Zooey Deschanel Shares Awkward First Date Moment With Jonathan Scott
Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott have become one of Hollywood’s most beloved cross-industry couples, blending the worlds of television, film, and home renovation fame. The New Girl actress and the Property Brothers star began dating in 2019 after meeting on Carpool Karaoke. They quickly made their relationship public, charming fans with their playful dynamic and frequent joint appearances. Now engaged, Deschanel and Scott continue to share glimpses of their life. And Deschanel recently discussed her awkward first date moment with Scott on a podcast. Here’s what happened.
Zooey Deschanel dished on her awkward first date moment with ‘Property Brothers’ star Jonathan Scott
Zooey Deschanel’s engagement to Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott marked a major milestone in a romance that has captivated fans for years. The actress and TV personality began dating in 2019 after meeting while filming Carpool Karaoke. After nearly four years together, Scott proposed to Deschanel in August 2023, announcing their engagement with a joint social media post.
In December 2025, Deschanel went on the Call Her Daddy podcast to discuss her life, engagement, and busy holiday season. She dished on meeting Scott while she was finalizing her divorce from producer Jacob Pechenik in 2020.
“Right away, I was like, he’s really cute. He’s a handsome guy,” Deschanel noted of meeting Scott. Because she was in divorce mediation, she noted that she was “just looking for someone to flirt with” without getting into another serious romance. “I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll flirt with him! He’s fun.’ You know?” she said.
Deschanel said she and Scott had an immediate spark, though it took awhile for her to admit to her divorce. Eventually, they went on a “funny first date.” Scott invited Deschanel to see the house he was renovating, and Deschanel assumed he wanted to use the opportunity to kiss her.
“And then he didn’t,” she said, “because he’s just a nerd who’s trying to show me a house. And then I was like, ‘Well, that went really badly.’ And I got in the car, and he was like, ‘Oh, my god! I’m so sorry. You left really fast.'”
Thankfully, Deschanel eventually got the kiss she hoped for.
Zooey Deschanel never expected her engagement — and she thought the moment might never happen
Zooey Deschanel’s engagement to Jonathan Scott unfolded as a romantic, carefully planned surprise during a family trip to Scotland in August 2023. Scott proposed while the couple was visiting a historic castle, popping the question in an intimate outdoor setting with Deschanel’s children present. While speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Deschanel noted that she never expected the engagement to happen in Scotland. However, there were other moments when she thought he might get down on one knee.
“I had thought other times we might get engaged, and then it didn’t happen,” the actress explained. “And so I was like, I guess it’s never gonna happen. We’ve been together a long time.”
Deschanel then explained how she felt the day was “weird,” though she still didn’t expect Scott to pop the question. She was instructed not to wear a hat, even though she loves wearing hats. Scott also asked her to dress “kind of nice.” When she put on wrinkled clothing, Scott offered to iron her clothes for her. Then, Scott told Deschanel she should do her hair “for this random tour.”
“But then I got it,” she laughed.
The ‘Elf’ actress said Jonathan Scott’s best quality is his kindness
While speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Zooey Deschanel said Jonathan Scott’s best quality is his innate kindness.
“He’s almost methodical in making sure you’re supported,” she continued. “He’s very supportive and kind — he’s a really nice person. I mean, he’s Canadian. We love Canadians.”
Deschanel said that Scott would say her best quality is that she’s “fun,” though he’s not lacking in the entertainment department, either.
“He’s also really fun, too,” she admitted, adding that she also would call herself kind.
