It’s good being both. I always think of myself, in my mind, as an underdog type. But I’ve been called “it” girl so many times, at different points in my career. So, I guess “it” girl is sort of a flexible term. I just like working and having a job. It’s nice. But, I like that I have a show that the network is really behind and that is really fun to work on. So, I’m just happy.
When did you decide to do comedy?
I always liked doing comedy when I would do plays in school. I would play the comedic roles. I always think of myself as comedic actress. I guess later I found that I could do drama as well, but I really started out thinking that I was more of a comedic actress.
Jessica’s a very strong and very unique character—was she based on you?
I think it was kind of actor/writer kismet situation, because I know Liz Meriwether, who created the show. I know it wasn’t written for me initially, but it was sort of a perfect fit, you know. You go to a store and there’s a dress that just looks like it was made for you, but it wasn’t. That’s sort of like what it was like.
You’re often associated with the pop culture term “manic pixie dream girl.” Do you have any feelings about that classification and the debate that goes along with it?
Well, I think that it’s interesting. It’s this weird phenomenon. I don’t know who coined that term and how it’s weirdly broad and specific at the same time, if you know what I mean. But, I think that’s sort of an example of if you think of a dream girl, you think of someone that you’re looking at from afar, like someone who’s like a weird modern dream girl.
I don’t mind; I’m fine if that’s for some of the parts I portray. But, I would prefer to be a person that people relate to than somebody that people feel distant from.
It’s nice to be on a show that was created by a woman, starring a woman, even though there’s guy humor in it, too.
How have you adjusted to working on TV? Are you enjoying it? Have you faced any difficulties?
I really have, I think, adjusted well because I just love being busy. I love having a lot of content. I prefer to have constant stimulation. So, I like going to set every day and working with the same awesome people. I really like that, even though it’s really long hours and it’s a lot to memorize. It’s really exciting and it’s really fun. It’s fast moving, but I really love not waiting around. I like getting everything done quickly. There’s something exhilarating about it.
What’s your favorite thing about Jess?
I really love that she’s totally herself, even though she’s awkward and kind of nerdy at times. She’s not afraid of being herself, whether it comes out as being a little bit naive or something else, or just a really strong sense of self. She’s totally herself. I think that’s really nice to see in female characters, because a lot of times female characters are just reacting to the men.
Especially in comedies, I think a lot of time the female characters are there to provide a balance for guys. And, I really don’t feel that’s true with this character. She’s a real true modern woman.
What do you think it is about the “New Girl” that will most draw people in and keep them coming back to watch?
To be honest, this is a new world for me. So, I’m like that little kid, I don’t know. I have to say there’s something about this show—and I’m not saying it has anything to do with me, because I obviously wouldn’t want to say that—but I feel so lucky I jumped aboard this train, because the writing is so great and it just feels really special to me to be working on it. I can’t explain it.
It plays more like a romantic comedy than a sitcom, per se, even though it has some of the physical comedy that some of the classic sitcoms have. We’re telling stories that are not purely comedic. I really believe that you end up caring about these characters.
How do you juggle everything? How do you manage to unwind or de-stress at the end of the day?
I don’t. I go to sleep. At the end of the day, I basically eat and learn my lines at the same time. It’s really just trying to multi-task as best I can. Sometimes, you have to scramble to get stuff done, but I really love it because I love being busy. I’m a person who has a lot of energy. So, yes, I don’t really stop to rest or de-stress. I just keep going.
Jess has been described by the network as adorkable. Is Zooey?
I don’t know. That’s sort of like an outside description. Let’s say this: There’s a lot of Jess that is very much like me. I feel like I understand her very well. I feel like she is very much like I was when I was 13. I was not the coolest kid in my class. I feel like that inner dork is a wonderful thing to have. And, on behalf of middle-schoolers all around, I like to represent. So, yes, I don’t know. I definitely have a part of myself that is a lot like Jess. So, I’ll leave it at that. But, I don’t know if I’d describe myself as particularly adorkable.
New Girl airs on ETC on Fridays, 7 p.m. ETC is seen on free TV RPN-9, Sky Cable Ch. 14, Destiny Cable Ch. 14, Cable Link Ch. 12 and Cignal Ch. 14.