Key Takeaways
- Zooey Deschanel details her extensive holiday decorating traditions and family dynamics.
- She discusses her early career, including her 'Elf' casting and the impact of her artistic upbringing.
- Deschanel reflects on childhood bullying and its long-term influence on her parenting approach.
- She critiques the 'manic pixie dream girl' label and discusses her 'New Girl' role.
- Deschanel opens up about balancing motherhood with her career and her surprise engagement journey.
- She discusses her positive approach to divorce and her new holiday rom-com about a co-parented dog.
Deep Dive
- Deschanel identifies as a holiday traditionalist, enjoying family time, caroling, and extensive decorating, contrasting her father's Quaker background.
- Her holiday decorating strategy involves themed trees in main areas and separate, customizable trees with homemade ornaments in her children's playroom.
- Deschanel prefers decorating early in the fall, while her husband waits closer to Thanksgiving; she once had a unique Christmas tree with Hanukkah ornaments.
- She has utilized professional decorators from Glitterville for her over-the-top festive decor.
- Deschanel was raised by artistic parents, an actress mother and a cinematographer father.
- Their high creative standards influenced her, making her hesitant to share her liking for 'silly' sitcoms in her youth.
- Deschanel and the host both identified seventh grade as the worst year of their lives, experiencing bullying due to being 'awkward' or 'chubby.'
- Deschanel recounted specific instances of bullying but noted her self-perception improved significantly in eighth grade after a growth spurt and joining the swim team.
- They discussed the long-term impact of childhood bullying on parenting, emphasizing the importance of equipping children with tools to handle negativity and foster kindness.
- Deschanel chose to leave Northwestern University after excelling in high school to pursue acting.
- Her decision was solidified when a logistical issue with storing belongings after accepting a movie role led her to abandon college permanently.
- Her parents supported her choice, though some friends were critical; Deschanel concealed her reasons, which led to negative perceptions.
- Deschanel addresses the 'manic pixie dream girl' label frequently applied to her unconventional female characters, explaining it as a media simplification.
- She considers the term 'lazy' and potentially insulting, expressing a preference for more creative descriptions of complex characters.
- Deschanel expressed surprise at negative audience reactions to her character Summer in '(500) Days of Summer,' explaining the narrative was from the male protagonist's perspective.
- Deschanel recalls loving the pilot script for 'New Girl,' initially titled 'Chicks and Dicks,' finding it humorous and a positive sign for the show's potential.
- Writers incorporated aspects of actors' personalities into characters, with Jess reflecting Deschanel's interest in crafting over time.
- Deschanel notes online criticism of her character's femininity and the phenomenon of 'girl on girl hate,' observing women often tear each other down online.
- Deschanel recounts the challenges of filming a show while pregnant with both of her children, detailing long hours and early pregnancy restrictions.
- She discusses how the show incorporated or hid her pregnancies, noting she carried laundry baskets during filming.
- Deschanel emphasizes the importance of being present for her children during non-working time, attending school events and playdates, and connecting through shared activities like making short movies, despite 'mom guilt.'
- Deschanel discusses her engagement to Jonathan Scott, whom she met while filming 'Carpool Karaoke.'
- She was proposed to at Edinburgh Castle without prior suspicion, despite subtle clues related to dressing up for a 'royal family visit.'
- Her parents later joined them for a surprise celebratory meal in Paris at La Coupole, a restaurant significant to her family.
- Deschanel, married for a year and a half, prioritizes a positive co-parenting relationship with her ex-partner, even involving him and Scott in a group chat, focusing on the children's happiness.
- Deschanel stars in a new holiday-themed romantic comedy, available on Amazon, centered around a couple who break up.
- The film's plot involves the ex-couple co-parenting their depressed dog on a holiday beach vacation, with romance and the dog as primary focuses.
- Deschanel cited her positive working relationship with director Jess Swale and co-star Charlie Cox as favorite aspects of making the movie.
- She also highlighted the humor derived from working with the dog actor, whose performance was motivated by treats like chicken breasts and sausage.