50 Shades of Cringe: Dakota Johnson's tense interview with Ellen DeGeneres

The moment a jovial holiday chat between Dakota Johnson and Ellen DeGeneres turned sour has quickly gone viral for its cringe-factor. 

The Ellen Show host made an unwitting faux pas when she asked Johnson about her 30th birthday party, adding: "I wasn't invited". 

"Actually, no, that's not the truth, Ellen. You were invited," Johnson replied tersely.

While the interaction initially had the air of a pre-planned schtick about it, things only seemed to get tenser as the conversation went on.  

"You gave me a bunch of s**t last year about not inviting you, but I didn't know you wanted to be invited," Johnson told DeGeneres. "I didn't know if you liked me." 

"Of course I like you! You knew I liked you…" the talk show host countered, prompting an awkward pause from Johnson. 

"I did invite you and you didn't come," Johnson replied. 

"This time you invited me? Are you sure? I don't think so," said DeGeneres. 

"Ask everybody," Johnson said. "Ask Jonathan, your producer."

Eventually, some of The Ellen Show staff chimed in from off-camera, telling the host she had been "out of town" for the party. 

"I really didn't remember that until just now," DeGeneres responded sheepishly. 

Not long after, it was Johnson's turn in the hot seat, as she let slip that Tig Notaro, who performed at her party, was her favourite comedian. 

"Other than you!" Johnson told Ellen, who looked crestfallen. 

"I'm sorry!" 

Johnson attempted to laugh off the awkwardness by pretending to excuse herself from the stage before the interview resumed.