animals all the time, everywhere. Right? Like, your mom is a big animal person. Your grandmother was like a huge animal conserv. Would you say conservationist?

[Dakota Johnson]

I guess you could say that.

[Amy Poehler]

Would you say that about.

[Dakota Johnson]

She rescued lions and tigers and elephants at one point.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you have lions and tigers around?

[Dakota Johnson]

She did. At her house. Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you?

[Dakota Johnson]

My mom did growing up as well.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. You did not.

[Dakota Johnson]

I. At the. By the time I was alive, there was more safety in general in the world. Well, yeah, sort of. Ish. But certainly at my. At Marmar's house, they were no longer inside the house. They were in their. Still. They're. She's 95. She turned 95 in January and she still had. Excuse me. She's.

[Amy Poehler]

Tokyo is chewing the end of the.

[Dakota Johnson]

She's teething.

[Amy Poehler]

So, I mean, this is why sometimes. Well, I mean, I don't allow pets in my office. And it's caused a problem, I think, with some of the younger gen. Why.

[Dakota Johnson]

Do you hate animals?

[Amy Poehler]

I don't. I love. I love them, but I don't have a pet and, um, I don't like.

[Dakota Johnson]

Pets at work, but tell me why, Amy.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. Okay. It's actually. That's actually a really good question. I feel like it's just a little too distracting when you're working.

[Dakota Johnson]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

And I feel.

[Dakota Johnson]

So you're like a drill sergeant. Do you also keep the AC on full blast, like really cold?

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, of course.

[Dakota Johnson]

It's 65 degrees in here to keep everyone awake.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. To keep everybody up above so they can produce. Produce, Produce. Do you not do that? No, I mean, I've thought about it. Cause the women at Paper Kite, at my company, they have dogs. They have great dogs. They wanna bring them. And I'm even more of a hypocrite. When I had Suki, I was allowed to bring Suki into. When we were, like, writing our sketch show back in the 90s, I got to bring Suki into the Comedy Central office. But I'm. I'm gonna say, no, thanks, but that's.

[Dakota Johnson]

You. Dogs are allowed in my office. So if anyone who works for Amy wants to come to tea time, bring your dog. Bring your dog.

[Amy Poehler]

But wait, so you grew up, but you're. Did you just say more, More? Because Swedish.

[Dakota Johnson]

Swedish, yeah. Her. Her parents full. Full Swedish, full Swedes.

[Amy Poehler]

My brother lives in Sweden and his kids speak Swedish. And so my nieces and nephews call their grandparents more and more. Yeah, more, more far. And I got to meet your mom.

[Dakota Johnson]

When I feel like you have.

[Amy Poehler]

We got to. I got to see her at where a lot of blondes meet, which is at the hair salon. And one day. Well, more than once, actually, I've been on the same schedule as your mom. And she's so lovely. And she did something really generous that day. She was talking to me about skincare and then went home and brought back all this skin care, like, all this cream, and handed it out to everyone at the salon. It was really, really nice.

[Dakota Johnson]

That is so sweet.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. It was really nice. It was very, very.

[Dakota Johnson]

She beats me. Yeah, that's.

[Amy Poehler]

So is your mom a nice person?

[Dakota Johnson]

Yes, she is.

[Amy Poehler]

She's a generous, nice person.

[Dakota Johnson]

She's extremely generous. She's always been extremely generous. If you said to her, I love your shirt, she'd take it off. Mostly because she loves to be naked and has great tips.

[Amy Poehler]

You California kids or something. I mean, I know so many of you now, like Maya and Rashida, and you like people that grew up in California.

[Dakota Johnson]

Where did you grow up?

[Amy Poehler]

Like, outside of Boston. Okay. In a suburb. And there was like, something about. I used to watch movies like Karate Kid, and the kids would be in school in California, and it was like, what the Is this life? Like, their lockers are outside. Like, it's funny.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And they walk outside from class to class.

[Dakota Johnson]

So I didn't fully grow up in California. I was always like. My parents divorced when I was 6, and they were both actors or are actors. And my. So I'd spend the sort of divorce deal was two weeks and two weeks. I was big at that time, so it was. I would do, like, two weeks on location, wherever my mom was, and then two weeks on wherever my dad was. And that was a lot. He was living full time pretty much in Colorado, just in Aspen for a long time, and then he moved to San Francisco. So the first full year of school that I did in a school, not like traveling with a tutor, was fourth grade.

[Amy Poehler]

So when you think of your hometown, where do you think of?

[Dakota Johnson]

I think of Woody Creek, Colorado.

[Amy Poehler]

What was that like, the best?

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, it was the best. We, like, rode dirt bikes all over, and I lived on in Woody Creek, and there were two girls my age that lived up the road. So those are the girls that I would know. Now, one of them I don't keep in touch with as much, but if we saw each other, it'd be the same. But it's. It was just fun. We'd, like, ride horses to each other's house and tie them up outside. Or dirt bikes, and we'd snowboard. Well, I actually hated snowboarding so much to grow up in Colorado and, like, hate skiing. And snowboarding is.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, I was just in Colorado. Tina and I just did a show at Red Rocks.

[Dakota Johnson]

Fun.

[Amy Poehler]

So fun. Although it was pouring rain and 32 degrees, but it was still really fun. But everyone had, like. Everyone had their outdoor gear so set.

[Dakota Johnson]

Like, really dialed in.

[Amy Poehler]

Every single person had it all.

[Dakota Johnson]

Comes in, like, a tiny little bag. It's just, like, folds up.

[Amy Poehler]

And it was, like, pouring rain. And they were like, let's just go to the rain. Like, they knew exactly how to be outside. Yeah, they love outside.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, I love outside.

[Amy Poehler]

You love outside, but no skiing. How come?

[Dakota Johnson]

Because it sucks.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

And it's cold and it hurts.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, it really hurts.

[Dakota Johnson]

I have nightmares about skiing. I had one recently. I'm just remembering it now.

[Amy Poehler]

Ooh, tell us about it.

[Dakota Johnson]

Well, no, that's not interesting. When people talk about their dreams.

[Amy Poehler]

People talking about their dreams, it's like people talking about their improv shows. You're like. And then what happened? Yeah, I'm fascinated by dreams because I think we're similar in that I love sleep.

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, God. So much.

[Amy Poehler]

And I know you do, too, and I've seen you talk about it, and to get to dreams, you have to get to sleep. But I know that that sounds stupid, but most people don't dream. They don't sleep well enough to even dream, which is very sad.

[Dakota Johnson]

That is really sad.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

I actually had a dream the other night. Sorry, that.

[Amy Poehler]

Let's hear It. Let's hear it.

[Dakota Johnson]

Chris was like, that's a really good pitch for a movie. So Matty Healey from the 1975. Yes, familiar was in my dream.

[Amy Poehler]

Great.

[Dakota Johnson]

And he was murdering people.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

And he was, he was in the run. He was himself. He was Matty Healy as himself. And when the people were looking for him, they were cops maybe or I don't know. He would turn into a piece of asparagus.

[Amy Poehler]

And people would just run past him. Like that kind of thing.

[Dakota Johnson]

He'd just be like.

[Amy Poehler]

It'S really good. This is a really good idea. It's like age 24 would be all over that.

[Dakota Johnson]

And I was trying to find him. I was like, maddie, Maddie. And I just saw like these two kind of poles in a bed and I was like, maddie. And the sheets came down and it was him as an asparagus and Angelina Jolie as an asparagus.

[Amy Poehler]

What? She's in this too?

[Dakota Johnson]

Let's make sure that they were getting married. They were getting married and then they left in a helicopter together as asparagi.

[Amy Poehler]

That is such a weird ass dream.

[Dakota Johnson]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

You might be getting too much sleep because you get a lot of sleep.

[Dakota Johnson]

Let's ask America.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. So America, let's ask Dakota. How much sleep do you get a.

[Dakota Johnson]

Night if I am not working? It's like somewhere between 10 and 13 hours.

[Amy Poehler]

Incredible. Incredible. Incredible.

[Dakota Johnson]

But like 10 is normal for me.

[Amy Poehler]

And any sleep aids. Do you take anything to go to sleep?

[Dakota Johnson]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

Incredible. I. That's aspirational. Because you've traveled so much and been around so much, you must have a good sense of like how to acclimate quickly to wherever you are. Do you think you do?

[Dakota Johnson]

I try to just not think about it. I heard arnica is really good for jet lag.

[Amy Poehler]

Smearing it where?

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, in your vagina.

[Amy Poehler]

Put it right in your vagina and you wake up. You wake up and you're in another country. You don't even have to get on the plane.

[Dakota Johnson]

It's crazy. This is a new trick.

[Amy Poehler]

But you can swallow arnica.

[Dakota Johnson]

Little pellets. Yeah. Like homeopathic arnica.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Okay. Are you a homeopathic gal? Like, do you like. Yeah. What kind of stuff do you like that is pellets and creams and stuff. I mean, I feel like that again is. And I mean, I don't mean to. To generalize, but it does feel like when I move to California and I meet California kids, they love their vaccinated.

[Dakota Johnson]

And I. Yeah, a lot of them, A lot of.

[Amy Poehler]

I never Take. And I don't believe in medicine, but I do think that, you know, tea tree oil will get rid of my gallstones or whatever. But do you. Are you a homeopathic person? Do you. Do you take supplements?

[Dakota Johnson]

I take supplements, yeah. I take supplements. Like Xanax and just, like, natural.

[Amy Poehler]

Just natural things. Yeah. But did you, like, can you. I know this is a weird question, but I wanted to talk about it with you because what I love so much about you is the way that you're able to, like, handle silence.

[Dakota Johnson]

Mm.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. How did you learn how to do that?

[Dakota Johnson]

I think I learned early on in interview situations that if I speak out of context or, like, it doesn't go well. I think I just have been so scared of saying anything but answering the question or not or trying to not answer the question.

[Amy Poehler]

Very, very, like, honest, upfront, and truthful. When you do answer questions, I don't find you evasive at all.

[Dakota Johnson]

No. Yeah, I'm not.

[Amy Poehler]

So has that always been your.

[Dakota Johnson]

Although, you know what? I did once do that lie detector test for Vanity Fair. I'm doing one again.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you beat it?

[Dakota Johnson]

I lied and I passed.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, let's be honest. I mean, that's not a professional person running. Do you think there's a real professional person? I mean, they have them dressed up as a suit, but we don't know.

[Dakota Johnson]

I've watched other. And they're like, that's a lie. That's a lie. And you see the thing, and I fully lied and.

[Amy Poehler]

And they didn't catch you? No. Do you think you would. Low blood pressure?

[Dakota Johnson]

I really. Yeah, I do. That must be it. Truly, like, I would be a good spy.

[Amy Poehler]

You would.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah. I'll do that now. You heard it here first.

[Amy Poehler]

You're in Tokyo. You're in Tokyo. Out on the road. But it's true, because there is some kind of. You're right. There's like a. An energy where I don't feel a grasping energy from you ever.

[Dakota Johnson]

No. That's kind. Thank you. I don't want to have a grasping energy.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, a lot of people don't want to have it, but they just do. Like, they just can't figure out, you know, it's like they're just managing their anxiety in that way, and it comes out in that way. But I've always felt that about you, that you don't have that, or you're really good at. At managing it.

[Dakota Johnson]

I definitely have anxiety, but it makes me hyper present, so maybe that's what it is.

[Amy Poehler]

Ooh. Say more about that. That's cool.

[Dakota Johnson]

I don't know. It makes me just like, I'm so here. I'm so. I'm not. My brain doesn't go to a million places trying to figure out what to say next. I'm just, like, very present. And that happens also on, you know, like, talk shows or things. I get nervous, and if I have to go on stage, I have terrible stage fright.

[Amy Poehler]

You do?

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, my God.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm shocked.

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, my God. Like, an awards show is my nightmare. I have to do breathing exercises before. Like, if I have to present something or give a speech. Thinking about it makes me.

[Amy Poehler]

What is it? What's the. Like, what's the. What would be the nightmare you'd have about it? What's the fear you'd say something wrong?

[Dakota Johnson]

No, it's like a physical manifestation. Like, my kneecaps start quivering and my voice gets kind of shaky, and I get like. I'm like, say if I have to give a speech, I'll be like, I don't know how to read.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, I'm so sorry, I can't read.

[Dakota Johnson]

I suddenly don't know how to read.

[Amy Poehler]

So what is it about the camera and acting in front of the camera where you don't get that feeling?

[Dakota Johnson]

I have no idea. Yeah, I feel, like, very, very free and safe.

[Amy Poehler]

Mm.

[Dakota Johnson]

It's really weird.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you think it's, like, from growing up on set, like, you kind of explained that when you were a kid, sets were home based.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah. I mean, I saw that. I thought they were the most magical places. You did? Oh, my God. I loved being on set.

[Amy Poehler]

What did you like about it?

[Dakota Johnson]

When I loved everything. Like, I just thought it was the coolest. I loved the trailers. I loved base camp. I loved set. I loved, like, the ring of when it would be rolling and I'd be so excited to go in when it's when the red light went off and go and see what my mom looked like and what clothes she was wearing. And I guess that's how it felt. It started to build in my mind as a sacred space. It was like a safe place to be wherever the cameras were and the scene. Because it is really. It's like a beautiful, magical space if you want it to be.

[Amy Poehler]

And what was your first professional job?

[Dakota Johnson]

Well, I guess it was the Social Network when I was 18, 19. But I did a part in a movie that my mom was in when I was nine.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

And I took that very seriously. I was a professional.

[Amy Poehler]

You did? You analyzed your dreams?

[Dakota Johnson]

I worked with a dialect coach to have A little Southern accent.

[Amy Poehler]

And did you. What do you remember about that? Did you feel like you nailed it at 9?

[Dakota Johnson]

I think I nailed it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

I think I felt like I nailed it as well. And I loved it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

So much.

[Amy Poehler]

That's cool. Do you feel like it was in your blood? Like, do you always feel like ever since you were a little kid, like that it was, like, inevitable that you were gonna be an actor?

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, I think so, definitely. For me. And it's funny, my siblings. My oldest brother acts sometimes, and he went to school. He studied acting. And one of my sisters is an amazing sort of photographer. And my other sister wants to be a director. So it's definitely in our family. But, like, my mom, my dad, my grandmother, my grandfather, they were all actors and, like, working actors, all with their own special magic sauce.

[Amy Poehler]

I also am remembering, too, that I met your mom. I saw your mom again when your stepdad hosted snl, because I was there. Antonio Banderas, your stepdad, what year was that? That was probably 2000. I'm pretty bad with this kind of stuff, but it was pre baby for me, so it was like 2000, maybe 4, 5, 6, something like that. And delightful. So nice. Smelled great.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, Always.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

She wears mousse de cartier. I don't know if they make that anymore, even.

[Amy Poehler]

Mousse de cartier.

[Dakota Johnson]

Mouste.

[Amy Poehler]

That means the moosecart in English. And what did Antonio wear? Cause he smelled great, too. We don't know.

[Dakota Johnson]

I don't know. But actually, now I think he has his own cologne or, like, perfume line. And it's so cute and funny to me, it's like Stallion by Antonio Banderas or something.

[Amy Poehler]

Perfect.

[Dakota Johnson]

Or like, Dark Cloud.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Dakota Johnson]

Sexy cloud.

[Amy Poehler]

Sexy Dark cloud.

[Dakota Johnson]

Sexy Stallion, Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

He did a scene. I did a scene with him and Chris Parnell on SNL that I loved, where we were, like, describing wine and just describing, like, the adjectives of wine, which is very similar. And there was a line where it was like, do I sense a hint of swordplay? It was so good.

[Dakota Johnson]

That's funny.

[Amy Poehler]

You are so great on snl, and I know you loved doing it. What did you love about doing it?

[Dakota Johnson]

Well, I love SNL so much. Well, you know, I like. I mean, even moments sitting here talking to you, I'm like, I can't believe I'm sitting here talking to you.

[Amy Poehler]

Come on.

[Dakota Johnson]

I know. I'm serious. It was such a huge part of shaping my wanting to work in comedy at all. And then the fact that I've even gotten to do it Once, but twice. That is the. It's my favorite place in the world. It's that same kind of thing of like, I want to be in there.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, but are you nervous? You're not so nervous. Okay, great.

[Dakota Johnson]

So nervous, but in like a fit of glee. Absolute glee. I love it.

[Amy Poehler]

What do you love about it?

[Dakota Johnson]

I think I love how everyone is just trying to make the best thing and the funniest thing. And everyone is so smart and the energy there is. Is like. It's the most important thing anyone has ever done in their lives. And yet it's just funny.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. It is like a theater camp vibe.

[Dakota Johnson]

Totally.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, oh, no, we have a show. We have to do it.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

And then I really like all of the, like, behind the scenes gossip and the, like, these people don't get along and this is really hard. And everyone's really tired and drinking, like, going. When I was there last year and going around in like the first couple days and meeting with all the writers and they had. It was like 8pm and everyone had just gotten there. And like, I can't imagine. I can't imagine that, like, everyone had really big iced coffees that they just got.

[Amy Poehler]

Just starting.

[Dakota Johnson]

Just starting.

[Amy Poehler]

That was like. The hours of that show are like left over from cocaine days, basically, I think. But they're just. It's crazy that you don't start writing or. I mean, some people do, but the majority of people don't start writing until Tuesday night. And we even talk about. There's this feeling that happens sometimes on Tuesday nights, which is this panic and you don't know where it's coming from. And then you're like, oh, this is just writing night fear. Yeah. And you walk around and everyone's pitching you ideas that they haven't even written yet.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

But it's. It's a magical place. It's like Disneyland. It's my most favorite place I've ever been. I just. I don't know what it is. I love it so much. I watch it all the time. I go back and watch your sketches. I watch. I watch it all. It's very weird. I should stop. I should go.

[Amy Poehler]

Is Tokyo asleep? Yeah, Tokyo has completely fallen asleep. And I mean, listeners, you can't see, but just the cutest dog in the world. She's sitting on Dakota's lap.

[Dakota Johnson]

She's so special.

[Amy Poehler]

You really are making me think that.

[Dakota Johnson]

Do you know what's funny is animals.

[Amy Poehler]

Should still not be allowed in the workplace.

[Dakota Johnson]

Did you notice my nails?

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

I have a French Manicure.

[Amy Poehler]

Ooh.

[Dakota Johnson]

Which is very not me, but Tokyo has one. I thought it would be funny if we had the same nails.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah, Tokyo does have them. Oh, come on. Oh, my. Oh, come on.

[Dakota Johnson]

I think it's because she has a calcium deficiency. Yeah, but she has a little natural.

[Amy Poehler]

French little tank here. Boy, she's cute.

[Dakota Johnson]

She's really cute. Anyway.

[Amy Poehler]

This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Calculators make complicated things simple, like finding the square root of PI, figuring out how long you should tan, whether or not you should co sign for a car, and whatever those other buttons mean. What's not complicated? Earning daily cash back. With Apple Card, you earn up to 3% daily cash on products at Apple, 2% on all other Apple Card with Apple Pay purchases, and 1% on anything you buy with your titanium Apple Card. See? Simple as 3, 2, 1. And Apple Card made it even easier by building a calculator. Love a good calculator. Visit Apple Co cardcalculator today and see how much daily cash you can earn with Apple Card. Subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City branch terms and [e-mail] so we do this thing where we talk well behind people's backs. And we ask someone that knows our guest, you know, what they think I should. How to ruin their life. And how to ruin their life, we ask. Yeah, we all get all the dirt. And I talked to Blake. Did he tell you?

[Dakota Johnson]

No, but I heard you were gonna do that, and I think he thought it was a surprise.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, so he didn't tell you.

[Dakota Johnson]

He didn't tell me.

[Amy Poehler]

He's such a good boy.

[Dakota Johnson]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

He's such a nice guy.

[Dakota Johnson]

What did you talk about?

[Amy Poehler]

So Blake wanted me to ask you, who, besides your family, when you were growing up, who did you look up to as an actor? Actor and actress. Like, who did you like? What actor and actress did you admire?

[Dakota Johnson]

Blake wanted to ask that.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

Did he Google, like, most basic questions to ask an actress? That's the question you can say.

[Amy Poehler]

Pass.

[Dakota Johnson]

Okay. No, I'll answer it. Recently, I actually exchanged texts while I got a voice note from Sandra Bullock.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow.

[Dakota Johnson]

I know. Because I don't know if you know, but I won the Razzie for Worst Actress.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. You did. Congrats. Thank you. That's a really good. There's a lot of good people that have won that.

[Dakota Johnson]

Thank you so much.

[Amy Poehler]

What did you win it for?

[Dakota Johnson]

This really good movie called Madame Web.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yes. I don't know if you've heard of it.

[Amy Poehler]

And did you accept the Razzie?

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, yeah. I asked if they'd send it to me.

[Amy Poehler]

That's incredible.

[Dakota Johnson]

But Sandra Bullock sent me a voice note being like, I heard you are in the Razzie Club. And we should have brunch. We should have, like, a monthly brunch, because I guess she won that when. Like, the year that she won the Oscar as well.

[Amy Poehler]

Are you kidding me?

[Dakota Johnson]

It was, like, in the same year, I think. But I freaked out getting this message from her because she's so iconic.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes. Yes.

[Dakota Johnson]

To me, as, like, a movie star. I was like, oh, my God. It was just crazy. But I don't know. Like, I grew up being fascinated by, first of all, younger actresses that worked with my mom. So, like, Thora Burch, Christina Ricci. I was always like, oh, you can do that as, like, a teenager. Because I really wanted to. And then Diane Keaton, I was obsessed with. Still obsessed with. And then, like, snl. Yeah, a lot of snl.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

But, yeah. Great question, Blake.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, can I. Can I talk about that Razzie thing for one more second, though? Because why I love talking about that with you is because I think your career is so super diverse and always interesting, and you pick really big movies and you pick small movies, and it feels like you pick what you want to do. Like, it feels like you really go with your gut about what you want to make. And I feel like you handling it that way is the most powerful and interesting way, because if we're lucky, we're gonna have a really long career. Like, that's the goal. Right. Stick around.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

So this idea of, like, we have had our last, you know, our last best thing or that this thing didn't hit, but I don't know, how do you ride the wave of that? Like, you have a sense of humor, I guess, about your work. That's important.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, it's so. It's. I think about this a lot because. And I know you. You have experienced this because everybody is going through it all the time now, but you. You. Like, we don't have control over how something turns out.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

Anymore. No one does. Like, very, very few directors or actors, like Tom Cruise maybe does.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

You know, like, but I don't. I've signed on to a movie that is, by the end of shooting it, a completely different script than what I attach to. And that is a wild thing to, like, a crazy journey to go on as a. As an artist. Because you're like, okay, I'm doing something like, with my actual body and my actual mind and my heart, my emotions, I'm, like, using things and. And it's just being taken and fucked with, but you can't do anything about it. Like, what am I going to do? Fucking cry about Madame Web? No, no, I'm going to laugh.

[Amy Poehler]

You're going to go to the Razzies and you're going to spike the.

[Dakota Johnson]

You're going to have a drum person away. I wish they did.

[Amy Poehler]

They should.

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, my God, I wish they did.

[Amy Poehler]

That would be amazing if you went there and then you just gave an epic speech and then you just spiked the award. You just, like. You just threw it down.

[Dakota Johnson]

Sandra Bullock said she asked for the award and, like, picked it up, and then they called her and asked her to give it back because they only.

[Amy Poehler]

Had one, by the way, who is the Razzie committee?

[Dakota Johnson]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

I'd love to. I'd love to. I'd love to hear. I'd love to have the Razzie committee show themselves.

[Dakota Johnson]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

Sorry. I'm gonna do a lip balm break. It's really a funny thing, but, I mean, I feel like you probably had to figure that out with 50 shades of gray, right? Yeah, that was another thing. It was like, okay, this project, it's a big project. I'm signing on, and now I have to give up control. And now I'm in this, and it's going to be a lot of years of my life, and I got to figure out how to.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, that was a wild journey. Very, very interesting. That was another version of signing on to something that was one thing and it turned out to be another. But I'm so grateful.

[Amy Poehler]

I was gonna say with time. How do you look at it now?

[Dakota Johnson]

I mean, I'm so grateful for that experience. The first movie with Sam Taylor Johnson directing was really extraordinary as an experience. Extraordinary. And I think the movie is as good a version of it as it could be.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

But it was challenging. Like, it was. I signed onto a script that was different than what we ended up shooting.

[Amy Poehler]

Right.

[Dakota Johnson]

Written by a different person. It was, you know, and then you're attached. You're signed a contract, so you're in. Signed on to do it with a different actor. It was like, a different thing. And then it all changed, and I was just in it and. But it was so. I was so young. I was. I think I turned 24 while we were shooting.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow.

[Dakota Johnson]

And I was so, like, brave. I just feel proud of myself for being brave and being interested in, like. I don't know. It just felt wild. And it also. Like, there were no intimacy coordinators then or anything like that.

[Amy Poehler]

That was not that long ago, too. Like, a lot has changed.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. And there was an expectation of just like, figure it out yourself in real time in front of everyone. It's intense.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, it was a lot.

[Amy Poehler]

Who has been your favorite director? Someone that you just think when, you know, you've worked with a lot of great directors and a lot of great actors. Who's someone that, when you think about, you think. That was just. That experience was so good. I loved it.

[Dakota Johnson]

I've had that a lot. And I've had the opposite a lot.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

But I loved Celine song. She is.

[Amy Poehler]

I love her. I'm so excited about this movie.

[Dakota Johnson]

A spectacular director, filmmaker.

[Amy Poehler]

For people who don't know. She wrote and directed Past Lives with Greta Lee a few years ago, and she is the. Did she write your new film or just.

[Dakota Johnson]

She wrote and directed the Materialist.

[Amy Poehler]

It's her second film, and it is coming out. It's actually. I mean, it's the reason why you're here, let's be honest.

[Dakota Johnson]

That's true. It is June 13th.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you. June 13th.

[Dakota Johnson]

I've been trained.

[Amy Poehler]

Tell me why you love Celine. She's an incredible director.

[Dakota Johnson]

She's amazing. She comes well. Her background is she's a playwright. And I think there's a different sort of control that she has over what she wants, which is really such a relief. Like, it's nice to work with somebody who knows exactly what they want from every single frame of the movie. I was like, oh, yes.

[Amy Poehler]

So do you think she's. You mean she's had it in her head? She's, like, storyboarded it in her head, or she's just able to communicate what she wants?

[Dakota Johnson]

She's able to communicate what she wants emotionally. And we. We spent a couple months going through every line of the script, and she would. She was like, this is what she means. Here is this. And what do you think about. Like, we. We just talked about it. We talked through everything and. And then on the day we. It was like we had one brain.

[Amy Poehler]

Have you ever directed.

[Dakota Johnson]

I have directed a short that Blake was in, actually.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you want to do more?

[Dakota Johnson]

I would. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

Do you want to direct primarily?

[Amy Poehler]

I like it right now. More than acting, for sure.

[Dakota Johnson]

I think about you for things all the time, really.

[Amy Poehler]

What should we work on together?

[Dakota Johnson]

I have something that I think you would love.

[Amy Poehler]

Email it to me right now. I'll read it.

[Dakota Johnson]

Okay. I'll email it to you later. Oh, great.

[Amy Poehler]

That would be so fun. I would love to work with you. I mean, I feel. Well, we should talk about materialists because it is a movie about, you know, two men being in love with you. Congratulations on your first documentary.

[Dakota Johnson]

Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, what. Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans, and you. What is the movie about?

[Dakota Johnson]

The movie is about a woman who's a matchmaker in New York City, which is funny because Celine was a matchmaker in New York City for six months. This is where the movie comes from. She did it on the side to pay the bills. Cause she was a struggling playwright. So I play Lucy, who's the matchmaker. And she's just the best at her job and really good at sort of assigning people as mates based on pretty surface level criteria like height and income and hairline. Like, that's what people are out there looking for. It's not about a soul connection. It's about, like, do you. Do you tick my boxes of what I want, what I think my life should look like? And she then kind of goes on her own journey of what you would think is that she doesn't really have. She's not really invested in people's souls, but you realize she is. And she cares about these people that she's working with and how their lives turn out and if they're happy. And then she has to kind of figure out for herself what is more important, really, truly in this life. Is it to achieve the life that you think you want, or is it to actually be seen and loved?

[Amy Poehler]

It's interesting you say that because it feels like, oh, of course you want be. Right. Of course you want to be seen and loved. But there is something about in life how relationships help you get some. Get to be some version of yourself that you want. Like, whether it's you want to be. You want to have kids or you want to be married, or you want to live in France or whatever is the version of the thing of your fantasy of your life. Relationships help you get that. And you're right. Sometimes it's a trade off. Like, I get this thing, but I don't get this thing. Or I feel seen, but. And loved, but the person doesn't fit into some version of my dream life. Yes.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah. Or my ideal, whatever.

[Amy Poehler]

When you have to do sex scenes, like, how do you psych yourself up for that.

[Dakota Johnson]

Amy? I don't have to.

[Amy Poehler]

You don't.

[Dakota Johnson]

I'm, like, always psyched up for sex.

[Amy Poehler]

You're psyched up? Yeah. Fuck, yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

Psyched up. Is that a Thing?

[Amy Poehler]

What do you mean? You have to, like, you just feel like I'm psyched, but, you know, like, psych up today. You're like, 7:30am let's do it. Like, that's a lot.

[Dakota Johnson]

Let's go to Pound Town.

[Amy Poehler]

Let's go to Pound Town. Everybody get the lights in here. It's a lot.

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, God, you're right. I recently did a movie a few months ago, and we had an intimacy coordinator on set. And it was the first time I've ever worked with one. And she was really great.

[Amy Poehler]

Great.

[Dakota Johnson]

It was so cool. It was like, what did she. Because I'm so used to. I'm so used to just, you know, like, it's a sex scene. It's not like, no, I don't like sexy. It doesn't feel.

[Amy Poehler]

Most people don't know I'm being serious. Like, I'm not like, no, a fake sex scene is a complete. It's like being an astronaut. Like, so few people have done it.

[Dakota Johnson]

That's really true. You're right. I'm sorry.

[Amy Poehler]

It's okay.

[Dakota Johnson]

It's not, you know. Okay, let me.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

You want me to explain?

[Amy Poehler]

Of course.

[Dakota Johnson]

Okay, so a sex scene.

[Amy Poehler]

Hold on, I gotta write. I gotta get this down.

[Dakota Johnson]

You're taking notes.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm taking notes. Go ahead.

[Dakota Johnson]

When two actors pretend that they're having sex.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

And you do all the things except have sex.

[Amy Poehler]

Right. And that's important for people to know.

[Dakota Johnson]

Make sounds like you're having sex and you're not yet.

[Amy Poehler]

So when you approach a scene, you're like, today's the day. You don't feel stressed. You feel like, how do you feel about it? And then what was the difference with this coordinator? What made it different? Because you're right. You've done a lot, and you know how to handle yourself during it, I guess, is what you're saying.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah. Well, first, I think it depends on, like, who is the character and who's the character supposed to be to the audience? Is she, like a super idolized hot girl? Is she, like, a housewife? Is she lonely? Is she scared? Is she. Is she conservative? You know, like, it doesn't. So that's obviously character work. But then. So, like, certain prep, I guess, would go into it. Like, I want to feel good in my body.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

If I'm showing my body. I've never felt. Felt like my mom raised me to be really, really proud of my body and. And love my body. So I've always felt so grateful for that, especially in my work, because I Can use it, and it feels, like, real.

[Amy Poehler]

How did she do that? Because I think a lot of mothers want to make sure they do that for their daughters, but they don't know how to do that in practice. Would it be the way she would speak about it with you, or was there other ways that she made you feel that way?

[Dakota Johnson]

I think it was the way she spoke about it with me. And also, she was very, like, honest and open about body stuff and, like, getting my period, you know, like, really good about it. And, like, I have friends whose mothers never spoke to them about that stuff. And it's so hard and sad. Just got very warm on my lap. She may have peed on me.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my gosh.

[Dakota Johnson]

But I don't think so.

[Amy Poehler]

It's okay. And listeners, Tokyo, not me. If you're not watching it, it just.

[Dakota Johnson]

Got very warm on my lap. Amy. Pete. It was not me.

[Amy Poehler]

It was not me.

[Dakota Johnson]

So. Okay, so she also talked to me about sex and, like, how precious and important and to, you know, whatever. So I guess in my work, I, I. It's something that I feel brave with and that I feel when it's. When it's used the right way in a story, it's important. So I've always just, like, done the simulated sex scene, but now with the intimacy coordinator was like, do you want a Pilates ball between you guys for the thrusting movement?

[Amy Poehler]

Just to get some core workout.

[Dakota Johnson]

And I was like, what? But then we're gonna be, like, so far away from each other. And I was not. And we didn't end up using that. But a lot of it also is, like, there are times when I've done a sex scene where I'm by myself because I'm only in the frame. So I'm just, like. Like, gyrating on my own and looking.

[Amy Poehler]

At a tennis ball off camera.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah, exactly. Or like, slamming myself into a headboard.

[Amy Poehler]

And then on the other side of the camera is, like, just a bunch of crew guys. Just a bunch of spirits.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah. With their heads down.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, but I'm gonna ask you a bunch of things very quickly. This is like a speed round, and I want you to tell me your thoughts.

[Dakota Johnson]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

Tokyo has woken up. Oh, wait, Tokyo's coming. Oh, hi. Okay.

[Dakota Johnson]

Olivia Colman, the best human on the planet. On the planet, yes.

[Amy Poehler]

The film you guys did together is so good. Lost Daughters. So great.

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, she's amaz.

[Amy Poehler]

Just seems smart and funny.

[Dakota Johnson]

She is the funniest person. And so much fun.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

So much fun.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. And you love reading.

[Dakota Johnson]

I love reading.

[Amy Poehler]

I do, too. Do you have a number of books you try to read a year? Like, do you try to.

[Dakota Johnson]

My bedside table right now is maybe 27 books. It's ridiculous. They're just piles and piles of books that I'm trying to get through. A lot of them are like therapy books. And then. Stop it. And then I'm fired. I don't work for you anymore.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, this is exact. I mean, this is what always happens, right? Is like, animals are super cute, and then they're animals. They can't help it. I mean, look how cute this dog is.

[Dakota Johnson]

I think you should get a puppy.

[Amy Poehler]

Absolutely. I would rather get a kick in the face, a case of snakes than a puppy.

[Dakota Johnson]

Okay, done.

[Amy Poehler]

And then. Oh, Tokyo, you are very cute, though. You're very cute. I talked to you about Olivia Colman. I have written down here work, life, balance. Right now I'm just scratching Tokyo. Okay. This dog is winning me over. This dog is really nice.

[Dakota Johnson]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

She's very nice.

[Dakota Johnson]

Go wee wees.

[Amy Poehler]

Don't tell her to go wee wee. Go, beauties. What are you listening to right now? Watching. Checking out. That's like, when you want to check out and laugh. What do you. Where do you go? What are you listening to?

[Dakota Johnson]

Okay, this is a very weird thing that I've been doing.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, great. Love it.

[Dakota Johnson]

I don' Reality television.

[Amy Poehler]

Same. I barely watch it.

[Dakota Johnson]

But I have found a show called Farmer Wants a Wife. Have you heard of it?

[Amy Poehler]

No.

[Dakota Johnson]

Oh, my God.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God.

[Dakota Johnson]

It's a nightmare. Please tell me it's a nightmare.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Dakota Johnson]

A farmer, like, scrolls through a list of women and picks eight of them. They all come. There's four farmers.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Dakota Johnson]

Eight women per farmer.

[Amy Poehler]

Eight women per farmer?

[Dakota Johnson]

Yes. Then they go on a.

[Amy Poehler]

The odds are stacked. Speed date.

[Dakota Johnson]

10 minutes per woman. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

And do they speed date on a farm or in, like, a studio?

[Dakota Johnson]

In, like a. In like a barn set?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

And then they see if they have a connection. And then he has to choose five women to bring back to his farm and date them all for six weeks.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God.

[Dakota Johnson]

That's insane.

[Amy Poehler]

First of all, I'm just horrified by the amount he gets to pick from. He gets to pick from five?

[Dakota Johnson]

It's ridiculous.

[Amy Poehler]

And do they. And is a lot of his choosing about what? Kind of. Like, how is she gonna help me with the.

[Dakota Johnson]

That's the crazy thing is he makes them do a lot of manual labor.

[Amy Poehler]

This is nice.

[Dakota Johnson]

And I'm like, what is going on?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, he wants a wife. Farmer wants a wife.

[Dakota Johnson]

Farmer wants a Wife, and they're like, you know, I really like that she's from the city, but I don't know how she'll do out on the tractor. It's so. I don't know what accent that was. I don't know where that farmer's from.

[Amy Poehler]

Your dialect coach. He's coming back your nine year old collar up. Yeah. Whoa. Okay. And what do you like about watching it? Do you like because you're outraged by it or. Yes. Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

And I can't stop. I feel really uncomfortable. Like, deeply uncomfortable. But then I keep going.

[Amy Poehler]

And do you get invested? Like, who is he gonna pick?

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And has there ever been any, like.

[Dakota Johnson]

Drama between the girls? Of course.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Do they sabotage each other at all?

[Dakota Johnson]

Like, they definitely talk some shit and they, like, gang up on each other. And some of them are just. They're just nuts.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Dakota Johnson]

And some of them are like. I'm like, oh, they'd be a good match. I really get along.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you ever get a vibe like, wow, they're gonna be together? Like, sometimes, like, it's a good. It's a good match.

[Dakota Johnson]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Farmer wants a wife. Okay. Dakota, thank you so much for doing this.

[Dakota Johnson]

Thanks for having me.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you for coming on your first podcast. That means a lot and you are so great, and I'm just so appreciate you coming.

[Dakota Johnson]

Thank you for having me.

[Amy Poehler]

And Tokyo, thank you for coming. You're our one and only dog. Because we have to put a sign up outside after this. She is. I'm so. There's a lot going on. Good girl, Dakota. Thank you again.

[Dakota Johnson]

Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

I love spending the day with you. Thank you. Yay.

[Dakota Johnson]

Let's do it every day.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. That was really. That was a great interview. Dakota is so fun and funny, and she did bring a dog. And I just. I just want to say I love animals. I think you should adopt animals from shelters. I had a dog for a long time, so don't let my resistance to having a dog on the podcast lead you astray. And speaking of strays, there's a lot of strays to adopt, so please adopt an animal today. But maybe just check with your boss about whether or not you should bring that animal to work, because, you know, the answer might be no. But just please know I just love animals. And Tokyo, thank you for coming on the podcast and we'll check in with you next time. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weissberman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by the ringer and Paper Kite for the Ringer Production by Jack Wilson, cat Spillane, Kaia McMullen and Alaya Zaneras for Paper Kite production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles I am the one who wants a really good hey. This episode is brought to you by Uber Eats. Summer is almost here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. What do I mean by almost? Well, you can't get a summer blockbuster delivered, but you can get a block of cheese. A cabana, that's a no. But a banana? That's a yes. A day of sunshine? No. A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now for alcohol you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. C app for details.