Whether it is playing the infamous Danni Sanders in Not Okay or the lovable assistant Harper in Set It Up, Zoey Deutch's phenomenal performances always leave an impact. For years, she's been giving us characters that we adore, wish we could be like, and wish we knew IRL. And now, as her new romantic comedy Something from Tiffany's hits Prime Video, we have yet another spectacular addition to the Deutch cinematic universe.
To celebrate the release of Something from Tiffany's, Zoey sat down with BuzzFeed to talk all about the best moments of her career thus far. We talked about her favorite behind-the-scenes moments about filming in NYC, working alongside her mom and sister in The Year of Spectacular Men, her favorite red carpet looks, and more! Here's everything we learned:
THEN: One of my favorite movies is The Year of Spectacular Men, which was written by your sister Madelyn Deutch, directed by your mom Lea Thompson, and you also starred and produced it. What was it like taking those real-life relationships and putting them on screen?
Zoey Deutch: Yeah, that was an amazing experience to get to make a movie all together, for so many different reasons. But it's so crazy that we did it, actually. It's not our relationship by any means at all. I think the sense of humor and the chemistry we have is obviously because we're sisters and best friends. But those relationships are not the same. So that was fun, because we were playing real characters. It was my first experience and foray into producing too, so it opened up a lot of doors for me and it was really fulfilling to get to make something together. I think also for my mom, who's been an actress for 35 years, to get to feel like she was creating something from the ground up and directing and being in control and creating this piece of art. Instead of just being like [a job she was] placed into, I think it was very powerful and special for her too. So, that's cool.
BuzzFeed: It must've been such an interesting experience to be directed by your mom.
Zoey: I guess to me, it wasn't that different because she's helped me in every way along my journey as an actress. I am forever grateful and indebted to her. Every audition I went to for the first five years, I ran it with her and ran it with her and ran it with her. So, I had experience with her directing me.
NOW: Something from Tiffany’s is such a sweet holiday rom-com, especially after your other 2022 movies Not Okay and The Outfit were a little bit more intense. What made you want to sign onto this project?
Zoey: It's very different from those other movies. It wasn't necessarily by design that this [order] is how they came out or were made. You never know. Everything is a process and a different process from the next. But my journey with this specific movie started four years ago, when Reese Witherspoon tweeted that she had seen a movie I did that just came out called Set It Up. She loved it. She wondered why there weren't more great, romantic, feel-good movies, because at that time, really, no one was making them at all. And so that spurred a conversation between the two of us. We were trying to find the perfect thing to do. And then we read the book Something from Tiffany's and just felt it was so beautiful and lovely and heartwarming. And here we are today.
THEN: You actually filmed this movie in New York City last winter, and as a bystander, it always seems so hectic whenever you see these shoots happening. What was it like filming this holiday movie during one of the most chaotic times of the year in the city?
Zoey: I've shot quite a bit in New York. It's my second home. I love it so much. But I would be lying if I said shooting outside in the city is easy. It's chaotic. I appreciate it, though. No one gives a fuck. People just don't care at all when you're in New York and if you're like, "So sorry, we're just trying to get one shot. Is there any way you could wait?" And they're like, "Screw you!" [Laughs] Like, you're just better off not asking anybody for any favors ever. It's always an experience and very fun. But there's no way to fabricate or create the energy of the city. So I'm glad we got to shoot a little there.
NOW: What was the wildest moment you had filming on the streets of NYC?
Zoey: Where do I begin? I will say I had to pee a lot while shooting the Bryant Park stuff [in Something from Tiffany's]. I definitely think I had a UTI. [Laughs] And there were no bathrooms anywhere. Security found that there's like this one public restroom that — maybe it's not always this way — was the nicest bathroom ever! And it's right next to Bryant Park. It was a saving grace because I had to pee every three seconds. That's a story that I'm sure you love that just gets you in the holiday cheery mood!
BuzzFeed: Wait, I've seen videos of that bathroom on TikTok! It's so nice.
Zoey: Is it still nice? Because I don't know if I entered, like, a black hole. It was the craziest experience of my life. It was so clean and so nice. There was a great vibe and everybody was lovely.
BuzzFeed: Yes! Especially because bathrooms are SO hard to find in NYC.
Zoey: It's impossible! I've never even heard of it. Like, people would rather like pee on the street in New York than use the public restroom there. I was shocked.
THEN: Our readers loooove Set It Up and your onscreen chemistry with Glen Powell. Are you hoping to reunite with him in the future?
Zoey: Glen and I are really excited and optimistic about finding something to do together. And we're actively looking. I love him, we'll find something great.
I'd really love to do another movie with him and Richard Linklater. That's where I met Glen, in a movie called Everybody Wants Some that Richard Linklater directed. I would love for us three to make something. That would be a dream come true.
NOW: What was it like meeting your Something from Tiffany's costar Kendrick Sampson for the first time? Did you have chemistry reads together?
Zoey: We met on Zoom actually, for our chemistry read. He was just so lovely and charming and so smart. We were all really appreciative of his ideas and input and he's just a great guy.
THEN: Have you ever taken a prop home after filming — if so, do you still have it?
Zoey: Yeah, I have lots of props. I got in trouble though recently. On The Outfit, I stole — or I guess I borrowed, whatever the word is — a fake hundred-dollar bill. In the movie, there's a briefcase filled with money in it. And I was like, "Oh, I'm gonna take one of the hundreds if they're fake." I knew they were fake. But I got a really intense call from one of the producers being like, "Did you take one of the hundreds? We can't find it." There were supposed to be millions of dollars. And I was like, "Yeah, but I thought it was okay." Like, we'd wrapped the scene. They were like, "No, we have to account for every single fake dollar because it's printed fake money." And they obviously take that very seriously when you're printing fake money, so I got in trouble for that and had to give that back. But I always take things. I ask usually. Just that one though. I just thought it was a piece of paper! But it made sense. I had stolen fake money.
NOW: And what’s a recent role people would be surprised to hear you auditioned for?
Zoey: Oh my gosh. White Lotus.
BuzzFeed: No way!
Zoey: My twin Haley [Lu Richardson], my dear friend Haley got the role. But I'm still getting credit for it, which is great. I didn't get it, but I'm still in it in a way. People are tweeting me like, "Who's who? They're the same person!" So, it's great. Best-case scenario. [Laughs]
THEN: Which of your former costars would answer right away if you FaceTimed them right now?
Zoey: It's a good question. I'm gonna say Dylan O'Brien, because I did this on a podcast once. I texted him and he immediately responded, but then I thought, "What time is it? He might still be asleep." Yeah, maybe he'd pick up.
NOW: You've gotten to work alongside a lot of people who've been in the industry for years. Who have you been the most starstruck by?
Zoey: Michelle Obama is pretty crazy to meet. Or Hillary Clinton, when I introduced her at the 2018 Global Leadership Awards. Her arm was in a sling and I think I hugged her too hard.
THEN: Over the years, you've had some pretty amazing red carpet gowns. What’s your favorite look you’ve ever worn?
Zoey: [The Something from Tiffany's premiere gown] is definitely up there. Or I wore this blue Valentino gown to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party one year. And then I had a custom yellow Fendi jumpsuit that I wore to the Golden Globes that I loved. I think that those are the two I really loved. Oh, I also, you know, it was very subtle, but I just love the dress so much. I wore this white Tory Burch down to the Met Ball, I just wish I had it still.
NOW: And finally, what’s your weirdest or wildest fan story?
Zoey: They're all so great. They're always so sweet. Like, they brought me my favorite types of chips and things and I'm like, "That's great. That's not weird. That's great. I'll take it!"
BuzzFeed: What's the coolest thing someone has ever given you?
Zoey: Someone from Brazil — she's amazing — she just sent me a mug for my birthday. With my dog all over it. It was so sweet. They're always so thoughtful. Also, I think the same person — yes, it was her — when I went to Brazil, she gave me The Alchemist, which I had never read and it changed my life. I read it one day and all these things started to happen, and she's magical!
