Taylor Swift praises close friend Dakota Johnson in TIME 100 essay, calls her ‘real and timeless’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Taylor Swift is giving fans a rare glimpse into her private friendship with Dakota Johnson and it’s as heartfelt as you’d expect.

While the two have largely kept their bond out of the spotlight over the years, Swift recently opened up in a deeply personal way, offering a look at what makes the actress so special to her.

The singer shared her thoughts in an essay for Time, where Dakota was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2026.

Taylor Swift praises Dakota Johnson’s empathy and honesty

Swift didn’t hold back when talking about Johnson’s personality, especially her emotional depth.

“As her friend, I can vouch for her realness,” she wrote, before adding, “she’s also one of the most empathetic people I’ve ever known.”

For Swift, what stands out the most is Johnson’s honesty, something she believes is rare.

She described it as “refreshing honesty in a world of media-trained answers,” pointing out how naturally the actress expresses herself.

“Maybe it’s her sing-song vocal delivery, serenely answering questions with such frank candor it makes you feel like maybe this girl just... can’t lie?!” Swift wrote, capturing the unique charm she sees in her friend.

Dakota Johnson’s curiosity and creative drive stand out

Swift also highlighted what makes Johnson unique beyond her on-screen presence. According to her, the actress has an endless curiosity about people and life itself.

“She can’t stop asking people questions about their lives, endlessly curious about everyone else’s human experience,” Swift wrote.

That curiosity, she explained, extends into Johnson’s creative work as well.

“She can’t stop challenging herself, taking newer and bolder risks like building her production company TeaTime Pictures,” Swift added.

A friendship that has quietly grown over the years

Even though the two stars rarely speak publicly about each other, their friendship is not new.

They’ve been spotted together multiple times since 2016, often enjoying low-key outings with close friends.

Over the years, they’ve shared dinners and hangouts with a tight-knit circle that includes Cara Delevingne, Suki Waterhouse and Zoë Kravitz.

While those moments may not always make headlines, they’ve clearly helped build a strong and lasting connection.

A rare but memorable public moment

While their friendship mostly stays behind the scenes, Johnson once gave a small glimpse of their dynamic during her ‘Saturday Night Live’ hosting gig in 2024.

During her opening monologue, she shared a photo from the show’s 40th anniversary special, where she was seated near Swift and then-newly-elected President Donald Trump.

With her signature dry humor, Johnson joked, “It’s just crazy to be standing so close to someone who would become the most powerful person in America,” as the camera turned to Swift, drawing laughs from the audience.

In the end, Swift’s essay paints a picture of someone she deeply respects, not just for her talent, but for who she is as a person.

“Captivating in front of the screen and inquisitive behind it,” Swift wrote, summing up Johnson in a way that feels both personal and sincere.

“Her unfailing truthfulness helps to shape her e storytelling into art that feels as real and timeless as she is.”