Zooey Deschanel: Relationships, RomComs, & the Holiday Season

Join Alex in the studio for an interview with Zooey Deschanel. Zooey talks all about her approach to the holidays and her experience on Elf. She also opens up about her engagement, navigating past divorce, overcoming bullying in her childhood, and why she isn’t a manic pixie dream girl. Enjoy!

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Alex Cooper?

  Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Southern New Hampshire University. Daddy gang, let's get real, okay? We like to make our own rules. Southern New Hampshire University gets it. They let you learn what you want with over 200 career-focused programs, where you want with 100% online courses, and how you want with no set class times. Basically, you get to call the shots from day one. Visit SNHU.edu/callherdaddy to learn more. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Ross. Fall is about finding pieces you love, making them your own, and creating looks and spaces just right for the season. Whether you're updating a small apartment or a spacious home,

• 0:41Alex Cooper?

  drawn to timeless neutrals, or bold seasonal touches, Ross makes it easy to imagine what's next and bring your fall vision to life. Ross makes fashion accessible to all with up to 20% to 60% off other retailers' prices on the brands you love. Find your nearest Ross at RossStories.com. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Bright by Scotch Bright. Daddy gang, a lot of us obviously take pride in where we live, right? We want the decor to look good, and then we want the lighting and the cleaning and all of it, and you want it to look spotless, and you want it to look really nice, right? So level up your clean routine with Bright's line of sponges. Use the Palm Scrubber with a comfy grip for serious scrubs,

• 1:25Alex Cooper?

  the easy-to-fill, leak-proof dish wand to keep hands out of the mess, or the Scrub and Wipe for a scrubbing side and a sud-sing side. All three look good, scrub great, and they come with handy drain and dry stands that are super compact and cute. Hook yourself up, boost it with Bright. Shop now. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Uber. Uber just introduced a new feature called Women Preferences, which lets women riders request a woman driver directly in the app. It's honestly an amazing feature that gives women more control over their rides. Sometimes we all just want a ride that feels a little more comfortable and chill. So if you haven't used it yet, Uber's new Women Preferences feature is available now in the Uber app. Learn more on the Uber app.

• 2:13Alex Cooper?

  What is up, daddy gang? It is your founding fall. Mother Alex Cooper with Call Her Daddy.

• 2:22Alex Cooper?

  Zoe Deschanel, welcome to Call Her Daddy.

• 2:24Speaker 01

  Oh, my God. Thank you so much for having me.

• 2:26Alex Cooper?

  I feel like you're the perfect person to be wearing this with.

• 2:31Speaker 01

  I, I think that's right.

• 2:33Alex Cooper?

  I was, no, literally before you came in, I was like, I hope she just like sees the vision.

• 2:38Speaker 01

  I see the vision.

• 2:38Alex Cooper?

  And is like, what is this person doing? Um, happy holidays. How are you doing?

• 2:42Speaker 01

  I'm good. Is it comfortable, by the way?

• 2:45Alex Cooper?

  It's actually weirdly very comfortable.

• 2:47Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 2:47Alex Cooper?

  Um, and I didn't expect to wear this today. I had a sweater and jeans on, but then I just put this on for some social ideas. And then I was like, you know what? Maybe this will get us in the mood.

• 2:56Speaker 01

  Yeah, I, I'm, I'm in the mood.

• 2:58Alex Cooper?

  You're feeling festive?

• 2:59Speaker 01

  And you're like, and we're like, we're gonna ride that mood like the whole time.

• 3:03Alex Cooper?

  We're, we're riding it. We're gonna go through the holidays together. Yes. Okay, let's talk about the holidays. We're kind of in the middle of it right now. Do you have any good plans this year?

• 3:12Speaker 01

  Um, like I'm such a traditionalist. Like I'm very much like, I love like hanging out with family. I like singing Christmas carols. I like, um, yeah, I, I, we're very festive. We love, we decorate like big. We go big with the decorations.

• 3:28Alex Cooper?

  Can you talk to me about decorations though? Because, so I don't have kids yet.

• 3:32Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 3:32Alex Cooper?

  And I've been trying to convince my husband, like, we need to like gear up, right? So I've been like trying to buy stuff for our house that so when we do have kids one day, it's like a winter wonderland.

• 3:42Speaker 01

  Right.

• 3:42Alex Cooper?

  And he's like, okay, like I, I see the vision sort of, but I feel like I'm only going half in. So I think I need to, if you're gonna do it, you gotta go all in. Like, do you do every room? Do you do some rooms?

• 3:53Speaker 01

  We do a lot of rooms, but you know what? It does build up over the years and then you do have to like, it's like you do have to edit like, cause you, we have, I'm really into Christmas and then Jonathan's really into Christmas. So it's like, it's like, I was the one in my family growing up. My dad comes from like a Quaker background, and if you know anything about that, they're very simple and plain and you don't want to show off. And so like, he liked Christmas trees with no decorations. And I was like, I love decorations. I want everything decorated, like over the top. And so I remember coming home like from college for Christmas and no one had bought a tree. And there was like no decorations. And I went out and I got like a tree and all these decorations. I decorated the whole house.

• 4:35Speaker 01

  So that's me. And then Jonathan's like probably more, even more.

• 4:40Alex Cooper?

  Love.

• 4:40Speaker 01

  And then we have these wonderful guys from Glitterville, which is like an awesome place in Knoxville, Tennessee, where they, they make all these Christmas decorations. They come and decorate our house.

• 4:53Alex Cooper?

  Oh, my God.

• 4:53Speaker 01

  We're kind of spoiled.

• 4:54Alex Cooper?

  One day, I'm gonna be calling them.

• 4:57Speaker 01

  Yeah, you'll call them. Yeah, I'll give you their.

• 4:58Alex Cooper?

  Is your tree, though, does it have like really nice fancy ornaments? Or do you do a couple where it's like your kids made it or you made it one year?

• 5:07Speaker 01

  That's a great, great question. Okay.

• 5:09Alex Cooper?

  So, yeah.

• 5:10Speaker 01

  Um, so downstairs in our like main areas, we have two trees and they're kind of themed. Um, they're a little different every year. The one in the like living room is last year was like champagne themed. This year it's a little more like gingerbread-y.

• 5:29Alex Cooper?

  Love.

• 5:30Speaker 01

  Um, and then, yeah, the themes are fun. And there's like lots of snow this year, like lots of fake snow. And then, um, and then in the like family room, the big, big tree is very sparkly and colorful and like tinsel and stuff like that. But then upstairs in the kids' playroom, we put two trees, one for each kid and they can decorate it however they want. And they can put all their homemade ornaments and they love doing that.

• 5:57Alex Cooper?

  Now, when are we putting up the tree? Cause this is also another point of contention in my house. When are you doing it?

• 6:06Speaker 01

  Sometimes, September 1st. Sometimes it happens like, like last year, I think somehow it was right after Halloween because that's just how it worked out. This year, um, we put up the trees right before Thanksgiving.

• 6:22Alex Cooper?

  See, I'm like, I, well, my husband's also Jewish, but like he fully supports me in my, um, Christmas extravaganza.

• 6:29Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 6:30Alex Cooper?

  And sure, it's like Christmica, but like it's Christmas, you know, for the decorations. And so Matt is always like, it can't be September 1st, Alex. And I'm like, the minute hits ball, we gotta go. So now we've compromised and we did it right before Thanksgiving, which I feel like is good.

• 6:42Speaker 01

  I think it's great because you just, you want as long with that tree as possible. And the other thing you can do in a, you know, a mixed like faith, uh, house is you do the, the Christmas tree with the Hanukkah colored ornaments.

• 6:58Alex Cooper?

  Zoe, I'm gonna go home tonight and I'm about to rock his world and be like, I have compromised. He's gonna be like, oh my God, honestly, that's a good idea.

• 7:06Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 7:06Alex Cooper?

  Um, do you host?

• 7:08Speaker 01

  Yes. So yeah, we always like to do like Christmas Eve dinner and stuff like that for the family.

• 7:14Alex Cooper?

  Have you ever had any hosting disasters?

• 7:18Speaker 01

  We did have a Christmas party a few years ago and the, like, our landscapers who are amazing, brought in some mulch to like, um, um, to make everything look really fresh, but accidentally had like fertilizer in it, which smells.

• 7:36Alex Cooper?

  No.

• 7:36Speaker 01

  But, but it was completely honest mistake, but I was just like putting like cinnamon sticks, like trying to burn them everywhere.

• 7:45Alex Cooper?

  Everyone's like, Zoe, your house smells so good.

• 7:47Speaker 01

  Well, we were like, um, it's just fresh. It's just fresh.

• 7:50Alex Cooper?

  Oh, okay, got it. But you're hosting more than you're going to places.

• 7:54Speaker 01

  We like to host. We like to go places. We, we're social. We're social people. We're social people.

• 7:58Alex Cooper?

  Talk to me about holiday movie. What is one holiday movie you have to watch every single year?

• 8:04Speaker 01

  Die Hard.

• 8:05Alex Cooper?

  Wait. Zoe.

• 8:08Speaker 01

  What?

• 8:08Alex Cooper?

  Wait, wait, what?

• 8:10Speaker 01

  Die Hard is a great Christmas.

• 8:12Alex Cooper?

  I'm like, so Elf is mine.

• 8:14Speaker 01

  I love Elf.

• 8:16Alex Cooper?

  Have you rewatched it?

• 8:17Speaker 01

  But since I'm in it, I'm not like, it's funny because my kids were a little resistant. They're, they're a little resistant to watching me. They're not as resistant to watching, like if there's something where I'm a voice, like trolls, freely watching that. Um, but like if I'm in something, they're a little like, is that mommy or is that like, yeah.

• 8:39Alex Cooper?

  Wait, how old are they now?

• 8:41Speaker 01

  They're, they're eight and 10, but just this year, my daughter said she wants to watch it with her friends.

• 8:45Alex Cooper?

  Elf?

• 8:46Speaker 01

  Yeah. So I was excited.

• 8:49Alex Cooper?

  So you're probably about to become like the coolest mom slowly. You're about to be like, oh, it's about to turn for you.

• 8:53Speaker 01

  Maybe, I don't know. I mean, I don't wanna like.

• 8:56Alex Cooper?

  It's one of the all time greats.

• 8:57Speaker 01

  Or they'll hate it and hate me.

• 8:58Alex Cooper?

  Right. Like, mom, that was so embarrassing.

• 9:00Speaker 01

  I'm so embarrassed.

• 9:01Alex Cooper?

  Okay, wait. So you were 21 years old when you filmed Elf?

• 9:06Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 9:06Alex Cooper?

  Is it true that you actually were not gonna first be booked for this role and then what happened?

• 9:12Speaker 01

  Um, they had offered it when I met with, um, John, um.

• 9:20Speaker 01

  The Favreau, the director, um, I walked in and he was like, oh, you don't need to read. We just offered it to Katie Holmes. And I was like, oh, okay. Cool. And he's like, well, sit down and talk for a minute. And I was like, okay. So what was great about that was like, I wasn't nervous. I didn't like have to like, you know, it's like, like, when you're an actor, you're like first starting and you're like auditioning, you got nervous and you're like psyching yourself up for the, you know, I wasn't nervous at all because I was like, well,

• 9:52Alex Cooper?

  I'm not getting the part.

• 9:52Speaker 01

  I'm not getting the part. So it was, it was kind of great because I was not nervous. And then when she, she had some scheduling conflict and then they were like, who should we have? And um, I think the character was kind of meant to be like worked around whoever played her. And they knew I sang because I had a cabaret act where I do like, um, like jazz standards and stuff. And so that kind of worked out with the, the character. Yeah.

• 10:22Alex Cooper?

  And at the time, do you think you all knew how big it was going to be because of Will? Or did, did it still not really?

• 10:29Speaker 01

  Will wasn't like, he, he was just start, I mean, he was like, had done, um, old school.

• 10:36Alex Cooper?

  Yeah, I guess you're right. It was still on the rise. He hadn't done Step Brothers.

• 10:39Speaker 01

  Yeah, he hadn't done Step Brothers. Like he hadn't done all of his like huge.

• 10:43Alex Cooper?

  You didn't even know though it was going to be as big as it was.

• 10:46Speaker 01

  Well, I, when I read it, I was like, I remember like giggling out loud and I was like really enjoying myself and I was like, that must be a good sign. And then I, I've taken that as like my litmus test, like ever since then, I was like, you know, like almost every time I like, laugh out loud while reading a script, because if you laugh out loud while reading a script, then you're probably going to laugh like even harder when you see someone doing it well.

• 11:13Alex Cooper?

  You had to have your hair be blonde. That wasn't a wig, was it?

• 11:17Speaker 01

  No, I, I, that was because I, I was young and just starting out and trying to get jobs. And there was a, a movie about a pop star that was like floating around and the producer really wanted me for it. And he was like, let's do a screen test. And they like dyed my hair blonde, put like extensions in it and all this stuff. And we did this like screen test. The movie never ended up happening, but I had this blonde hair for like, a little bit and I still hadn't dyed it back brown.

• 11:46Speaker 01

  Cause I was like 21. I didn't have like that much money to like go and do my hair all the time. So I was kinda like waiting. I'm like, I'll grow out a little bit. And then once I got the part, I was like, well, can I dye my hair back brown? And they were like, no, um, you have to have the same hair you had when you came in. And I'm not sure where that came from, but that's what I was told. So then I had to like, maintain this, which takes like eight, like if you have black hair, my hair is almost black. To dye your hair blonde, girl, that's like the biggest undertaking ever. Like, yeah, to, to strip really dark hair.

• 12:22Alex Cooper?

  You would never do it again, would you?

• 12:24Speaker 01

  I, I would wear a wig because it's not great for your hair. Like my hair, I will say that, like, my hair is like really stiff in the movie because it was like, it was bleached, and then it was highlighted, you know? And, and then I remember I had extensions in out, of course, I was like young and dumb. And I remember they glued the extensions in. I couldn't get them out. And I was like, trying to pull them. And I like ripped my hair. I had like short pieces like that long.

• 12:50Alex Cooper?

  I do remember because I just watched it this, um, this past week.

• 12:53Speaker 01

  Her hair does not move.

• 12:54Alex Cooper?

  It's literally perfectly curled up and it just like stays right there.

• 12:58Speaker 01

  There's a reason for that.

• 12:59Alex Cooper?

  Good to know.

• 13:00Speaker 01

  It's called chemical processing.

• 13:02Alex Cooper?

  Perfect. Um, okay. Can you tell us, cause obviously because it's holiday season and we're gonna go through a lot of your movies, but what was your first impression of Will Ferrell? Because obviously that movie was so iconic.

• 13:12Speaker 01

  He's like the nicest human being. Like anyone who's worked with him, like there's no bad experiences with him. He's so nice. He's nice to everybody. He's so fun. He's like game for anything. And I think the thing about Will is like, like he's super playful and fun and open and just like a nice person. And I think that kinda like informs who he is as an actor because he's like, he's like so willing to play, you know?

• 13:38Alex Cooper?

  No, yeah, I like, kind of forgot how like physical comedy he was in that movie as I was rewatching it. I'm like, oh my God, there were so many moments where you're like, whoa, what are his legs doing and all the things? Like, it's so funny. Um, do you have any, like, if you can remember, like your favorite scene to film together in that movie?

• 13:56Speaker 01

  Oh, my gosh.

• 13:59Speaker 01

  I like doing all the stuff in the department store because there's like so much like kind of farcical energy to that. It's like, you know, and, um, and like fun characters, like when he thinks he's like, I know Santa and then Santa comes, it's not the real, like the real Santa. And then he starts like freaking out. There's so much fun stuff in there.

• 14:37Alex Cooper?

  Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Airbnb. As you guys know, I have basically been working double time throughout this pregnancy to bank episodes for the month that I will be on maternity leave. And a few weeks ago, it all just kind of hit me. I was like, wait, wait, wait, where did summer go? And I was talking about this with Matt and he ended up surprising me with a little staycation. He booked this beautiful home on Airbnb in Malibu so that we could pretend like it was summer while it's still warm here in LA. The weather was perfect. The house was right on the beach, which was so relaxing and amazing. It also had just such a gorgeous kitchen. We stayed in, we cooked dinner together. And you know, Daddy

• 15:20Alex Cooper?

  gained my cooking skills. They have, they have gotten better. They've gotten a little bit better through pregnancy, but it was really just so nice to unplug and spend that time together before the baby comes and we move into this completely new chapter of our life. So whether you're planning a cozy weekend away, or you're just looking for an excuse to unplug for a few days, October is the perfect time to get out of town. Booking a home on Airbnb makes the trip feel even more special because everyone has room to actually spend time together. Whether you're coming back after a long day out, or you're also just cooking dinner, Airbnb makes settling in even easier because you can order groceries for your trip and have all the snacks and essentials delivered after you arrive. My

• 16:04Alex Cooper?

  favorite fall trips always have one thing in common, an amazing place to stay. That's why I always look at Airbnb first. This is a paid ad by BetterHelp. So anytime that I am finding myself having a habit that I just cannot kick, I'm like, okay, I need to talk about this in therapy. Listen, guys, everyone has habits, mindsets, or patterns that don't serve them. But recognizing what they are and learning how to let them go can be so important. It's literally the first step towards creating meaningful change. And therapy with BetterHelp, one of the leading online therapy platforms, can be a space to explore where those patterns come from and develop healthier habits and mindsets for a more fulfilling life. With over 30,000 therapists worldwide, BetterHelp has served millions of people globally.

• 16:50Alex Cooper?

  BetterHelp makes it easier to fit therapy into your routine with flexible ways to connect that work for different schedules and lifestyles. Plus, BetterHelp therapists have at least three years and 1,000 hours on hand experience and hold all required education, training, and certifications. You can meet with a range of professionals from marriage and family therapists to social workers and counselors. So Daddy Gang, if you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/daddy. That's better H E L P dot com slash daddy. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Shopify.

• 17:31Alex Cooper?

  Daddy Gang, you know I'm a little skeptical of the internet at times, aren't we all? But one thing I absolutely love is how much easier it has made starting a business. No matter what stage you're at, Shopify is the best place to start and grow a business. With Shopify, you get to own your storefront while still being discovered everywhere from Google to YouTube to the shop app. They also let you sell across TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, even directly inside AI chats. So your customers can shop wherever they already are and your products can appear directly alongside content. So as someone is scrolling, they just become part of their feed.

• 18:14Alex Cooper?

  Shopify truly makes it so much easier for customers to discover and buy products wherever their browser. And this has been such a game changer for Unwell. I love being able to sell merch directly on all the Call Her Daddy channels. So everything is in one place for the daddy gang. So, ready to add entrepreneur to your list of accomplishments? Head to Shopify.com slash daddy. That's Shopify.com slash daddy. Both of your parents worked in Hollywood, right? Your mom was an actress, your dad was a cinematographer.

• 18:46Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 18:46Alex Cooper?

  Um, what was it like growing up in a house with such creative artsy energy?

• 18:52Speaker 01

  Oh, that's a good question. Um, so, um, my parents are like, it's like they're not like my, my mom was like a working actress, like not famous or anything, but she like, she, she did really well and she's really smart and great. And, um, and then my dad, my dad's like an artist, you know, like he, he's just like everything, like he, he loves taking pictures, like even still, like we were in Rome this summer, like all of us. And like, we'd have to go out at like, they'd go out every day at five in the morning and it's like to find the light for the

• 19:26Alex Cooper?

  Shot.

• 19:27Speaker 01

  Picture.

• 19:27Alex Cooper?

  To get the shot.

• 19:28Speaker 01

  To take pictures. Yeah. Just like, he's taking pictures of buildings and he's taking pictures of my mom and me and it's, everything is always like, it's just like, he just sees the world in this like, you know, incredible way. Um, but yeah, so they're both really creative, artistic people and have like amazing taste. So I do remember like growing up and being like, like, um, like if I liked a movie that was kind of silly, I was like, don't say anything because they have like such good taste, you know?

• 20:01Alex Cooper?

  Interesting.

• 20:01Speaker 01

  Like I liked, I remember liking like silly sitcoms and stuff like that and being like, I'm not, I'm not saying anything.

• 20:08Alex Cooper?

  Cause he's like, that's, no, no, no. Let me show you something.

• 20:10Speaker 01

  He was like, watch Gondard movie.

• 20:12Alex Cooper?

  Oh.

• 20:12Speaker 01

  Which I love too, but like, I remember this sense of being like, ah, like,

• 20:18Alex Cooper?

  Wait, there's like a high standard.

• 20:19Speaker 01

  Their standards were so high that I remember being like, yeah, like too crazy.

• 20:26Alex Cooper?

  Yes. Um, I really related because I saw you said in an interview that seventh grade was the worst year of your life.

• 20:32Speaker 01

  Yes.

• 20:32Alex Cooper?

  Which then I was like, is that just like all of a lot of our experience? Cause seventh grade was literally the worst year of my life.

• 20:37Speaker 01

  Tell me.

• 20:38Alex Cooper?

  I think it's like, when you're that age, there's a coming of age where

• 20:45Alex Cooper?

  Everyone's starting to maybe like actually look at boys and girls and like maybe start to be more aware of the way everyone looks and the differences and sexuality and all these things. And like, I just was like a very awkward, very awkward, like lanky, acne braces kid. Um, and I just didn't, I just didn't fit in the way that my friends were.

• 21:09Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 21:09Alex Cooper?

  And so I experienced just like a lot of bullying because kids are horrible. And at that age, if you're not with the crowd and you are, you know, conforming to what everyone feels like is the normal standard, then you just stick out like a sore thumb and then everyone like puts you down for it.

• 21:24Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 21:25Alex Cooper?

  So I experienced that. And then when I read that, I was like, seventh grade.

• 21:28Speaker 01

  Seventh grade is the worst.

• 21:29Alex Cooper?

  What happened in seventh grade for you?

• 21:31Speaker 01

  Um, I was similarly awkward, but different. I was like, kinda chubby and, um, not that there's anything wrong with that. I, it was like, would have been fine if I hadn't been ridiculed for that. And just like an awkward person. I hadn't quite like figured out my personality yet. And like all the friends that I had been friends with kinda like splintered off into other groups and changed and were different and like not, not the same support situation. And then you have like all your hormones and everything. And, but what was funny about seventh grade is I, I joined a swim team and, oh, well, separately, I had like, I had like

• 22:14Speaker 01

  this one girl who like bullied me like really bad, who like spit in my face, like was just awful. It was like those things. She, I remember her going like, you're trying to act like you're thin. Which now I'm like, do you like, I'm like, this was like the mid nineties. I'm like, now nobody would say that, I don't think. But like, I remember her saying that to me and being like, I don't, I was like, do, am I trying to act like I'm thin? I don't think so. I think I'm just acting.

• 22:44Alex Cooper?

  Can you imagine? Like,

• 22:45Speaker 01

  Can you imagine?

• 22:46Alex Cooper?

  In that context, you're like, how does that kid, and what's going on at that kid's house that they feel comfortable to speak that way?

• 22:53Speaker 01

  I know.

• 22:54Alex Cooper?

  To another person? And then you're sitting there being like,

• 22:56Speaker 01

  And I was like, uh, I don't think so. And I'm also like, I, I also was like, why are you coming after me? I was like, I like was trying to hide from her all the time, but yeah. But I joined the swim team and, and I like lost about 30 pounds over the year. And then I grew six inches over the summer. And so when I came back, I had like a new lease on life because eighth grade, everyone was like, are you the same person? You look really different. So it was kind of like, um, fortunate that like my growth spurt happened in this like weird.

• 23:31Alex Cooper?

  That is like literally like a movie. Like you walk in, you're like, I'm back.

• 23:34Speaker 01

  Yeah. I was like, I also was like not even aware because I went to summer camp and I came back and then everyone was like, you look totally different.

• 23:42Alex Cooper?

  Do you feel like anything that you went through has informed as a mother, like how you're talking with your kids, just like making sure they're good in school and everything? Cause when you experience that, I have like a soft spot. I don't even have kids yet. And I'm like, oh my God, I'm going to have to like make sure that I'm going in their rooms and talking with them and making sure that they're okay and how they're being treated. Because I didn't tell my parents. Did you share it with your parents that you were getting bullied?

• 24:06Speaker 01

  I, I shared it with my parents. Yeah.

• 24:10Speaker 01

  Yeah. So one of the things like, I think we can't always control how other people act toward them, but we can, we can help them, give them tools, like on how to react when people do something that's not very nice. And also help them be the kindest people they can be, you know?

• 24:29Alex Cooper?

  Do you feel like anything from your childhood, just in terms of like those light, not even light, but just like insecurities?

• 24:37Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 24:38Alex Cooper?

  Do you still feel like any of that shows up today in your day to day life?

• 24:43Speaker 01

  I mean, of course it's like in there, but like, it's like, in, in, in, in a good way. Like I, I like all those things that like anytime you like go through something difficult, it helps like you become stronger. But I think I've made a real effort to never like show any, like, I, I have a daughter and a son and I don't want them to ever think like, oh, mommy's insecure or you know, like my, my, my mom doesn't like, you know, this or, you know, I always want them to think like, I'm happy with myself and like, because they get their self-esteem from their parents, you know? So, so yeah, it's important to me to like, like show up with confidence and.

• 25:21Alex Cooper?

  I think about like Hollywood is such an extreme of especially for women on just like

• 25:27Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 25:27Alex Cooper?

  focusing on looks or weight or aging or all the things like what has your experience been as a woman in this industry dealing with if anything like criticism over your appearance?

• 25:39Speaker 01

  Um, you know, it's funny. I, I think it's like, I think you can like, you can let it roll off you and it doesn't really affect you if you, as long as you let it like not affect you. Um, it's, it's when you like internalize it too much. Um, or you start to be like, oh, you know, and you let those sort of negative things like fester and you know, but, but I, I think when you kind of like, you know, let it roll off you and also just see that like those things, they're, they're, they don't really matter. You know what I mean? Like a lot of people talk about them like they do, but they don't actually, they don't, when it comes down to it, that's

• 26:22Speaker 01

  not what's important. And so, you know, I, I definitely think that being, you know, having a strong sense of self beyond that is really important.

• 26:33Alex Cooper?

  I mean, that's a beautiful message too, because I, I agree with you. It's like you can only control, like you said earlier, of like what your response is going to be to things. And I think especially if you're, we're never going to not get it as women. So at some point it can become in a good way, you can have autonomy over your life to be like, I'm so much more interesting than the way I look and, and my weight and my age and all those things. And so if you can focus more on those, then I think you're going to live a healthier and happier life. Understandably, it's so hard in moments.

• 27:05Speaker 01

  And then people don't see it really like, it's like then they move past it, you know, there, it's like you really see when, if somebody's really struggling with that and they're really internalizing it. I think, um, yeah, it's such a tricky thing. I mean, too, I, I think my identity was never super wrapped up in my appearance. I, I, I always made an effort to be like, is like more about what I'm presenting is more about my style and like, like artistic and creative expressions versus, oh, like I'm so just naturally perfect. Do you know what I mean? It's like all those things are so.

• 27:47Speaker 01

  Ephemeral and you know, they change and, um, and there's, you know, they're subjective. And so I think, I think, yeah, not, not having my identity so wrapped up in like, what I looked like when I was 25 is really great.

• 28:04Alex Cooper?

  And I love that because I think there's a lot of young women that listen to this show and I think it's nice hearing that because I do feel that from you. Like when I think about Zooey Deschanel, I'm like, oh my gosh, your style and like your energy, I think is so, it reads so much in a movie or in, you know, interviews you've done or print or whatever you do. Like you have such a very specific sense of style and a unique individuality that I really respect. And I think especially with social media and as more kids grow up with it, I think trends can be very all encompassing where people are almost like copying each other because they think like this will make me cool or this will make me cool. And what's actually so much cooler is being like, you're this like unique

• 28:49Alex Cooper?

  individual that people kind of can't copy you or want to copy you because you're so true to yourself.

• 28:53Speaker 01

  Start the trends, don't follow them.

• 28:56Alex Cooper?

  Yes. Um, can we talk about your career?

• 28:58Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 28:59Alex Cooper?

  Okay. So you start doing auditions at 16 years old. Did you have any like memorable disaster auditions where you were like, how did that just happen to me?

• 29:09Speaker 01

  Yeah. I, I mean, so, so many. It was like a whole year of like terrible auditions. I remember too, preparing, there was like one where I was reading for like some huge director was like, I want to say it was like Christopher Nolan or something. And I was like, and they called me in and I had prepared for days, but then when I got there, I just completely like just got so nervous. I forgot everything. And I was like, and then the casting director was like called my, called my agents and was like, well, she was super unprepared. And I was like, no, no, no.

• 29:48Alex Cooper?

  I just got really nervous.

• 29:49Speaker 01

  So nervous that I just like screwed up so bad. I, I have like, um, a lot of learning differences and I had grew up like bad ADHD in a time when not a lot of girls were diagnosed with it. It was like, and I had like the combined type, which means I had like hyperactivity and. Inattentiveness, so a lot of stuff going on. So like, I sometimes have to spend a little more time learning things and preparing, um, which I know well, but that's why it took me. And then once I know how to prep, then I know how to prep. But I think that was like, still in this like exploratory phase where I'm like, I did spend a long time preparing,

• 30:31Speaker 01

  but it didn't really work. Yeah. I luckily have my, my mom is a great actor and she like, when I was growing up, like would like coach me, like help me, um, prep for auditions. So that was like hugely helpful. But

• 30:45Alex Cooper?

  I feel like the, um, conversation around, yes, like so many, especially young women were never like diagnosed at certain ages where you're like, what, like whether you're feeling like you're like failing in school or you're like feeling embarrassed.

• 30:59Speaker 01

  She's just not smart.

• 31:00Alex Cooper?

  Yes. And it's like, no, that's not it. She just learns differently or whatever it be.

• 31:03Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 31:04Alex Cooper?

  Um, did you feel like, I, cause I know you then went to Northwestern.

• 31:08Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 31:08Alex Cooper?

  And you intended to go to college.

• 31:10Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 31:10Alex Cooper?

  Then you left because you got a movie.

• 31:12Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 31:12Alex Cooper?

  Were you kind of happy to get away from school because you didn't feel like maybe that was your place? Or did you kind of, was it a hard decision for you to leave college?

• 31:21Speaker 01

  It was hard. And I will say this. So in elementary school, it was a real struggle, but, but I, I'm, I'm a pretty, I'm a pretty nerdy person, very love studying. Um, and so by the time I was in high school, I was like thriving in school. So it was just kind of coming up with the right strategies for me. And, and back then, like, they didn't really like readily medicate people. I was not medicated. Um, and like, it was just coming up. I, it was just more realizing I need more time. So if some, one person takes like, you know, an hour to study, it might take me like two hours because I have to like leave in space to like, like daydream and like, you know, but then I might come up with

• 32:03Speaker 01

  something like really interesting that's different. And, and so I think it's just, it was kind of a matter of like, accepting how I was. And, and then, so yeah, I, I, I thrived in high school. I got really good grades and, and was like, graduated with honors and, and then went to Northwestern and I loved it, but it was just, it was what I realized was like my, my focus had always been on being an actor. So I, I, I made a risky decision, which was sort of.

• 32:34Speaker 01

  I had, I had put a storage locker like on hold for my stuff, like for my dorm room. Cause I'd gone to movie and I was going home. And I was like, gonna go back. And I was like, I'll put all my stuff in there. And then I got there and they didn't have the reservation. And I was like, that's it. I was like, I was like, that's a sign. I had gotten, I was supposed to do a photo shoot for like British Vogue or something and they'd given me money to fly home. And it was like in travel restrictions or something. I remember and I was like, well, I'll take like, uh, my flight wasn't quite that amount. And they'd given me just like a budget and then I was like, okay, I'll just use the rest of that money to ship my stuff home.

• 33:17Alex Cooper?

  And you never went back.

• 33:18Speaker 01

  And I never went back.

• 33:19Alex Cooper?

  Did your family support you? Like, did you have any hesitations of leaving college?

• 33:23Speaker 01

  My parents were really supportive. They like, cause they both got to do this, like, you know, these creative things and got that like you do what you gotta do. And, and there was still a part of me that's like, I love school and I want to go back to school sometime. I just don't know what I want to study, but I, I love school. But, but my parents were supportive. It was more like when I'd run into like my parents, friends, like at the grocery store, they'd be like, go back.

• 33:46Alex Cooper?

  Right. They're like, sweetie, what are you doing with your life?

• 33:48Speaker 01

  What are you doing with your life? And I had this, I made this decision where I was like, well, I don't want to brag. So I don't want to tell anyone that I got a movie and that's why I left school. So I'm just going to be like, I quit. And they just thought I was like the biggest loser. Like, I mean, for like a year until this film came out. I was just like, Zoe, like really went off the rails.

• 34:11Alex Cooper?

  I feel like that speaks a lot though, to your character and who you are, where you don't care what people think. The fact that you are in the grocery store being like, yeah, I just quit. I'm a loser, doing nothing with my life. Meanwhile, you're like, T minus one year till you find out.

• 34:25Speaker 01

  It was fun to see like how judgmental people are when they think.

• 34:30Alex Cooper?

  Isn't it crazy?

• 34:31Speaker 01

  It is crazy.

• 34:32Alex Cooper?

  And it's, I hope that now there is more acceptance around non, just like traditional linear paths of like, you go to school, then you do this, then you do this. And you get the job and it's not. And if I need to do this, like, there's just so much more, I think, out there for people that don't want that. I'm not saying there's a problem with the traditional path, but I do think it's cool to see how people have actually been now becoming more open to like, a lot of kids aren't supposed to go down the path that maybe their parents did, and that's okay.

• 35:01Speaker 01

  And some kids like need a gap year, like they have to travel, they have to see the world a little bit, or they need like time to like, because sometimes high school is like a lot of pressure. I mean, I know, I was like studying all the time, like doing theater too, but like, I mean, I was just, I was just like, I felt like a lot of pressure academically and, you know, to, and I didn't really do a lot of social stuff. Like, that's how, like, and so like, I was like, and then when I went to college, I was like, whoa, like, it's a lot, there's a lot going on.

• 35:33Alex Cooper?

  It's a good point. It's like, we feel like we just have to do these things, but then when you check in, it's like, there's so many kids in high school that are like, I'm about to burn out. Like, I can't keep doing this. And being in tune as a parent, hopefully to be like, what does this child need compared to my other child or whatever?

• 35:50Speaker 01

  That's the thing that's cool about having kids is you see like, when they grow up and they're like, mine are like two years apart and, and um, or a little less than that. So, so they're pretty close in age. So I could see like, what's developmental? And like, you know, whatever, they walk between this age and this age and those types of things. And then like, what's their personality? And you'll see glimmers of their personality when they are like newborns. That's what's amazing. There's like, stuff that stays with them.

• 36:19Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 36:19Speaker 01

  I love that so much. Yeah.

• 36:22Alex Cooper?

  What do you think was your breakout role?

• 36:27Speaker 01

  That's a good question. I'll have like versions. I mean, I would say like Elf was probably it because it, that was like, that was like the first movie that I did that was like, big, you know, like, I did Almost Famous and that was like, I got a lot of like,

• 36:45Speaker 01

  really nice, kind of,

• 36:50Speaker 01

  Notices and people really liked that film. But it, um, but Elf was kind of like on this felt like more global or something. And, and I was a bigger part. So, yes.

• 37:02Alex Cooper?

  Yeah. Um, another movie that people obviously fell in love with you in was from 500 Days of Summer. I mean, obviously, I feel like a lot of people are like, that is like my favorite coming of age movie. A lot of people love it. You ended up always kind of like defending your character, Summer, against accusations that she was the villain of that story. Which is so crazy. And I think hopefully now people would look back and be like, what? But at the time, it really felt like people were like, she's the problem. Like this was messed up. What do you think people got wrong about her?

• 37:37Speaker 01

  Well, I mean, I think, I think a lot of things about that. I, I, I, um, I, I think it's changed a lot. Like the, the point of view about, about that movie. Um, I, I think I was, I was really shocked actually when it came out because we all kind of had the, um, the point of view that this was kind of like, they're a little bit star crossed. Like she's in one place, he's in another and like he, it's all from his point of view. And, and you kind of see the tragedy of the fact that he wants more and she sees this as something passing and isn't ready for this yet. Um, and then when it came out, all of a sudden I, I especially wasn't so much girls,

• 38:19Speaker 01

  but it was guys. They'd be like, I fucking hate you, Summer. I'd be like, whoa, wait a second. I, I was like, I was shocked. I was like, wait, she's very clear with him from the beginning. Like, I'm like, what more do you want from her? So, so, so she has to do what he wants? Like no matter what, I was just, I was just really surprised that that was the takeaway. And, and I understand.

• 38:45Speaker 01

  That sometimes people don't know what to do with their emotions and that probably they just felt like they're really like shipping this couple. They're like, we want them to be together. But, but she said, like, I don't want anything.

• 39:02Alex Cooper?

  I know. That's what's so crazy. I also just feel like maybe we are now more progressive as a society. So like, especially women are like, this is, you couldn't be more clear. You're like, I want to keep things casual. And then he keeps seeing the girl. So it's like, okay, if you're down with this. I remember after that movie, the term manic pixie dream girl

• 39:23Speaker 01

  Right.

• 39:24Alex Cooper?

  became just like this whole conversation. And to anyone, maybe who's like my younger audience that isn't familiar with that term. Can you explain what manic pixie dream girl means?

• 39:34Speaker 01

  It's the, okay. Um, it's the term everyone seemed to use to describe like any female in a movie that was left of center or different. Um, that wasn't just like the hot girl. Um, like someone that had thoughts in her head, had opinions, was a little different. Um, I know the first, I, I was, I went on a deep dive because about that, because I remember being like, wait. Every time I would be in something, I would be reduced to this and I, I, I. It was something a journalist used to describe Katie Holmes in Pieces of April, which was like a, um,

• 40:15Speaker 01

  an indie movie that went to Sundance, like in the early 2000s. And then since then, they just used, and like, then they used it to describe like Natalie Portman in Garden State. And like, pretty much like, and then somehow every character I ever played. And I'm like,

• 40:30Speaker 01

  I don't think all these characters are the same. Um, and I mean,

• 40:39Speaker 01

  It just felt, to be honest, a bit like, let's come up with a new thing and, and let's be a little more creative because it started to also feel like an insult or something. Like it was used as in this, that, that you're, that the manic pixie dream girl, this was a way to make this character that was meant to be highly, you know, like three dimensional, trying to make it one dimensional. And I was like, no, actually, the point is to make a character three dimensional, not one dimensional. So, um, yeah, I was always a little bit like, look, you have to take everything in stride and realize that people call you stuff like all the time and you have to have a thick skin about it. And it's fine, whatever. People

• 41:23Speaker 01

  want to call me that. Cool. But in my opinion, I think it's lazy to keep using it.

• 41:30Alex Cooper?

  I agree. I agree. No, it's also crazy because like you come up with these tropes and these names that media obviously more centered towards women on these because I, I agree. It's like, if it's not just like the bombshell, like Bond girl, then it's like, where does, where does the woman fit?

• 41:48Speaker 01

  We don't know what to do with her.

• 41:49Alex Cooper?

  Yeah. And it's like, oh my God, she's like multi-dimensional. What a concept. Meanwhile, you're watching like all these men in these movies.

• 41:54Speaker 01

  She reads books. What do I do?

• 41:56Alex Cooper?

  Well, she has glasses on and she's like, what?

• 41:58Speaker 01

  Like, is like Belle from Beauty and the Beast, a manic pixie dream girl? That's my, my question.

• 42:04Alex Cooper?

  Such a good point.

• 42:05Speaker 01

  Is Tiana a manic pixie dream girl? She's like an entrepreneur. Are we manic pixie dream girls? Do we move like Disney princesses into the manic pixie dream girl era?

• 42:16Alex Cooper?

  It's such a good point. It's like, if that is what they're basically saying, then I guess the goal should be to strive to be a manic pixie dream girl.

• 42:22Speaker 01

  To be a manic pixie dream girl.

• 42:24Alex Cooper?

  Cause you're clearly like getting people so riled up that you're not conforming.

• 42:28Speaker 01

  Emotional about, I'm like, why are you so emotional about this manic pixie dream girl thing? You're very upset.

• 42:34Alex Cooper?

  Right. I'm glad though. It's like, it's getting you going. It's making you think. I'm happy my art is like touching you in that way. It's a good way to look at it. Um, okay. Another one of your most beloved characters was Jess from New Girl.

• 42:47Speaker 01

  Yes.

• 42:47Alex Cooper?

  Obviously. How do you remember feeling when you first read that script?

• 42:54Speaker 01

  I absolutely loved that pilot script. Like I was, again, I remember where I was when I read it. Cause I was in the, um,

• 43:07Speaker 01

  The Virgin Atlantic Lounge in London. And um, the script was called Chicks and Dicks. That was, and I was like, do I want to read this? Like, I was like, what?

• 43:19Alex Cooper?

  You're like, whoa.

• 43:20Speaker 01

  I was like, chicks and dicks, like, what is this about? And then um, and then everyone was like, no, no, it's really good. And then I read it and I was like, I was sitting there and I was like, huh, like laughing out loud. And I was like, well, that's a great sign.

• 43:33Alex Cooper?

  Wow. There you go, back to Elf.

• 43:35Speaker 01

  Back to Elf.

• 43:37Alex Cooper?

  So I know that eventually the writer started to draw inspiration from you as an actual like person and put it into the show a little bit. What parts of yourself did you see reflected in this character?

• 43:50Speaker 01

  I would say um,

• 43:54Speaker 01

  a- a- all of us had like, when you're on a show that goes a long time, they like kind of have to do certain things. Especially like a sitcom, I think. They they'll take certain parts of your personality because they know they can kind of take advantage of those things, you know what I mean? Or they get how you, they get your rhythm and how you talk and like how you're going to say things. So it's like, you know, it's have like instances where they would write things that come out of your mouth, like perfectly by season, you know, like probably by the end of season one. And so getting those things, like how to, you know, so they they start to get you. And then like for Jess, like, you know, it's like, I like crafting and stuff like that.

• 44:38Speaker 01

  Like there would be things where, you know, there was an episode that I felt like was great because we were dealing with this a lot where people were kind of criticizing the Jess character and me for being like feminine in a way that was maybe to some people passe or something like, as if I was, as if I like crafting because I think it like makes me like a trad wife or something like, no, I like it because it's fun and creative and maybe it's relaxing. Um, and there was a great episode that Julie and Julia, Jess and Julia?

• 45:14Speaker 01

  Jess and Julia, sorry. There's a movie called Julia.

• 45:16Alex Cooper?

  Yeah, Julia and Julia.

• 45:17Speaker 01

  That's, yeah. Jess and Julia. And it's just this character Julia is basically a lawyer and she doesn't like Jess because Jess is like, likes all these kind of feminine things. And it was kind of written as a, a little bit of a, you know,

• 45:39Speaker 01

  reaction to a lot of this. There was a little bit of girl on girl hate, you know, where it's like, you're different from me, so I'm not gonna like you. Like, it's like,

• 45:50Speaker 01

  why, why, like, who cares? Like, there's not one way a woman should be, you know? And like, we all have masculine and feminine traits and they come out in different ways. And I think, I think now it's a little different, but that was, that was a little while ago. And I, I, I love the way they reacted to that thing, you know?

• 46:07Alex Cooper?

  Trust me, I think it is really unfortunate because I do think the girl on girl thing is still happening. Like, I see it online every day, almost where

• 46:17Speaker 01

  I'm sure, yeah.

• 46:17Alex Cooper?

  women are tearing other women down because it's like, oh, like, she's trying to be like this, or she's trying to be like this. And it's like, guys.

• 46:26Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 46:26Alex Cooper?

  I, I, now, like, the men aren't even a part of the conversation anymore. It's literally just all these women going at each other. And it's like, let's all just like, let each other be.

• 46:34Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 46:34Alex Cooper?

  And just accept that you made to like crafting and that's okay. And that doesn't mean you're being try hard to appeal to the male gaze. Like, what if you literally just like doing it?

• 46:44Speaker 01

  Yeah, no, it, it's really interesting. I, I, I was pretty fascinated. Like, in a similar way to the 500 Days of Summer thing.

• 46:53Alex Cooper?

  It is crazy how sometimes the shows I'm sure you are on, then they spark a larger conversation. And you're kind of like this vessel to people, starting to look and be like, oh, wow, we need to now make a social commentary again in another episode. And then there you guys did it. So, it's kind of cool.

• 47:08Speaker 01

  It was fun to be able to be on something where they could respond in real time and we could kind of make something out of.

• 47:32Alex Cooper?

  Call Her Daddy is brought to you by My Mochi. Everyone is talking about Dubai chocolate, chocolate with pistachio flavored cream. Well, now Mochi Ice Cream has its own version of Dubai chocolate. Spoiler alert, guys, it's delicious. My Mochi Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream is premium pistachio flavored ice cream with Kadaev and chocolatey flavored bits wrapped in sweet chewy chocolate flavored dough. It's only 80 calories per piece, nut free, and easy to share because it comes in a box with six individual snacks. I am obsessed with My Mochi.

• 48:14Alex Cooper?

  And when you give me that plus a good chocolate, I'm gonna have that in my freezer. Every single night, I'm gonna pop one in. I am obsessed. I love it so much. Taste the joy with every bite of My Mochi Ice Cream. Look for the green and brown box of My Mochi Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream in the freezer aisle of your local grocery store. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Southern New Hampshire University. Daddy gang, let's get real, okay? We like to make our own rules. Southern New Hampshire University gets it. They let you learn what you want with over 200 career-focused programs, where you want with 100% online courses, and how you want with no set class times. Basically, you get to call the shots from day one.

• 48:57Alex Cooper?

  Visit SNHU.edu/callherdaddy to learn more. The internet was pretty divided on whether or not Jess and Nick should have ended up together. There was a lot of back and forth. Zoe, what was your take?

• 49:14Speaker 01

  Um, my take was actually, I, I kind of wished...

• 49:19Speaker 01

  This was just my own personal feeling because I like leaving things a little unfinished because I like people to decide like what they think happened and it's sometimes unsatisfying for people and I know it's not like really a network TV type ending, but I thought we should like end it before people knew whether it happened or not.

• 49:39Alex Cooper?

  So in their heads, they can come up with what it was.

• 49:41Speaker 01

  Like the graduate ending is like my favorite ending because you're like, okay, he went, he got her out. She's not getting married to this other guy. She ran, she's with him, but do we know if they're gonna, then Hello Darkness, my old friend.

• 49:55Alex Cooper?

  We have no clue.

• 49:55Speaker 01

  Starts, I'm like, Sound of Silence starts playing. I'm like, what's happening? And then they have this like moment of like, we don't know and I like that.

• 50:04Alex Cooper?

  Okay, that's interesting. I like that you're like.

• 50:06Speaker 01

  I want to let them decide. I'd rather let the people, let the people argue.

• 50:10Alex Cooper?

  Let the people, I love that. Okay. I heard that you don't like to call it fuck, marry, kill. You prefer to say marry, bury, one night stand.

• 50:18Speaker 01

  Yes.

• 50:18Alex Cooper?

  So.

• 50:19Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 50:20Alex Cooper?

  Marry, bury, one night stand. Nick.

• 50:22Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 50:22Alex Cooper?

  Schmidt, Winston.

• 50:25Speaker 01

  Um, great question. I don't, I don't want to be like mean because I love these people.

• 50:31Alex Cooper?

  No, no, no. The bury is like, just like put them to the side. We're not actually burying them.

• 50:35Speaker 01

  Okay. I think you have to, um.

• 50:39Alex Cooper?

  Do it from the perspective of Jess.

• 50:41Speaker 01

  I think Jess would say, well, okay, let's just say, yeah, and not the actors because I don't want to, yeah, the characters. Let's say Mary Winston, one night stand Nick. And I'm sorry, we have to bury Schmidt because he does a lot of bad, he does a lot of bad stuff.

• 50:59Alex Cooper?

  Love. Okay. You had both of your kids while filming this show. Did you have any hesitations about starting a family during a really busy time in your career?

• 51:11Speaker 01

  That's a really great question. Um, it was hard. I mean, um.

• 51:19Speaker 01

  I remember being like, before I could tell anyone I was pregnant, like, cause when you're like, less than 12 weeks pregnant, you're not, not supposed to tell. But I remember being like, like, 11 weeks pregnant or something and you're not supposed to drink coffee, like you're not like, you're like one cup of coffee and like, I'm used to working like really, really long hours. Like, people don't realize like in TV you work like, in films, like you work like, oh, 16 hour days, like normal. So I remember and nights and like crazy. And I remember working a night and it was like a really long day. Um, and I couldn't drink coffee and I was just drinking like orange juice, like non-stop and just being like, this is crazy.

• 52:03Alex Cooper?

  Was anyone like, Zoe, do you want a coffee?

• 52:06Speaker 01

  And I'd be like, no, thank you. I just, I'm loving this juice. It's like, they're like, we've never seen you drink orange juice before. I'm like, but I'm loving it now.

• 52:15Alex Cooper?

  God.

• 52:15Speaker 01

  It's like the only way I could keep away was like sugar, like.

• 52:19Alex Cooper?

  Okay. So you at first were like, okay, I'm trying to hide it. And then once you, did you tell your cast first? Did you announce it to the world? Like, how did you go about that?

• 52:28Speaker 01

  Yeah, I told them like a little bit before I announced it and then like, they kind of had to write it in. So yeah, I, I told them and, and then they, or not write it in, they had to figure out whether they want to write it in or hide it, which they chose to hide it both times. I did think it would have been cool to have written it in, cause that would have been a cool storyline, I think. But I know there were a lot of great minds thinking on it and they decided not to. And I was just like carrying around laundry baskets like for whole seasons.

• 52:59Alex Cooper?

  Constantly holding things.

• 53:00Speaker 01

  Behind planters.

• 53:02Alex Cooper?

  What do you think is the biggest challenge that you've faced balancing motherhood and career?

• 53:08Speaker 01

  Oh, that's a, that's another great question. Okay. So, um.

• 53:13Speaker 01

  I like really wanna be a good mom and I always like wanna show up for them like whenever I can. Um, but yeah, I mean, I've like, I realized that so whenever I'm off work, I just show up for like everything. Like I'm there picking them up. I'm dropping them off. Like I'm crafting in the, you know, classroom. I'm taking them to play dates. Like I'm going and sitting and waiting for them outside their, you know, their dance classes and all the things. And, and then when I'm working, I just try as much like, I'm like, okay, now it gets to like, okay, they, they get that, you know, I have to work and now

• 53:57Speaker 01

  I show, you know, it's like, then it's like the school play, like there are certain things where it's like, you gotta be there in as much as you can. I get, sometimes you can't, but like try, try to get there for like whatever, the big game or the school play or like those big things. Cause those are the things they remember a lot.

• 54:14Alex Cooper?

  That's what I feel like a lot of women, um, especially in a beautiful way. Now that so many more women are working.

• 54:19Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 54:20Alex Cooper?

  I think that there's the, the fear that a lot of women also talk about the reality of mom guilt.

• 54:26Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 54:26Alex Cooper?

  And being like, oh my God, I'm here, but I need to, I also wish I was here. And like, how have you kind of balanced that when you are working to not let it just like overtake you? Cause it can feel probably like a lot.

• 54:38Speaker 01

  Well, sometimes you feel like you're like, you're like, do these people have endless time? Like some people just have a lot of time to go and volunteer all the time. And it's amazing. And I, I like that is an incredibly important thing, but I don't always have time to do that. And it doesn't mean that I'm not a great mom. You know, I think it's like understanding that like kids, if they feel loved, like that's the most important thing. And you know, and it's like, everyone has different ways, like just like you connect with any person, whether they're a grown up or a kid, but it's like you connect with your kids in unique ways. And it's like, my kids and I each have specific things we connect on and, and I try to like, like really lean into those things, you know?

• 55:23Speaker 01

  Um, we make little movies together. That's like something we do. And we will like pick a genre and like watch a movie in the genre and then we'll make a little movie in the genre and I'll edit it. And my son likes to do like stop motion animation. So we try to work that in and then my daughter likes to act, they loves acting. So they, they, they.

• 55:44Alex Cooper?

  You're a good acting partner to have.

• 55:45Speaker 01

  Well, I don't, I don't even act in them. They act in them.

• 55:49Alex Cooper?

  Oh, you're directing and editing.

• 55:51Speaker 01

  Really cute. Yeah. I directed and edited. Yeah. It's really fun. And, and um, so it's, it's been. And, and sometimes I'm surprised, like I, we watched the Maltese Falcon because we were making a film noir and I was like, there's no way they're going to sit through this. And then they sat through the whole thing. They were like totally happy.

• 56:07Alex Cooper?

  Look, you're doing what your dad did. Now they're gonna have good taste.

• 56:10Speaker 01

  Right.

• 56:10Alex Cooper?

  You have good taste. They have good taste. Um, let's talk about your relationship.

• 56:15Speaker 01

  Yes.

• 56:15Alex Cooper?

  You are engaged to Jonathan Scott.

• 56:17Speaker 01

  Yes.

• 56:18Alex Cooper?

  I know that you guys met filming carpool karaoke, which is literally adorable. At what point though, did you realize that you were into him and that there was like a spark or a connection?

• 56:32Speaker 01

  Right away, I was like, he's really cute, like handsome guy. Um, and I was like going through a divorce that was like kind of under wraps because we were, you know, like for our kids, we were like, you know, in divorce mediation. And, um, and, um, so I was just kind of like looking for someone to flirt with. Like I was like, oh, I'll flirt with him. He's fun, you know? Um, and yeah, we like immediately had a connection. Um, and it took a while for him to like drag it out. Then I was like getting a divorce. And then, yeah, and then we've been like inseparable ever since. He's like the nicest person.

• 57:09Alex Cooper?

  We, and your siblings were both in the car.

• 57:13Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 57:13Alex Cooper?

  For carpool karaoke. Afterwards, was your sister like, this is a no brainer? Or did they not see the chemistry?

• 57:19Speaker 01

  She might've been like, I knew that. Like, like I was like, I'm going on a date with Jonathan. Like she might've been like, I knew it.

• 57:26Alex Cooper?

  That's such a sister thing to like pretend they knew. I'm like, no, you didn't. No, that's literally never happened.

• 57:31Speaker 01

  She kind of does know everything, but.

• 57:34Alex Cooper?

  I don't like to let my sister know that she knows everything.

• 57:36Speaker 01

  Do you have an older sister?

• 57:37Alex Cooper?

  Older.

• 57:37Speaker 01

  Yeah. So she's older. So she doesn't.

• 57:39Alex Cooper?

  My sister knows everything, but I'm like, no, you don't.

• 57:41Speaker 01

  No, you don't. Yeah.

• 57:43Alex Cooper?

  Anyways, come to me when you want the answers. I'm like, oh my God. Um, okay. So you go from carpool karaoke to dating. Like who made the first move? Like what happened?

• 57:53Speaker 01

  Um, well, it was probably like a mutual like first move. Um, but, um, we had a really like funny first date where like half the time he was trying to drag it out of me like what was going on and I was like, I'll tell you later. Cause we were like in a crowded restaurant and then we did like karaoke and like we were just going from the thing to thing. And then he's like, I want you to see this house I'm renovating. And I was like, oh, he's gonna try to kiss me. And then he didn't, cause he's just a nerd who's trying to show me a house. And then I was like, well, that worked like really badly.

• 58:27Alex Cooper?

  Stop.

• 58:28Speaker 01

  And I got in the car and he was like, oh my God, I'm so sorry. Like you left really fast.

• 58:33Alex Cooper?

  And you're like, I thought I was gonna get a make out.

• 58:35Speaker 01

  Yeah, I was like, I thought we were vibing.

• 58:38Alex Cooper?

  And you eventually got your kiss, so you're fine.

• 58:40Speaker 01

  Yeah, yeah, we did.

• 58:40Alex Cooper?

  Um, what is?

• 58:41Speaker 01

  Second date.

• 58:42Alex Cooper?

  Perfect. What is Jonathan's best quality as a partner?

• 58:45Speaker 01

  Um, he's like so, he's very kind. And he's like, he's like almost like methodical about making sure you're,

• 58:58Speaker 01

  like everything's like you're supported. He's very supportive and kind and like, and like just, he's a really nice person. I mean, he's Canadian.

• 59:09Alex Cooper?

  Done.

• 59:10Speaker 01

  Canadian.

• 59:11Alex Cooper?

  Say no more. I'm like, got it.

• 59:12Speaker 01

  We love Canadians.

• 59:13Alex Cooper?

  We love Canadians. Um, what do you think he would say your best quality as a partner is?

• 59:19Speaker 01

  Um, I'm fun.

• 59:22Alex Cooper?

  I'm literally the life of the party, obviously. You're like, I bring the good times.

• 59:27Speaker 01

  I'm very fun.

• 59:28Alex Cooper?

  And he's kind and I'm fun.

• 59:29Speaker 01

  He's also really fun too. I'm kind too. I'm kind too. I have good taste in men.

• 59:38Alex Cooper?

  Done. Um, okay. So you got engaged, I know, at a castle on vacation.

• 59:43Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 59:44Alex Cooper?

  I hadn't, like, I'm curious, did you have any idea you knew you were getting proposed to?

• 59:49Speaker 01

  Nothing. I had like thought other times we might get like engaged and then it didn't happen. And so I was like, I guess it's never gonna happen. Cause we've been together like a long time and, um, And we were in Edinburgh, which where his family's from. And I also like am originally Scottish, like my family. And but his dad is from actually from like near Glasgow. In Lannarke and which is like, I don't know, an hour from Edinburgh. Anyway, he loves Edinburgh Castle and we were going there like with the kids like on a tour. And there was this whole, this was what was so funny.

• 1:00:29Speaker 01

  They're like, all these things that I flagged, but didn't like, I just said like, that's weird. Cause there was a thing that said like,

• 1:00:38Speaker 01

  you might meet members of the royal family, so you can't wear a hat in the calendar. Like there will be things and I was like, what? I was like, the Queen, like they wear hats all the time. Like royal family is obsessed with hats. Why can't I wear a hat? Cause I'm always wearing a hat, cause I like, don't want sun. I'm terrified of the sun. And I'm like, that's so lame. And he's like, no, I mean, it makes sense. And I was like, okay, whatever. I didn't wear a hat. Then it was like, he's like, you have to dress kind of nice. And I was like, okay. And I had like a silk blouse and like a silk skirt. And I just put them on, they were like, my suitcase is like so wrinkled. He's like, oh, um, do you, would you like to iron those? And I was like, no.

• 1:01:22Speaker 01

  I was like, iron, that's like, that sounds terrible. That sounds like work that I don't want to do. And he's like, I'll iron them. And I was like, okay.

• 1:01:31Alex Cooper?

  This poor man is just trying to make sure you look gorgeous.

• 1:01:34Speaker 01

  Yeah, he's like, he's like, and I guess my mom was like, she's gonna need like hair and makeup.

• 1:01:40Alex Cooper?

  Oh.

• 1:01:40Speaker 01

  And he was like, you should like, make sure to do your hair like for this random tour.

• 1:01:45Alex Cooper?

  You're like, what are you trying to say?

• 1:01:46Speaker 01

  Why do I need to do my hair? But then I got it. And then there was another surprise, which was incredible, because I'm incredibly close with my parents. And, and they weren't there for the proposal. But we went to Paris afterwards, like the, like maybe a day or two later. And we were going to this restaurant, La Coupole, that like we went, growing up, we'd go to Paris like every summer. My family is French, my dad's family. And um, when we got there, we said, oh, Deschanel, and she said Caleb. And I was like, oh, that's weird. And I was like, oh, no, that's because um, they just have it like in their system. And then we walked in, my parents were sitting there waiting for us, so they surprised us.

• 1:02:31Alex Cooper?

  That's adorable.

• 1:02:32Speaker 01

  And Jonathan had like arranged all that. Yeah, he's very thoughtful, you know?

• 1:02:36Alex Cooper?

  That's really, really cute. Um, okay, are you wedding planning?

• 1:02:41Speaker 01

  Yes, but it's really like a lot of pressure because like, you know, he designs like incredible spaces. And like, I'm like, there's like no space like worthy of such a wedding. It's really hard to find. It's not like a gazillion.

• 1:02:55Alex Cooper?

  Of course.

• 1:02:55Speaker 01

  Dollars. Wait, you got, you just got married?

• 1:02:58Alex Cooper?

  Yes, I got married almost two years ago, like a year and a half.

• 1:03:01Speaker 01

  Was that so fun?

• 1:03:02Alex Cooper?

  It was so amazing, but I really, really love that my husband took such um, part in the planning, if not like really helped do it. Because I was like, I don't want to do this on my own.

• 1:03:13Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 1:03:13Alex Cooper?

  And again, to each their own, there are some women that are like, I'm doing this whole thing, but like, I really wanted my husband to plan it. And we went through all these different locations and all the things. And then we eventually found what we wanted to do and it was perfect. But it is very stressful. It's fun, but it's stressful.

• 1:03:30Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 1:03:30Alex Cooper?

  So you're gonna figure it out.

• 1:03:31Speaker 01

  Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, I, we've both been married before.

• 1:03:34Alex Cooper?

  Right.

• 1:03:34Speaker 01

  So I'm like, this one has to be the most fun and.

• 1:03:39Alex Cooper?

  But maybe that takes less pressure, right? Because you've had weddings before, so maybe you can be like,

• 1:03:43Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 1:03:43Alex Cooper?

  What do we want now? You guys, you kind of get to like,

• 1:03:46Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 1:03:46Alex Cooper?

  Have a do-over.

• 1:03:47Speaker 01

  I know, which is why it takes forever.

• 1:03:50Alex Cooper?

  Right. You're like, oh, God. You're like, he's like, oh, we'll do this. You're like, no, but I did that, that wedding, and that was not fun. Mix that. Um, I was gonna say, because you guys have both been married before, um, as you were getting more serious, how openly were you able to just talk about past relationships and like what worked and what didn't work?

• 1:04:09Speaker 01

  Yeah, um, I'm very open. So yeah, I mean, it was, we're. It was pretty easy because I I'm pretty open, but you know, the thing is like, to me, it's just all about like chemistry. It's like what, you know, it's like we, he and I can be together and it's like easy, you know? And so I think it's like more just about like, you know how people like that person's the one or whatever. I think what that means is that you can be around them and it's like feels like easy and like not stressful and you know, it just like, that's what I felt when I was with him and I think he feels the same way where

• 1:04:50Speaker 01

  it's just like we can be together and like have fun, but also like he likes to tinker around the house. He's always like fixing stuff and he has like a list of things and like I have like I like to go out and go shopping, whatever I like to do, you know, and hang out with my cats. And yeah, it just, we can just be around each other. It's easy.

• 1:05:10Alex Cooper?

  It's amazing. You said in an interview that people think of divorce as this terrible thing and you have to hate each other, but that isn't true. What has your experience been like?

• 1:05:20Speaker 01

  Yeah, I don't hate anyone that I was with before. And you know, it's, it's awesome because my kid's dad is a great dad and like I always want to like support him as a parent and we have like a, you know, it's like we have a group chat, like Jonathan and Jacob and I and, and, and, uh, yeah, I mean, um, like my kids thrive when they know that we all care for each other and you know, and we socialize and we've been on vacations together and like, you know, we've, we've been through a lot. So, you know, I, you know, and it's like I explained to my son, I remember when he was little and he was like, wait, because he was so little, he doesn't remember

• 1:06:01Speaker 01

  like before we got divorced, but he goes like, how come you and daddy don't live in the same house? Um, and I was like, we get along better if we're in different houses.

• 1:06:12Alex Cooper?

  It's a good way to say it. This is actually better for everyone, but.

• 1:06:15Speaker 01

  Yeah, yeah, we get along great as long as we're in different houses.

• 1:06:20Alex Cooper?

  So true. Um, what boundaries do you think like, cause I'm sure a lot of people are like, oh my gosh, I'm that sounds so great, like to have like a healthy relationship with exes and whatever. But like, what boundaries do you think have to be in place to just make sure that, you know, you can have blended families?

• 1:06:36Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 1:06:37Alex Cooper?

  If you have any advice?

• 1:06:38Speaker 01

  Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I talk to people about this all the time because there are people like, it's really hard for them to let go of like feeling mad. You have to let go of like any anger you would feel. And I know that sounds difficult, but it's actually pretty easy when you just go like, look, the most important thing is that the, you know, the kids are happy and, and that they're thriving and, um, and, and it's kind of like respecting them for them, you know, it's like, I respect his opinions and his point of view, like being a parent is not always the same as mine, but like he respects mine. And, and so I think, and too, if you set the tone too, you go like, I respect you, then people are a lot more likely to be like, then I respect you, you know?

• 1:07:20Speaker 01

  So like, I think it goes both ways. So then he'll respect me and I respect him. And then it just keeps, and then the respect just keeps generating and building, you know?

• 1:07:29Alex Cooper?

  Yeah. It's like just having like an understanding that yes, things didn't work out, but we have these beautiful children. So to like maintain love there for the kids is like beautiful.

• 1:07:39Speaker 01

  Yeah. He's a fantastic dad. I'm so lucky that, you know, he's my kid's dad.

• 1:07:44Alex Cooper?

  Um, I know I read that you said you and your ex agreed to meet each other's partners before they met the kids. Why was that something that you was so important to you guys?

• 1:07:52Speaker 01

  Yeah, just, I think, you know, that's the one like really big unknown. Um, when you get divorced and, and I, I think it also gives a sense. There's a little bit of a boundary there with, so that the kids like, they get attached to whoever you're with. And if they're meeting the kids and they're around the kids, then they are going to get attached. And it's like, you don't want anyone to take that lightly. Like I wouldn't want them to get attached to somebody unless I knew they were going to be in their lives, you know? Um, so even if it, you know, so it, it kind of set up, it kind of set up this just a little bit of a, a protocol so that.

• 1:08:34Speaker 01

  We took it seriously before we'd introduce a partner to the kids.

• 1:08:55Alex Cooper?

  Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Southern New Hampshire University. Daddy gang, let's get real, okay? We like to make our own rules. Southern New Hampshire University gets it. They let you learn what you want with over 200 career-focused programs, where you want with 100% online courses, and how you want with no set class times. Basically, you get to call the shots from day one. Visit SNHU.edu/callherdaddy to learn more. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Ross. Fall is about finding pieces you love, making them your own, and creating looks and spaces just right for the season. Whether you're updating a small apartment or a spacious home, drawn to timeless neutrals, or bold seasonal touches,

• 1:09:41Alex Cooper?

  Ross makes it easy to imagine what's next and bring your fall vision to life. Ross makes fashion accessible to all with up to 20 to 60% off other retailers' prices on the brands you love. Find your nearest Ross at rossstores.com. You have a new movie coming out, which is why I'm in this crazy outfit, but we're celebrating the holidays, Zoe. Merv, congratulations. What can you tell us about the movie and just like, how do you feel about it?

• 1:10:11Speaker 01

  It's such a cute movie. I'm really, really excited about it. It's got so much fun stuff. It's a rom-com, which like, I love rom-coms so much. And like, I feel like they went away for a while. Like, there weren't that many of them. And I feel happy there's like, you know, more stuff like that coming out. Because I feel like people crave rom-coms. It's such a sweet story. It's with Charlie Cox, who's amazing, great actor, and is really funny and great in this. It's about a couple that breaks up, but they share a dog. And then the dog becomes depressed. And then they end up having to take the dog. On a beach vacation to try to cheer him up over the holidays.

• 1:10:54Speaker 01

  So we have holidays, we have dogs, we have rom com.

• 1:10:58Alex Cooper?

  Okay, wait, but you're a cat person.

• 1:11:00Speaker 01

  So I know.

• 1:11:01Alex Cooper?

  Did this, did this sway you to be more of a dog person?

• 1:11:04Speaker 01

  Well, I was a dog person.

• 1:11:05Alex Cooper?

  Oh, okay.

• 1:11:06Speaker 01

  So I only recently became a cat person.

• 1:11:08Alex Cooper?

  Oh.

• 1:11:08Speaker 01

  I love dogs, um, but they're a little more like maintenance.

• 1:11:13Alex Cooper?

  Yes, yeah.

• 1:11:13Speaker 01

  And, um, and I lo-, I actually love both dogs and cats and I would call my cats kind of, well, my favorite cat, sorry.

• 1:11:21Alex Cooper?

  Sorry.

• 1:11:22Speaker 01

  I love them all, but she's kind of like a dog cat.

• 1:11:25Alex Cooper?

  What is her name?

• 1:11:26Speaker 01

  Her name is Dove. She's like really fluffy and cute and she, the reason why, like I say, like she's my favorite, the other ones would get it, um.

• 1:11:38Alex Cooper?

  They're listening to this obviously right now.

• 1:11:40Speaker 01

  They're big fans.

• 1:11:41Alex Cooper?

  They're all listening right now.

• 1:11:43Speaker 01

  Um, but yeah, um, well, she just loves me the most and she like jumps in my lap. She's like really, really affectionate. They're, they're really affectionate cats.

• 1:11:54Alex Cooper?

  So what made you want to do another holiday movie?

• 1:11:58Speaker 01

  Well, I didn't really, when I read this, I didn't like think like that was like, it's, it's more of like a holiday movie in that it has holidays as a backdrop and you can watch it on Christmas and feel Christmasy, but it's not like, it's not like Elf where it's like holidays front and center. I'd say like rom com and dog are front and center and then holiday is like a, is an accent color. Yeah, it's like, it's like a, it's like piping on a sweater, like a collar, like a nice scarf.

• 1:12:25Alex Cooper?

  What was your favorite part of making this movie?

• 1:12:28Speaker 01

  Um, it was so fun. I, Jess Swale, the director, I love her and Charlie is amazing. And it was really fun working with the two of them and kind of, um, I, we kind of like did a lot of improvisation and, um, trying to make it like the most kind of funny version of itself was really so much fun. The, I hadn't done like a really big dog movie and that was funny to, to watch the dog just like love sausages.

• 1:12:59Alex Cooper?

  You're like, there's a lot of things I saw in that set that were

• 1:13:02Speaker 01

  The dog just like loves like they have these little bits of sausage and the dog just obsessed.

• 1:13:07Alex Cooper?

  And that's how you got him like, sit.

• 1:13:09Speaker 01

  Yeah, like he looks so cute and you're like, it's because he's looking at a sausage.

• 1:13:12Alex Cooper?

  Honestly, in hindsight, my dogs would probably love to be on a movie set because you just like Yeah. coerce them with treats every five seconds. Like, stay, sit, don't move.

• 1:13:20Speaker 01

  They have health. So like basically they give them like healthy treats so that it's not like they're

• 1:13:25Alex Cooper?

  Yes, they're not just plumping up the whole. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

• 1:13:27Speaker 01

  They're not like, they're not like bad for treats. So they're very healthy treats.

• 1:13:30Alex Cooper?

  It's really cute.

• 1:13:31Speaker 01

  But they'll give them like chicken breasts and stuff like that. But yeah, and sausages.

• 1:13:35Alex Cooper?

  Well, I'm so excited for everyone to watch it. Where can we watch it?

• 1:13:38Speaker 01

  It's on Amazon.

• 1:13:40Alex Cooper?

  Love. Okay. Well, everyone will tune in. Zoe, thank you so much for coming on Call Her Daddy. It was a pleasure.

• 1:13:46Speaker 01

  Thank you for having me.

• 1:13:47Alex Cooper?

  This was lovely.

• 1:13:47Speaker 01

  Very special holiday episode.

• 1:13:50Alex Cooper?

  Brought to you by Zoe and Alex. Happy holidays, everyone. You're like, now I wish, do you wish you wore, do you wish you wore a little suit? You're like, no, you're like, no.

• 1:13:58Speaker 01

  I'm mad at myself for not.

• 1:14:00Alex Cooper?

  Thank you so much for coming on.

• 1:14:01Speaker 01

  Thank you for having me.

• 1:14:16Alex Cooper?

  Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Ross. Fall is about finding pieces you love, making them your own and creating looks and spaces just right for the season. Whether you're updating a small apartment or a spacious home, drawn to timeless neutrals or bold seasonal touches. Ross makes it easy to imagine what's next and bring your fall vision to life. Ross makes fashion accessible to all with up to 20 to 60% off other retailers' prices on the brands you love. Find your nearest Ross at rossstores.com. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Klaviyo. So Klaviyo says it's your brand's best friend.

• 1:14:56Alex Cooper?

  Bold claim, but here's the thing. Klaviyo knows your brand, your tone, your customers, all your data in one place. Klaviyo's AI agents answer them 24/7 in your voice and build your campaigns from one prompt emails, texts, and WhatsApp. Plus Klaviyo finds your next sale before you do. It's time to meet your new CRM BFF. Go to K L A V I Y O dot com slash best friends. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Pandora Jewelry.

• 1:15:28Alex Cooper?

  Make their holiday unforgettable with a gift that says it all from Pandora Jewelry. I feel like the best gifts are always the ones that feel really personal, right? Like, anyone can buy you something nice, but when someone gives you a gift that is actually meaningful, you appreciate it so much more. And that's what I do love about Pandora. They have so many pieces that you can really just make your own, from festive charms to personalized engravings and jewelry that can represent the people and the moments that mean the most to you. So whether you're shopping for your partner, or your mom, your best friend, you can find something that really is specific to them. Maybe it's a charm that makes you think of the trip that you guys took together once,

• 1:16:13Alex Cooper?

  or maybe it's an engraving for your anniversary, or just a piece that feels like them the second you see it. Pandora makes it so easy to give a gift that feels thoughtful and personal, and makes every holiday moment even more meaningful and special. Because at the end of the day, the best gifts aren't just about the piece itself, but it's the intention and the story behind them. Say more this holiday season with Pandora. Shop now at pandora.net or visit your closest Pandora store.