Dakota Johnson and Singer Role Model Spark Fresh Dating Rumors With Another LA Night Out

15 January 2026

Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images / Michael Buckner/Variety/Getty Images

Dakota Johnson and singer-songwriter Role Model have once again set off a flurry of speculation about their relationship following another recently spotted date night in Los Angeles that reminded fans and onlookers that Hollywood’s most talked-about romances often unfold in slow, intriguing chapters. On January 14, the Fifty Shades of Grey star, 36, and the 28-year-old indie pop artist whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury were photographed arriving together at celebrated Beverly Hills restaurant Marvin in coordinated all-black outfits, a sighting that added fresh fuel to the dating rumors that began swirling around the pair late last year.

This latest outing came just weeks after the duo was seen enjoying a candlelit holiday dinner with friends, a gathering described by insiders as close and affectionate. At that December address, photos from the event showed Johnson and Pillsbury leaning into one another in conversation, offering a warmth and ease that set social media buzzing and left many wondering if the two were more than friends. The Beverly Hills sighting was in many ways a follow-up moment, a quiet yet compelling public display that makes it harder for fans to ignore the growing narrative around them.

Johnson, a beloved fixture in Hollywood with a carefully curated public life, has been notably private about her romantic life since her high-profile split from Coldplay’s Chris Martin in June 2025. After nearly eight years together, that relationship ended amid reports that differences over family plans and the natural pressures of an age gap had taken their toll. Martin, now linked in rumors to actress Sophie Turner, was last seen with her in London, fueling its own speculation in entertainment circles. While Johnson and Martin never fully addressed their breakup publicly in detail, by the end of 2025 she was spotted out and about again, seemingly embracing solitude before any hint of a new chapter emerged.

Role Model, for his part, has his own established public profile rooted in music. Born Tucker Harrington Pillsbury in 1997, he carved out a reputation in the indie pop scene with his distinct voice and emotionally resonant songwriting, signing with Interscope Records and releasing acclaimed projects such as Rx and Kansas Anymore. He’s collaborated with notable artists and toured widely, bringing his songs to audiences across the U.S. and earning recognition for both his artistic evolution and his thoughtful lyricism. His previous high-profile romantic relationship was with influencer Emma Chamberlain, a pairing that lasted three years before ending in 2023 and captured considerable online attention.

The seeming chemistry between Johnson and Pillsbury has been marked by ease and subtlety rather than dramatic public gestures. At Marvin, the couple’s choice of coordinated outfits and unhurried strides into the restaurant suggested a comfort level with one another that goes beyond casual acquaintance. Though neither has formally commented on their relationship status, the back-to-back sightings first the candlelit dinner and now this mid-January evening have driven a steady current of buzz among fans and tabloids alike. The fact that representatives for both stars have remained silent only adds to the intrigue and leaves observers to interpret body language, shared appearances and timing for themselves.

What makes the speculation particularly compelling is the contrast between the couple’s experiences and expectations in love. Johnson’s high-profile engagement to Martin was a chapter closely followed by audiences around the world, and her willingness to enter the public eye again so soon has carried emotional resonance for fans. Conversations about her personal journey after that split have focused as much on her growth and happiness as on the question of whether she’s ready for something new. Meanwhile, Pillsbury’s own career ascent, informed by vulnerability and introspection in his music, contributes to the narrative of a pairing grounded as much in emotional compatibility as celebrity glamour.

Hollywood observers have noted that such relationships are seldom straightforward. Whether a couple is seen on a red carpet at a major industry event or simply ducking into a well-known eatery for dinner, the optics carry meaning in a culture where public appearances often do double duty as statements. In this case, the Johnson-Role Model sightings form a sequence that suggests more than coincidence, even in the absence of formal confirmation from either party. The creative worlds they inhabit film and music often intersect in ways that nurture friendships first and romances second, and the way this story has unfolded reflects that rhythm.

At the same time, the public’s fascination with age gaps has added another layer to the conversation. With Johnson at 36 and Pillsbury at 28, the pairing carries the sort of generational contrast that sparks commentary about compatibility, artistic connection and life stages. In an entertainment ecosystem that amplifies every nuance, that eight-year difference becomes part of the larger narrative, even if what matters most to the individuals involved is merely whether they enjoy each other’s company.

As 2026 continues, fans will surely watch to see whether Johnson and Role Model are photographed together again or whether one of them chooses to acknowledge the escalating rumors publicly. For now, the sequence of sightings from the cozy holiday dinner to the recent evening in Beverly Hill paints a picture of two creatives whose connection is worth watching, whether it ultimately blossoms into a lasting romance or remains a fleeting chapter of celebrity intrigue.