Dakota Johnson and Machine Gun Kelly are reportedly spending time together months after first connecting at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, according to an exclusive source report from PEOPLE. The pair were photographed together in New York City on September 11, fueling speculation about the nature of their relationship.
A source close to MGK told PEOPLE that the two “have been hanging out and seeing each other under the radar for months now” after they “hit it off” at Swift and Kelce‘s July wedding.
Neither Dakota Johnson nor Machine Gun Kelly has publicly confirmed or labeled the relationship. The reporting relies on anonymous sources, and both celebrities have remained silent on the speculation.
Are Dakota Johnson and MGK Dating?
There is no official confirmation that Dakota Johnson and Machine Gun Kelly are dating. What exists is a source-reported claim from PEOPLE that the pair are “spending time together” and that their connection has evolved from friendship into something more romantic.
Here‘s what is confirmed versus reported:
Reported by sources: A source close to MGK told PEOPLE the two “started off as friends and were texting often” after meeting at the wedding, and that “now they’re spending more time together.” The same source described the situation as “a very new start,” adding that they are “smitten with each other right now.” A second source described things between them as “super casual.”
Publicly documented: Johnson and MGK were both confirmed guests at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden. They were photographed arriving at Swift’s Tribeca apartment on September 11.
Not publicly confirmed: Neither Johnson nor MGK has commented on the relationship. No label has been placed on it. No exclusivity, engagement, or future plans have been announced.
The distinction matters. What PEOPLE has reported is a source‘s characterization of a relationship, not a public confirmation from either individual.
How Did Dakota Johnson and MGK Meet?
According to PEOPLE’s source, the two “had met before, but hit it off at” Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding in July. The wedding took place on July 3, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with approximately 1,000 guests in attendance.
Both Johnson and MGK were among the celebrity guests at the event. Johnson is a longtime friend of Swift‘s, while MGK and Travis Kelce have known each other for years, having both grown up near Cleveland, Ohio.
The source told PEOPLE that after the wedding, they “started off as friends and were texting often” before their connection reportedly became more romantic in recent months.
It is important to note that no reliable source has stated that Taylor Swift personally introduced them. Reports describing Swift as a “matchmaker” have not been confirmed.
Dakota Johnson and MGK’s New York City Outing
On September 11, Dakota Johnson was photographed arriving at Taylor Swift‘s Tribeca apartment in a black SUV. According to TMZ, she was assisted by members of Swift’s team. Approximately 30 minutes later, Machine Gun Kelly arrived and was reportedly escorted inside by Johnson‘s security.
The two reportedly spent several hours at the apartment before leaving together and heading to a nearby hotel, where they reportedly stayed overnight.
A source told Page Six that Swift “has let friends use her NYC properties before,” and that “Dakota and Colson wanted privacy, so they headed to her apartment.” Taylor Swift was reportedly out of town at the time, in Kansas City for Travis Kelce’s season opener.
The pair also reportedly had dinner at Estela, a Michelin-starred restaurant, before returning to the apartment.
What the sighting establishes: Johnson and MGK were in the same place at the same time. What it does not establish: the nature of their relationship. Being photographed together does not independently prove a romantic connection.
How Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s Wedding Connects Dakota Johnson and MGK
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married on July 3, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. The wedding was a major celebrity event, with guests including Bradley Cooper, Zoë Kravitz, Hugh Grant, Gigi Hadid, and many others.
Both Dakota Johnson and Machine Gun Kelly were confirmed attendees. According to PEOPLE’s source, this is where the two “hit it off” after having previously met.
The wedding connection is factual: they were both there. The claim that they connected there is source-reported. The claim that Taylor Swift played a role in encouraging the relationship is separate and has been attributed to anonymous sources in tabloid publications, not confirmed by Swift‘s representatives.
Who Is Dakota Johnson?
Dakota Johnson is a 36-year-old American actress. She is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.
Her major film credits include:
- The Social Network (2010) — Her early breakout role
- Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy (2015–2018) — Her most commercially prominent role as Anastasia Steele
- Suspiria (2018) — A horror remake directed by Luca Guadagnino
- The Lost Daughter (2021) — Maggie Gyllenhaal‘s directorial debut
- Madame Web (2024) — A Sony/Marvel superhero film
- Materialists (2025) — A romantic comedy directed by Celine Song
- Verity (upcoming) — An adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel
Johnson has long maintained a relatively private personal life despite her fame. She was previously in a long-term relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin from 2017 to 2025, and was more recently linked to musician Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury) before their reported split in August 2026.
Who Is Machine Gun Kelly?
Machine Gun Kelly is the stage name of Colson Baker, a 36-year-old American musician and actor.
His music career spans multiple genres, transitioning from rap to pop-punk with his 2020 album Tickets to My Downfall, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His popular songs include “Bad Things” (with Camila Cabello), “Bloody Valentine,” and “Emo Girl.”
As an actor, he has appeared in films including The Dirt (2019), Project Power (2020), and Midnight in the Switchgrass (2021).
MGK was previously in a long-term, on-and-off relationship with actress Megan Fox. The two became engaged in 2022 but never married, and their relationship ended in 2024. They share a daughter, Saga, born in March 2025.
Dakota Johnson‘s Relationship History
Chris Martin (2017–2025): Johnson and the Coldplay frontman were in a long-term relationship for approximately eight years. They were briefly engaged before their relationship ended in June 2025. Johnson maintained a notably private approach to this relationship, rarely discussing it publicly or posting about it on social media.
Role Model / Tucker Pillsbury (2025–2026): Johnson was first linked to the singer-songwriter in late 2025. They were photographed together publicly on December 29, 2025, and last seen together in April 2026. Reports of their split emerged in August 2026, with a source telling PEOPLE the relationship had ended “a while ago.”
Machine Gun Kelly’s Relationship History
Megan Fox (2020–2024): MGK and Megan Fox began dating in 2020 after meeting on the set of Midnight in the Switchgrass. They announced their engagement in January 2022. The relationship was characterized by public displays of affection and occasional breakups. Fox announced the end of the engagement in March 2024.
Despite the breakup, the two welcomed a daughter, Saga Blade Fox-Baker, in March 2025. Fox has three other children from her previous relationship with Brian Austin Green. MGK also has a daughter, Casie, from a previous relationship.
Dakota Johnson and MGK Relationship Timeline
| Date/Period | What Happened |
|---|---|
| July 3, 2026 | Both attend Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding at Madison Square Garden |
| After the wedding | Source says they started as friends and texted often |
| Following months | Source says their connection became romantic; they were “spending more time together” |
| September 11, 2026 | Photographed arriving at Swift’s Tribeca apartment; later seen at a hotel |
| September 12, 2026 | Photos of the outing published; dating rumors intensify |
| Current status | Relationship not publicly labeled or confirmed by either person |
What We Know From the Latest Report
The PEOPLE report cites a source close to MGK who provided the following information:
- The two have been “hanging out and seeing each other under the radar for months”
- They “had met before, but hit it off at” the wedding
- They “started off as friends and were texting often”
- “Now they‘re spending more time together”
- “It’s a very new start, but they‘re smitten with each other right now”
- MGK “is very into” Johnson and has told friends she’s “amazing”
- “They haven‘t put a label on their relationship yet”
- A second source described things as “super casual”
All of these claims are attributed to anonymous sources. They are not confirmed by either celebrity.
What Dakota Johnson and MGK Have Not Confirmed
Neither Dakota Johnson nor Machine Gun Kelly has publicly commented on the relationship reports. Specifically, the following remain unconfirmed:
- An official relationship label
- Dating status
- Exclusivity
- Engagement
- Living together
- Future plans
- Wedding plans
Representatives for both Johnson and MGK have not returned requests for comment from multiple outlets.
What Dakota Johnson and MGK Are Working On
Dakota Johnson has several projects in various stages of development. She recently starred in Materialists (2025) and is attached to Verity, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover‘s bestselling novel. She has also been linked to Three Incestuous Sisters, though specific production timelines for these projects have not been confirmed.
Machine Gun Kelly was reportedly wrapping up The Lost Americana Tour at the time of the relationship reports. His most recent album was 2024’s Genre: Sadboy, a collaboration with Trippie Redd.
Why Dakota Johnson and MGK’s Reported Romance Is Getting Attention
The story has generated significant coverage for several reasons:
- Both are high-profile figures with established careers in entertainment
- The Taylor Swift connection adds a layer of pop-culture interest, given Swift‘s fame and the wedding’s celebrity guest list
- Both recently exited long-term relationships — Johnson from Chris Martin and Role Model, MGK from Megan Fox
- The pairing is unexpected to many observers, given their different public personas
- Neither has confirmed the relationship, leaving room for continued speculation
The coverage should not be interpreted as evidence of anything beyond what sources have reported.
Did Taylor Swift Introduce Dakota Johnson and MGK?
There is no confirmation that Taylor Swift introduced Dakota Johnson and Machine Gun Kelly, or that she played any active role in their connection.
What is confirmed: Both were guests at Swift‘s wedding. What is reported: They “hit it off” there. What is not confirmed: That Swift personally introduced them, encouraged the relationship, or acted as a matchmaker.
Reports claiming Swift was “actively encouraging” the relationship have come from anonymous sources in tabloid publications and have not been confirmed by Swift’s representatives.
Similarly, while the pair reportedly spent time at Swift‘s apartment, this does not mean Swift was present. Multiple reports state she was out of town.
What Public Sightings Can—and Can’t—Tell Us
Public sightings of celebrities establish one thing: two people were in the same location at the same time. They do not independently prove:
- The nature of a relationship
- Whether two people are romantically involved
- The depth or seriousness of any connection
- What was discussed or happened privately
In this case, the photos of Johnson and MGK arriving at an apartment and later a hotel confirm that they spent time together. The characterization of that time as a “date” or evidence of a “romance” comes from sources, not from the images themselves.
Fact-Check Table
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Dakota Johnson and MGK have spent time together | Reported by PEOPLE source |
| They met at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding | Reported; both confirmed attendees |
| They initially connected as friends | Source-reported |
| Their relationship has reportedly become romantic | Source-reported |
| They are officially dating | Not publicly confirmed |
| They are engaged | Not confirmed |
| Taylor Swift introduced them | Not independently confirmed |
| Taylor Swift was present during their NYC outing | Not confirmed; reports say she was out of town |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Dakota Johnson and MGK dating?
There is no public confirmation that they are dating. A source told PEOPLE they are “spending time together” and that their connection has “reportedly become romantic,” but neither Johnson nor MGK has labeled or confirmed the relationship.
How did Dakota Johnson and Machine Gun Kelly meet?
According to PEOPLE’s source, they had met before but “hit it off” at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding in July 2026.
Did Dakota Johnson and MGK meet at Taylor Swift’s wedding?
Both were confirmed guests at the wedding, and a source says this is where they “hit it off.” However, the source also noted they had met previously.
What happened between Dakota Johnson and MGK in New York?
They were photographed arriving at Taylor Swift‘s Tribeca apartment on September 11, spending several hours there, and later going to a hotel. Taylor Swift was reportedly out of town.
Did Taylor Swift introduce Dakota Johnson to MGK?
There is no confirmation that Swift introduced them or played any role in their connection. They were both guests at her wedding, which is where they reportedly connected.
Who is Dakota Johnson dating in 2026?
There is no confirmed answer. She was previously linked to Role Model until their reported split in August 2026. She is now reportedly spending time with MGK, but neither has confirmed a relationship.
Who is Machine Gun Kelly dating in 2026?
There is no confirmed answer. He was previously in a long-term relationship with Megan Fox, which ended in 2024. He is now reportedly spending time with Dakota Johnson, but neither has confirmed a relationship.
Was Taylor Swift at Dakota Johnson and MGK’s NYC outing?
No. Multiple reports state Swift was out of town at the time, in Kansas City for Travis Kelce‘s season opener.
What is Dakota Johnson known for?
She is an actress known for Fifty Shades of Grey, The Social Network, Suspiria, The Lost Daughter, Madame Web, and Materialists.
What is Machine Gun Kelly’s real name?
His real name is Colson Baker.
Were Dakota Johnson and MGK friends first?
A source told PEOPLE they “started off as friends and were texting often” before their connection reportedly became romantic.
Have Dakota Johnson or MGK confirmed their relationship?
No. Neither has publicly commented on the relationship reports. Representatives for both have not returned requests for comment.