“Having kids is probably more important to me than anything”: Dakota Fanning opens up on life and acting

Dakota Fanning discussed her career and personal life, including being a mother, in a recent interview with PORTER (Net-A-Porter) magazine published on April 1, 2024.

“Having kids is probably more important to me than anything, even being an actor. If somebody said I had to choose, I would choose having kids. I’m one of those people who has always felt that pull.”

The 30-year-old also mentioned that she was uncertain about when she would choose to settle down and whether she would continue pursuing acting after starting a family. Nonetheless, she expressed that she was currently focused on making the most of her adventures.

Dakota Fanning Opens Up About Future Plans, Career Success, and Personal Goals in Candid Interview

During her recent conversation with PORTER, Dakota Fanning emphasized that her priority is having children rather than focusing on her career. The 30-year-old also reflected on her evolution as an actress, remarking:

“Being an actor is a huge part of my identity. I don’t really know who I would be without it. But I also have a desire to set up my life and career so that I always have a choice… I still have these check-ins with myself to make sure I’m enjoying it. If you can still find the light in moments that are tough, then you’re still enjoying it.”

Dakota went on to say:

“I’m trying to push myself to keep saying yes to things that make me uncomfortable, to keep going to places for long periods of time that maybe I’m scared to do because — God willing — one day, it won’t be as easy.”

Despite starting her career as a child actress, Dakota Fanning shared with the magazine that she is now taking a more active role in advocating for herself as an adult. She also expressed her gratitude for having grown up in a time before social media, despite constantly being in the public eye.

When discussing the difficulties of being a young artist in the present day, she brought up:

“It’s such a different experience. I hate to reduce it to social media, but that’s the biggest societal difference – and I think we’re still figuring out how to use it in the right way. I’m grateful I didn’t have to contend with that; there was already enough going on.”

The star of Equalizer 3 stated that she now utilizes social media in an entertaining manner and avoids taking herself too seriously. She expressed her aim to find a happy medium between oversharing and not sharing enough.

In addition, Dakota Fanning recounted her time filming the Netflix thriller series Ripley in Europe, particularly during the pandemic. She described the challenges of being separated from her loved ones for months while working on the project.

“I like being alone and I don’t mind getting acclimated to a place, but I felt really lonely in a specific way. I felt like I was trapped. I’m sure other people can relate… It wasn’t a unique experience, but I definitely went through a rollercoaster on this.”

Despite the challenges, the actress expressed that she feels a sense of fulfillment and contentment after watching the eight-part, black-and-white series. Describing the experience as unique, Dakota acknowledged the months of dedicated self-reflection as being ultimately worthwhile.

In the interview, the actress from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood also reflected on her 30th birthday, which fell on February 23. She described it as an unforgettable “party”and shared that her late twenties had been a challenging time, but turning 30 brought a sense of relief. She expressed how it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“I feel happier and more conscious of what I have, rather than what I don’t have. I know who I am, and the people who know me, know who I am, and that’s really all that matters. But there is something about saying that at 30 that feels different to saying it at 28.”

Despite not having started a family of her own, Dakota Fanning is still very involved with her loved ones. She has a goddaughter and maintains a close relationship with her younger sister, actress Elle Fanning. The two sisters are often seen attending red-carpet events together, such as the New York Tastemakers in March 2024, where Dakota brought Elle along to help promote Ripley.

Similarly, when Elle made her first appearance on Broadway in December 2023 with the play Appropriate, Dakota was in the front row on opening night, showing her support for her sister. The two of them also collaborate on a podcast named One Click and run a production company called Lewellen Pictures. In addition, Dakota Fanning stated:

“It’s been fun to move into podcasts and documentaries, to focus on growing a diverse portfolio of projects as much as growing our acting careers.”

Upon being questioned about the possibility of appearing on-screen with her sister, Dakota Fanning expressed that the project must meet certain criteria as her family values “firsts”and sees them as significant events. She emphasized her desire to prioritize important aspects of life and not let her profession consume her, causing her to miss out on “everything else.”