Antonio Banderas and Dakota Johnson recently shared a sweet reunion in Málaga, Spain, where Antonio is directing a Spanish version of the ’70s musical They’re Playing Our Song at his theater, Teatro del Soho CaixaBank. Antonio, who was once married to Dakota’s mother Melanie Griffith, took to Instagram to share photos of their time together on and off the stage. The adorable snapshots captured their close bond and Antonio captioned the post, “Happiness: Dakota in Malaga!”
Despite Antonio and Melanie’s divorce in 2015 after 18 years of marriage, Antonio and Dakota have remained close. In fact, Dakota considers Antonio to be one of the most influential people in her life. At the Hollywood Film Awards in 2019, Dakota expressed her gratitude for her “bonus dad” and talked about how he has been a role model to her. She mentioned how she learned discipline and taking care of her body from him, and how much she admires his dedication and hard work.
Antonio, who has since moved back to Málaga and opened his theater, shared a special nickname Dakota has for him – “Paponio.” It’s a combination of “papa” (which means “daddy” in Spanish) and Antonio. This nickname reflects the close and loving relationship they share.
Their bond goes way back. Dakota had her first acting role in Antonio Banderas’ directorial debut, Crazy in Alabama, in 1999. This film starred her mother, Melanie Griffith, and gave Dakota an opportunity to work alongside her stepfather. Even before that, when Antonio was filming Evita in Budapest with Madonna in 1996, Dakota delivered an Easter basket to the pop star while visiting the set.
Their connection extends to the red carpet as well. Dakota attended the Academy Awards for the first time at the age of 10, accompanied by Antonio and her mother. And in 2019, Dakota presented an award to Antonio at the Hollywood Film Awards, where she emotionally spoke about the positive impact he had on their family. She described him as a vibrant, fun, and loving person who brought a whole new world of creativity and culture into their lives.
The love and appreciation between Antonio and Dakota is evident. At the same Hollywood Film Awards event, Antonio dedicated his award to Dakota and her sister Stella, expressing his joy at being called “papi” by Dakota and how much he loves it. The bond between them is strong and heartwarming.
Their reunion in Málaga served as a reminder of the wonderful years they spent together as a family. Antonio was touched by Dakota’s heartfelt speech at the awards ceremony and the surprise of it all. It reinforced the meaningful connection they had built over two decades.
Antonio Banderas and Dakota Johnson’s relationship transcends the boundaries of stepfamily. They are an example of a close and loving bond that has stood the test of time and continues to thrive. Their reunion in Spain was a joyful celebration of their connection and the impact they have had on each other’s lives.
