The glamorous red carpet of the TRCA Film Festival in New York City turned into the scene of an unexpected showdown on Monday evening.
Actress Dakota Johnson, looking stunning in a sheer, slinky blue dress, faced a sudden gust of wind that threatened to expose more than she intended. However, rather than being fazed by the near wardrobe malfunction, Johnson turned the tables on a certain royal who had reportedly criticized her fashion choice.
It all began when the 34-year-old "Fifty Shades of Grey" star graced the red carpet for the premiere of her latest film, "Dauto." As she posed for photographers, the wind whipped up her skirt, causing it to billow precariously. Ever the professional, Johnson laughed off the near mishap and continued posing, unfazed. However, sources claim that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who was in attendance, was less amused. Allegedly, Meghan was overheard muttering that Johnson's dress was "absolutely disgraceful" and that she "looked like a commoner."
Dakota Johnson, born and raised in Texas, was not about to let such a scathing insult slide. She waited for her moment and confronted the Duchess head-on. "So, I hear you had a few choice words about my dress tonight," Johnson said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she approached Meghan. "Care to enlighten me on what exactly was so disgraceful about it?"
Caught off guard, Meghan stammered for a moment before regaining her composure. "Well, I, uh, just thought it was rather inappropriate given the nature of the event," Meghan replied, her tone condescending.
Johnson, however, was having none of it. "Inappropriate? Honey, this is a film festival, not some stuffy royal garden party," she retorted, her eyes narrowing. "The red carpet is for making a statement, not for trying to uphold some outdated sense of propriety."
The exchange only escalated from there, with the two women trading barbs and insults as onlookers watched in stunned silence. Johnson's sharp tongue and unwillingness to back down caught the Duchess off guard, putting her on the defensive. "Really, Meghan, what's your problem? Afraid I'm going to outshine you in this little getup?" Johnson taunted, gesturing to her dress. "Because let me tell you, I don't need some holier-than-thou royal to tell me how to dress."
Meghan, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger, attempted to regain the upper hand. "How dare you speak to me in that manner! I am a member of the British royal family, and you will show me the respect I deserve," she snapped.
Johnson was undeterred. "Respect? Sorry, sweetheart, but you lost that the moment you decided to call me a 'commoner' in front of everyone," she shot back. "If you want respect, you're going to have to earn it, just like the rest of us."
The war of words continued for several minutes, with neither woman willing to back down. Onlookers, including fellow celebrities and members of the media, watched with a mix of amusement and discomfort, unsure of how to intervene. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Duchess stormed off, leaving Johnson standing triumphant on the red carpet. Clearly unbothered by the encounter, Johnson shrugged and continued with her evening, basking in the glow of her unexpected victory.
"I've never been one to back down from a fight, especially when it comes to defending my right to express myself," Johnson said in a later interview. "Meghan might be a royal, but at the end of the day, she's just another person, and she doesn't get to dictate how I dress or how I live my life."
The incident has since sparked widespread debate on social media. Some praised Johnson for her bold and unapologetic stance. "Dakota Johnson stood her ground and gave Meghan Markle a much-needed reality check," wrote one Twitter user. "Good for her for not letting the royal title intimidate her." However, others criticized Johnson for her perceived disrespect towards the Duchess. "Regardless of one's personal opinions, there's a certain level of respect that should be afforded to members of the royal family," commented another user. "Dakota Johnson's actions were nothing short of disrespectful and childish."
The confrontation between Dakota Johnson and Meghan Markle has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the TRCA Film Festival, becoming one of the most talked-about moments of the event. Whether one views Johnson's actions as empowering or disrespectful, the incident has certainly highlighted the ongoing tensions between celebrity culture and royal tradition.
