Last week, Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson – who first got together in 2017 – were photographed frolicking on a beach in the Hamptons, a picture of summer romance. Classic A-list couple behaviour, you could say, if it wasn’t for rumours that the Coldplay singer and Fifty Shades Of Grey actress had split several weeks ago.
At the time, sources told Grazia the couple were merely taking a breather – but clearly that is now firmly over thanks, in part, to the support of Chris’s ex, Gwyneth Paltrow, who gave her vital seal of approval by joining them on a second beach visit mere days later.
Reports of a split first emerged in July, but neither Chris nor Dakota’s teams officially confirmed the news. ‘It was more a period of space while they reflected on what was best for each of them and worked through some issues,’ our source says of the truth behind the supposed break-up. Those issues had apparently been sparked by intense speculation within their circle of friends that they were heading for marriage. ‘There was so much talk about an engagement, but Chris wasn’t ready to commit,’ the source adds. ‘It freaked him out when he was asked by friends if they were engaged yet.’ Indeed, when the pair were snapped at a party decorated with pink and blue balloons, there was mass speculation that they had hosted a gender reveal event for a surprise baby.
Additionally, they were said to be struggling with the presence of Gwyneth: she and Chris are still incredibly close and socialise together regularly, as well as co-parenting their two children, Apple and Moses, and Dakota was said to be increasingly uncomfortable with the ‘invisible hold’ Gwyneth has over Chris. These issues took the couple to breaking point and culminated in Chris instigating some time apart. He spent that time in the UK and partying at Glastonbury, while Dakota filmed comedy Covers in LA.
So, what prompted a reconciliation? Sources tell Grazia that Chris got back in touch last month to suggest catching up over dinner. ‘Dakota took him up on the offer,’ the source says. ‘And the old feelings came flooding back when they met.’ The reunion has earned the support of Gwyneth, with a source saying she’s thrilled the couple are back on track. ‘She was very supportive and respectful of Chris’s decision to take a step back’, they add. ‘But when he asked her for advice, she didn’t hesitate to suggest that he should try to make things work, telling him to search his feelings and ask himself if he wanted to go through life without Dakota in it.’
The day out at the beach is not the first time the quartet have spent time together. Dakota and Chris joined Gwyneth and Brad in the Maldives over Christmas, staying through to New Year’s Day on what they called their ‘family-moon’. Gwyneth has become fond of Dakota, despite her initial reticence, and was also photographed at dinner with her back in April. Meanwhile, Apple was beginning to spend more time with her. ‘Over time, Gwyneth’s grown to really respect Dakota,’ an insider says. ‘She loves what a positive influence she is on Chris.’
If Dakota still feels any insecurity over the continuing presence of her boyfriend’s ex-wife, she didn’t show it last week. It will also have helped that Gwyneth’s own relationship has now moved to the next level. While she married TV producer Brad Falchuk last year, they had yet to move in together into a shared home in LA. Now, that’s changed: ‘We’re moving in together this month,’ she revealed in a recent interview. ‘We took a year to let everybody take it in and let the dust settle. I adore my husband. He’s brilliant, deeply kind and a real equal, too. He pushes me in the best ways. I really like being married. It’s fun.’
But while Gwyneth’s happily settled, our source reveals that Chris and Dakota have agreed to take things at their own pace. ‘They’ve decided to take it one step at a time and pick things up again romance- wise, but not put too much pressure on themselves. ‘They’re happy just having fun together and going with the flow.'
Read more: All the most Goop-esque things on Poosh...
All Of The Most Goop-Esque Things On Poosh - Grazia (Slider)
1 of 61. Matcha Pancakes
When Gwyneth extolled the virtues of a Gluten-Free diet in the fledgling GOOP days it was widely ridiculed. But now a gluten-free lifestyle is leading the charges of the wellness trend along with veganism and flexitarianism (the vagina-steaming never really took on in the same way), while we're not quite sure how we feel about green pancakes - if there's anything GOOP taught us it's not to dismiss the power of a food fad. Plus they actually look quite good...
2 of 62. Mindful Walking
'Why not drink your morning coffee and go for a little stroll down the road or in a park, taking a moment to think about what you can see, smell, and taste? That daily connection to nature will help you feel more mindful and, at the same time, you will benefit from some extra vitamin D.' - yes, this snippet of advice does have a tinge of Pippatips about it - but GOOP incontestably rules the mindfulness roost (Gwyneth, obviously has been on it for ages - from mindful parenting to how to mindfully disconnect from technology). In the same article, entitled 'Daily Habits To Lead A More Mindful Life' Poosh also encourages a 'gratitude diary' and a 'happiness workout'. Gratitude diaries I could get on board with - but in London, it has to be said that maybe we're ever-so-slightly less convinced about the breathing in the sights, smells and tastes.
3 of 63. Organic Bedding
In the same style as the 'if a tree falls in a wood question' - if an 'essential' home product doesn't cost upwards of $400, is it even on GOOP? Poosh appears to have taken note - and swears by 'updating you bedroom' with organic bedding 'Follow Kourt's lead and swap your bedding for organic brands that are free of chemicals.' If you'd like to truly sleep like Kourtney though you'll have to go for a Legna-branded duvet set - as the site states: 'Kourt uses Legna on all beds in her home.' ($97 for a pillowcase anyone?).
4 of 64. Boob Exercises
Ok - it might not quite be inserting jade eggs into your vagina a-la-Gwyneth. Kourtney's (slightly more PG) tips for maintaining your womanly parts include regular boob exercises of chest flies and push ups (all in the name of 'how to defeat gravity').
5 of 65. Organic No-Applicator Tampons
Something we didn't realise existed until Poosh enlightened us? Organic no-applicator tampons. Kourtney's preferred brand are Naturacare which retail at a more-budget-friendly-than-expected £8.69 for a box of 20. Unsurprisingly planet-friendly tampons are something GOOP hopped on way before the Kardashians. Gwyneth favours She - a brand of nontoxic and biodegradable tampons which also happen to be Instagram-friendly (erm - just what we needed?). On the website she enthuses 'But we have to admit that we first tried these because we were utterly dazzled by the visuals. The palm-frond-printed box is so pretty, we feel not just comfortable adding it to the bathroom-shelf landscape/décor but thrilled.'
6 of 66. Louis Vuitton Dinner Party Gifts
Taking a lukewarm bottle of Cloudy Bay to a dinner party, according to Poosh is not the done thing. Helpfully though, Kourtney has some alternative suggestions: 'Rather than opting for a traditional hostess gift, shop outside the box and go the extra mile with something a bit more thoughtful.' she enthuses 'Another unique idea is an interactive gift like these sleek (and stylish) Louis Vuitton playing cards' (a snip for $485). GOOP choices are, of course, similarly eclectic: next time why not ditch the wine and go with $72 floral scissors (on another note - what are these?) or a wellness oil kit. Just what every dinner party needs?