Well, here’s a plot twist you don’t see in every Hollywood breakup saga: Gwyneth Paltrow, queen of conscious uncoupling and all things Goop, is not letting Dakota Johnson out of her friendship circle just because Dakota and Chris Martin have called it quits.
According to a source who spoke to PEOPLE, Gwyneth “fully intends on maintaining that bond” with Dakota, breakup or no breakup.
Dakota and Chris, who were basically the poster couple for low-key celebrity romance (eight years, on and off, barely a red carpet in sight), are officially done and apparently, this time it “feels final”.
The pair were last seen together in Malibu in mid-May, and before that, they were holding hands in India. But now, it’s splitsville, and Dakota’s off doing press for her new film, Materialists, solo.
But back to Gwyneth, who, in classic Gwyneth fashion, is not about to let a little thing like her ex-husband’s breakup get in the way of a good friendship.
The Goop founder and Dakota have “grown close over the years”, with Gwyneth even considering Dakota “family”, according to the same PEOPLE source.
There’s “genuine mutual respect” there — both women grew up in the spotlight and have been navigating Hollywood since before TikTok was a thing, so they get each other.
If you’re wondering if this is all just PR fluff, Gwyneth has actually been pretty open about her affection for Dakota. She’s called her “an adorable, wonderful person” and said, “We’re actually very good friends. I love her so much,” during an Instagram Q&A last year, per Us Weekly.
And it’s not just Instagram love — these two have been spotted holding hands, hanging out at family dinners, and generally making the whole blended family thing look weirdly wholesome.
Dakota, for her part, has said she loves Gwyneth and Chris’s kids “like my life depends on it. With all my heart”, which is a pretty solid endorsement for step-parenting, even if the romance is over.
Gwyneth and Chris have been nailing the co-parenting game since they “consciously uncoupled” back in 2014, so it’s not like anyone’s new to unconventional family setups here.
So, in summary: Chris and Dakota are done, but Gwyneth is keeping Dakota on speed dial. No awkward ex-in-law vibes here. Hollywood, take notes.
Lead image: Getty Images
