Dakota Johnson and Role Model Reportedly Split After Their Low Key Romance

Dakota Johnson and musician Role Model have reportedly ended their relationship less than a year after they were first romantically linked. The breakup appears to have happened quietly, much like the relationship itself.

A source told PEOPLE on August 19 that Johnson, 36, and Role Model, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, 29, had split “a while ago.” Neither star has publicly addressed the reported breakup or explained what led them to go their separate ways.

Their Romance Began Quietly in Late 2025

Johnson and Pillsbury first sparked dating speculation in December 2025 when they were photographed together during a candlelit dinner with friends.

At the time, reports described the pair as looking particularly close, although neither confirmed that they were officially dating. The timing attracted additional attention because Johnson had only recently emerged from her long relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Johnson and Martin had been together on and off since 2017 and were reportedly engaged before their relationship ended in June 2025. A source later told PEOPLE that Johnson had begun slowly dating again and appeared happy following the breakup.

Role Model had previously been in a high-profile relationship with internet personality Emma Chamberlain. They dated from 2020 until 2023.

New Year’s Eve Fueled the Dating Rumors

The speculation surrounding Johnson and Pillsbury intensified as 2025 came to an end.

Pillsbury reportedly attended Johnson’s New Year’s Eve celebration, where a source said the two spent much of the night together. They were reportedly seen kissing, dancing and showing affection toward each other.

Johnson’s mother, actress Melanie Griffith, was also reportedly present at the gathering and appeared comfortable around the musician.

More public outings followed during the early months of 2026, including dinners around Los Angeles.

Yet Johnson and Pillsbury avoided making a formal public announcement about their relationship, maintaining a relatively private approach even as interest in the pairing grew.

Their Relationship Initially Appeared Casual

There were conflicting reports about exactly how serious the romance had become.

In March, a source told PEOPLE that Johnson wasn’t rushing into another committed relationship following her breakup with Martin. At the time, her connection with Pillsbury was characterized as casual, with Johnson reportedly enjoying dating without putting pressure on herself to settle into another major relationship immediately.

Things appeared to change by April.

After Johnson and Pillsbury were photographed kissing following an evening with friends in Los Angeles, a source told PEOPLE that their relationship had developed into “more than a fling.” The insider said the two had been seeing each other since late 2025 and were approaching the relationship at a pace that worked for both of them.

They were last publicly spotted together in April, according to subsequent reports.

Dakota Johnson Even Appeared on His Music

Their connection extended beyond dinners and public sightings.

Johnson contributed a spoken-word part to “Love I You,” a song from Role Model’s third studio album, Chuck Timely & the Hourglass. Pillsbury later discussed how the collaboration happened, explaining that Johnson volunteered to record the part while they were working in the studio.

He praised what she contributed to the recording and suggested that her performance worked better than expected.

That collaboration provided one of the relatively rare public connections between the two during their otherwise private relationship.

Johnson Was Coming Out of a Much Longer Relationship

The romance with Pillsbury marked a significant new chapter for Johnson because it followed her lengthy relationship with Martin.

Johnson and the Coldplay singer were first linked in 2017. Their relationship lasted for years, although reports frequently described the romance as having periods when they were together and apart.

Their final breakup was reported in June 2025. Sources described the split as definitive after years of attempts to make the relationship work.

By November 2025, Johnson was reportedly ready to explore dating again. An insider said she seemed happier and more at peace after finally moving forward from the relationship.

Her connection with Pillsbury emerged publicly the following month.

Neither Has Explained Why the Romance Ended

For now, very little is known about what caused Johnson and Pillsbury to reportedly separate.

PEOPLE’s source said only that the relationship ended “a while ago,” without giving a specific breakup date or explanation. Representatives for the stars had not publicly provided further details when the breakup was reported.

That makes speculation about work schedules, age differences or other possible reasons for the split unsupported.

Johnson currently has several acting projects ahead, including Verity, alongside Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett. Pillsbury, meanwhile, continues building his music career following the release of his latest album.

For a relationship that unfolded largely outside official announcements, its reported ending appears to have followed the same pattern. Johnson and Pillsbury quietly went from dating rumors to a seemingly serious romance and have now reportedly gone their separate ways without publicly discussing the breakup.

Featured Image: Shutterstock, instagram.com/rolemodel