Extended cut: Dakota Johnson on her new doc, childhood, and curating a sex museum
Dec 11, 2023
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Actor, producer, and activist Dakota Johnson discusses her career, family, and new documentary 'The Disappearance of Shere Hite'. Topics include growing up in the spotlight, promoting Fifty Shades movies, the silenced history of sex researcher Share Height, documentary making, sexual wellness, and marketing restrictions on vibrators.
Dakota Johnson discusses her childhood in the spotlight and how her family's work influenced her desire to become an actor.
Johnson reflects on her experience starring in the '50 Shades of Grey' trilogy and shares the challenges she faced with fame and international press junkets.
Deep dives
Dakota Johnson's Upbringing in the Hollywood Spotlight
Dakota Johnson, the actor and producer, opens up about her childhood in the spotlight. Growing up with famous parents and a movie star grandmother, Johnson navigated the paparazzi and tabloid attention from a young age. While it was not a normal experience, she found stability in her schooling and had a strong passion for performing. She shares how her fascination with her family's work influenced her desire to become an actor and the joy she found in being on set and observing the filmmaking process.
Dakota Johnson's Journey with Fame and Stardom
As Dakota Johnson reflects on her experience starring in the '50 Shades of Grey' trilogy, she admits that she did not fully grasp the impact the films would have on her career and personal life. While she had a sense of their popularity due to the successful books, she was not fully prepared for the level of attention and scrutiny that came with the role. Johnson talks about the advice her grandmother gave her on handling press and the challenges she faced during international press junkets. Despite the overwhelming nature of fame, she cherishes the opportunities and growth that came with it.
Dakota Johnson's Work in Sexual Wellness Advocacy
In addition to her acting career, Dakota Johnson has become an advocate for sexual wellness. She discusses her involvement in a documentary about the sex researcher Shere Hite, highlighting the lack of awareness surrounding Hite's groundbreaking work on female sexuality. Johnson stresses the importance of open conversations about sexual wellness and the need for accessible sexual health products. She also mentions her role as the co-creative director of a sexual wellness company called MOD, which aims to provide sustainable and affordable products. Johnson challenges societal taboos around sexuality and emphasizes the significance of education and empowerment in this realm.
Today we're giving you a chance to hear an episode that we'd usually share with our Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me+ supporters! It's an extended cut of our interview with actor, producer, and activist Dakota Johnson, whose new documentary is The Disappearance of Shere Hite.
That's right — an extended cut. Our celebrity interviews sometimes last much longer than what we're able to include in our regular show. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me+ supporters can hear extended cuts in regular bonus episodes. They also get a chance to play a special news quiz game over zoom with Peter Sagal and Wait Wait staffer! To find out more, and to hear our regular show without sponsor messages, sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me+ at plus.npr.org