• Named for the male character in J.D. Salinger’s “Franny and Zooey”.
• Went to high school with her Almost Famous co-star Kate Hudson.
• She spent several summers at camp upstate New York at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. • She was also featured in the video for The Offspring’s song “She’s Got Issues” and the accompanying MTV documentary The Offspring Complete Music Video Collection (2005) (V). She also plays ukulele for the band ‘If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies’.
• Wrote a screenplay titled “Circus Girl” with friend Jackson Nash. “Circus Girl” involves a witch, evil flying red balloons and a giant diamond. Zooey plans to star in the film as the nerdy main character.
• Is a big fan of actress Parker Posey.
• Interests include jazz singing, philosophy, fashion and photography.
• Did her own singing in the movie Elf.
• Plays the piano and the baritone ukulele.
• Has performed with Jackson Nash’s comedy group, “Manifest Destinyfest”.
• Turned down a role in Bully to star in Big Trouble.
• Loves Ella Fitzgerald.
• Is part of the cabaret group called ‘If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies’.
• She pronounces her name “ZOH-ee” (not “zoo-ee”).
• Her last name is pronounced “day-shuh-NELL”, with “day” slightly more accented than the middle syllable.
• Is part of indie duo called She & Him with M. Ward. Their debut album is called Volume One.
• Ranked #95 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list.
• Allergic to gluten, dairy, and eggs.
• Was ranked #73 on Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2010 list.
• Sister-in-law of David Hornsby.