Coldplay's Chris Martin and actress Dakota Johnson break up after 8 years. Two major conflicts emerged in relationship, say reports

After nearly eight years together, Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin have called it quits, ending one of Hollywood’s most low-key yet enduring relationships. Though their bond appeared stable on the surface, especially after consistently deflecting breakup rumors, multiple sources have now confirmed to People.com that the couple has decided to part ways.

The relationship between the 35-year-old Fifty Shades of Grey actress and the 48-year-old Coldplay frontman reportedly faced long-standing issues that ultimately became too difficult to navigate. One recurring concern, according to insiders, was their 13-year age gap, which reportedly affected their views on future life plans—particularly the subject of having their children, the US Sun reported..

While Dakota had voiced a desire to possibly start a family, Chris, who already shares two grown children with ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, seemed content with that chapter of his life being behind him, the report said. Though the two made efforts to reconcile their differences, the topic remained a sticking point.

Despite these underlying tensions, the couple was often seen spending time together in public, projecting a united front. They were recently spotted soaking up the California sun in Malibu just before Dakota jetted off to France for the Cannes International Film Festival. In these outings, the pair always appeared relaxed and comfortable around each other, with casual wardrobes and easy smiles. Earlier in January 2025, they were photographed together in Mumbai while Coldplay was on tour, further fueling speculation that things were going well between them.

Chris Martin has been candid in past interviews about his admiration for Dakota, referring to her as one of his closest companions alongside his children, bandmates, and longtime manager. Still, he had also been noticeably private when it came to the deeper aspects of their romantic life, stating that their love was deeply important to him but not something he felt entirely comfortable discussing in the media.

The two first sparked dating rumors back in the fall of 2017, making their first public appearance together in early 2018. In the years that followed, they were often seen at family gatherings and private events, occasionally sparking engagement rumors, especially in 2020.

As the news of their separation circulates, many have turned their attention to Chris Martin’s close co-parenting relationship with Gwyneth Paltrow, with whom he shares daughter Apple and son Moses. Paltrow continues to publicly support Martin, having recently shared a heartfelt birthday message on Instagram that featured tender moments between Martin and their children.

Martin and Paltrow famously coined the phrase “conscious uncoupling” when they announced their separation in 2014 after over ten years of marriage. Since then, both have redefined what it means to be ex-partners and co-parents, frequently praising each other in public and maintaining a close-knit family dynamic. Paltrow, now married to producer Brad Falchuk, has spoken openly about how their family evolved after divorce. She’s often emphasized that the structure of a family doesn’t have to dissolve after separation—it can be reimagined in healthier, more sustainable ways.

While the couple's separation may come as a disappointment to fans who admired their quiet bond, those close to them say the breakup was thoughtful and mutual. They shared nearly a decade of companionship marked by love, challenges, and growth—and even in their parting, they seem to have preserved the respect that defined their relationship from the beginning.