Dakota Johnson Drops Uncensored Curse Word Live on ‘Today’—Chris Evans Bursts Out Laughing as Craig Melvin Scrambles to Clean It Up

It was supposed to be a routine promotional interview—but Dakota Johnson had other plans.

During a live appearance on NBC’s Today show to promote her upcoming film Materialists, the Fifty Shades of Grey actress left audiences stunned and her co-hosts scrambling when she let an unfiltered curse word slip out on air. The spontaneous moment even caught seasoned host Craig Melvin off guard, prompting him to plead with producers to “clean that up” before the West Coast airing.

A Casual Interview Turns Unexpected

Sitting down with co-star Chris Evans, Johnson was discussing her character’s arc in Materialists, a new A24 romantic comedy also featuring Pedro Pascal, when things suddenly took a chaotic—but hilarious—turn.

Craig Melvin asked a light-hearted question about what would be a total dealbreaker if either of the stars were being set up by a real-life matchmaker. Evans, flashing his signature grin, quickly replied: “You gotta love dogs. That’s non-negotiable.”

Without missing a beat, Johnson leaned forward and offered her own answer: “Not being an a**hole.”

The moment landed like a lightning bolt. The studio burst into laughter, with Evans doubling over and calling it “succinct,” while Melvin looked straight at the camera and half-jokingly pleaded, “Okay, we’re gonna need to clean that up before it goes out West.”

He added with a chuckle, “But that’s a pretty firm non-negotiable.”

Viewers React—and So Does the Crew

Melvin moved swiftly to shift the conversation back to the film, but the damage (or brilliance) had already been done. The unscripted moment quickly made its way to social media, with fans praising Johnson for her candor and comedic timing. Clips of the exchange went viral within hours.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, sources at NBC say the control room was caught off guard. “It was a surprise, but hey—it’s live TV,” said one staffer. “Honestly, it was hilarious. The crew was cracking up.”

About the Film

Materialists follows the story of a successful young matchmaker navigating romantic chaos in New York City. Johnson’s character finds herself torn between two men: one who seems perfect on paper and an ex who still holds her heart. The film explores themes of love, ambition, and the blurry line between emotional and material desires.

Set for U.S. release by A24 on June 13, 2025, Materialists is already generating buzz. Early reviews have been positive—Rotten Tomatoes shows a 90% score from critics, and Metacritic gives it a respectable 77/100 based on 11 professional reviews.

A Viral Moment for the Books

As for Johnson’s on-air slip? Fans are loving the raw honesty.

“She just says what we’re all thinking,” wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter). Another chimed in, “Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson have incredible chemistry—even in chaos.”

It’s not the first time Johnson has made headlines for speaking her mind, and based on audience reactions, it likely won’t be the last. But one thing’s certain: whether she’s starring in a film or stealing a morning show spotlight, Dakota Johnson always knows how to make an impression.