Dakota Johnson Says BDSM Can Be "Chic" and "Luxurious," Is a National Hero
By Christopher Rosa. Photos: Getty Images.
I think we're all in agreement that Fifty Shades of Grey and its upcoming sequel, Fifty Shades Darker, aren't exactly the most accurate depictions of BDSM in pop culture. (Emotional manipulation is not a part of the program, people!) But don't blame the film's star, Dakota Johnson, for this. The actress actually has some very right-on views about BDSM (bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism), as evidenced in her recent chat with Vogue.
In the the interview, Johnson explains that she grew to admire the BDSM community as she started unpacking her character in the Fifty Shades series. (She plays the franchise's ingénue of sorts, Anastasia Steele, who begins a dominant/submissive relationship with the elusive, powerful, and rich Christian Grey.)
“First of all, there are some very chic avenues in BDSM,” Johnson told Vogue. “It can be very beautiful and tasteful, and the materials can be luxurious. It’s not like being on Hollywood Boulevard and walking by a ball-gag store." (The fact that Johnson used the words "chic" and "luxurious" to describe BDSM makes her a beloved national hero, in my eyes. She's the American patriot we all need but don't deserve.)
It gets better, though: Johnson topped off this A+ comment about the BDSM community with yet another hat tip.
"But what I admire is the bravery and the honesty of people who get down with it, who aren’t afraid to say that they need something a bit more in order to get off," she said. "America is still so sexually oppressed. Isn’t God’s gift to humans the orgasm?" Yes, Dakota Johnson. Yes, it is. (Well, the orgasm and the Big Mac, if we're being honest here.)
Real talk, though: It's refreshing to see such a big-time Hollywood star talk about BDSM so openly and positively! Our culture is slowly becoming more and more sex positive, but topics like BDSM and kinks still make people squirm—and they shouldn't! All consensual expressions of sexuality are normal, healthy, and valid—no matter what your proclivity.
Would y'all tar and feather me if I wrapped this up by saying, "Let's talk about sex, baby?" Yes? I'm deranged? Too cheesy for my own good? Should flee the country? Fair enough. Instead, I leave you with a GIF of Rihanna's "S&M" video to remind you of this: If BDSM is mainstream enough for pop radio, it's certainly mainstream enough for your brunch gossip.
This story originally appeared on Glamour.
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