Sophia Michaels
Fans of “New Girl,” here’s the scoop: Zooey Deschanel and Jake Johnson, along with their on-screen counterparts Hannah Simone and Max Greenfield, are not in real-life relationships together. But don’t worry; the stars do occasionally share glimpses of their actual partners, and it turns out some of these real-life dynamics are just as entertaining as the show itself.
Starting with Zooey Deschanel, who plays Jessica Day. During the filming of “New Girl,” Deschanel’s romantic status changed significantly. Initially, she was married to musician Ben Gibbard when the show launched in 2011. However, by that December, they were separated, leading to their divorce, which was finalized shortly after the show’s debut. In 2015, Deschanel entered into a second marriage with Jacob Pechenik, but they separated in 2019, following the show’s conclusion.
Currently, Deschanel is in a relationship with HGTV personality Jonathan Scott. They met while filming a 2019 episode of “Carpool Karaoke,” and their bond has only strengthened since then. Jonathan proposed to Deschanel in Edinburgh in 2023, and he is also known for having a great rapport with Deschanel’s children. Interestingly, he maintains a friendly relationship with Pechenik, ensuring a drama-free environment for the kids. It’s heartwarming to witness!
Jake Johnson is devoted to his wife
Next up is Jake Johnson, who portrayed Zooey Deschanel’s love interest, Nick Miller. Unlike Nick, whose life was often chaotic, Johnson has been happily married since 2005. He’s known for keeping his private life relatively low-key, but he proudly highlighted his wife’s artwork when speaking with production staff. His wife, Erin Payne, is a conceptual artist whose work even made it onto the set of “New Girl.” As a sign of appreciation, Johnson took some of Payne’s art home when the series concluded in 2018.
Johnson emphasizes that his wife comes first, stating, “I’m married, and I’m not compromising that for Hollywood’s version of success.” Thus, while he had great on-screen chemistry with Deschanel, his loyalty lies firmly with his wife.
Max Greenfield is also a content husband
Max Greenfield, known for playing Schmidt on the show, has a love life that mirrors his character’s complexities but ultimately stands on solid ground. He has been married to Tess Sanchez since 2008, and they are quite open regarding their relationship. They reminisced about their early days when they met at a bar in the early 2000s, humorously recalling Greenfield’s mix CD gift—aptly titled “Cool Jams”—just a couple of dates into their relationship.
As parents, their dynamic has certainly evolved. Sanchez humorously noted that their relationship shifted post-children, emphasizing the laughter they now share. Interestingly, their personal experiences somewhat reflect Schmidt and Cece’s storyline, especially about Schmidt quitting his job to take care of their kids—a scenario Greenfield faced after their daughter was born. “I was ready to stop acting altogether,” he disclosed, showcasing another layer of their real-life romance.
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You Do You: Greenfield’s Journey Post ‘New Girl’
In a conversation with Parents, Greenfield shared a memory of advising his then-casting executive wife to simply focus on her work. While it’s uncertain if this influenced Schmidt’s narrative arc in the series finale, it has undoubtedly played a part in Greenfield’s endeavors since the conclusion of “New Girl.” In 2020, he launched DADZ, a wellness brand aimed at fathers.
Hannah Simone Embraces Marriage and Motherhood
Fans of “New Girl” might recall that Prince had a notable crush on Hannah Simone, who portrayed Cece. During an episode of “The Mess Around Podcast,” she amusingly detailed how the singer had pursued her without success, even appearing at her workplace during filming—the famous table tennis scene featuring Cece was unscripted.
On a more personal note, sources have confirmed that Simone has been married to Jesse Giddings since 2016, with their relationship dating back to 2014. They welcomed their first child in 2017. Unlike her character, Giddings keeps their family life private, though he occasionally shares endearing posts about Simone and their accomplishments on Instagram. Their affection for one another is evident, despite their preference for discretion.
Lamorne Morris: A Single Dad Searching for Love
Not every cast member from “New Girl” is in a romantic relationship. Lamorne Morris, for instance, has openly discussed his single status. On his podcast, “The Lamorning After,” he lightheartedly declared his intent to date, with a key consideration for his daughter, Lily.
Though he keeps the identity of Lily’s mother private, Morris previously dated Erin Lim from E! News. He has been vocal about his commitments as a father and plans to include Lily in his dating profile pictures to set clear expectations for potential partners.
Despite his single status, Lamorne has remained active in his career post-“New Girl,” recently winning an Emmy for his performance in “Fargo,” a moment he hilariously shared on TikTok with his daughter.
Damon Wayans Jr.’s Unique Love Story
While Winston Bishop, played by Lamorne Morris, ultimately found love with Aly on the show, Damon Wayans Jr.’s real-life relationship with Samara Saraiva is intriguing in its own right. Initially appearing in the pilot, Wayans returned sporadically, but his connection with Saraiva developed in a rather unusual manner.
Wayans revealed in a 2020 interview that he was first set up with Saraiva’s cousin, but their chemistry didn’t click. The following day, however, he and Saraiva hit it off in a surprising way, which he humorously described as a quirky and memorable greeting that led to their strong bond today.
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