Meet Anastasia Steele: 11 Facts You Need To Know About Dakota Johnson
Yesterday, the world was finally blessed with the trailer for the much-anticipated film adaptation of the novel "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James.
The fastest-selling paperback of all time, "Fifty Shades" has already enchanted (and aroused) millions of people in its written form -- and so, of course, we're all ready to see how it translates to the silver screen.
Anastasia Steele, the doe-eyed protagonist of the film, is played by Dakota Johnson, who is no stranger to Hollywood (even if you might not immediately recognize her).
We know all about Anastasia, but we don't really know much about Dakota Johnson.
At just 24, she's already starred in a handful of movies, but "Fifty Shades of Grey" is definitely one of the bigger roles of her career.
"Fifty Shades" will undoubtedly typecast Dakota because, let's be serious, after those sex scenes, who is going to think of anything else?
Next Valentine's Day can't come soon enough.
In the meantime, let's find out a little bit more about the lovely leading lady who will surely steal our hearts (and our good pair of underwear):
1. Her parents are Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith
2. Her acting debut was alongside her mom and sister
Dakota made her first on-screen appearance back in 1999 in "Crazy in Alabama." She and her half-sister, Stella Banderas, played the daughters of their real life mother, Melanie Griffith.
The film was also directed by her stepfather Antonio Banderas — really keeping it all in the family.
3. Dakota served as the first second-generation Miss Golden Globe
In 2006, Dakota was voted Miss Golden Globe; her mother was Miss Golden Globe back in 1975, which made her the first second-generation Miss Golden Globe winner in history.
She's also the third generation to be involved with the Globes, her father received one for "Miami Vice" back in 1984 and her grandmother Tippi Hedren won for Most Promising Newcomer in 1964.
4. Her first office box hit was "The Social Network" in 2010
The film received eight Oscar nominations, one of which was for Best Picture. In the film, she shares a scene with heartthrob Justin Timberlake as his passing one-night stand.
It will be interesting to see how the numbers for that film compare to "Fifty Shades of Grey."
5. Despite her role in "The Social Network," she doesn't have a Facebook page
She told Hello magazine, "I was on Facebook until I caught myself being a psycho stalker. That's when I chose to stop."
6. She went to rehab for drug and alcohol addiction in 2007
Although her stint was brief, Dakota did complete a 30-day rehab program at the Visions Teen Treatment Center in Malibu in September of 2007.
7. She landed her role as Anastasia Steele by reading a long, sexually-explicit monologue from the Ingmar Bergman film "Persona"
She knew exactly what the filmmakers were looking for, and she more than delivered. Sure, it was an unusual piece for a reading, but there is nothing conventional when it comes to "Fifty Shades."
8. Dakota and her aunt had quite the experience in "21 Jump Street"
Dakota appeared in the big screen remake of "21 Jump Street" while her aunt Tracy Griffith had a cameo in the original television series in 1988.
9. "Fifty Shades" isn't her first leading role
Back in 2012, Dakota played a single mother with a 5-year-old daughter in the Fox show "Ben And Kate."
10. Dakota, apparently, has no shame
Not many people would have the courage to take on the role of Anastasia Steele but in an interview with Elle magazine she said, "I don't have any problem doing anything.
The secret is, I have no shame." Well, the secret's out my friend...
11. She thinks having famous parents is more boring than annoying
She told a reporter at Interview magazine, "It’s not necessarily annoying. I’ve come to understand the allure of that to other people, how it seems so interesting and different.
But for me it’s just my family, it’s the way I grew up and it’s my mom and my dad. It doesn’t really bother me because I get it, but sometimes it’s kind of a drag to talk about."
Top Photo Credit: WENN
