The TV Addict 

With Zooey Deschanel there’s no one specific thing that makes me have such a big crush on her. It’s rather the amalgamation of so many things that make her so adorable and admirable. It’s the knee-weakening sexy, sultry, raspy voice. It’s that face that somehow manages to be both gorgeous and utterly cute at the same time. It’s that sheepish smile that seems to always suggest she knows something you don’t, but likes you anyway. It’s her dry, devilish (and funny) wit. It’s the expressive and lively eyes that seem to convey so much warmth, regardless of where they are directed. It’s her range of talent that allows her to seem at home in both mainstream Hollywood films and quirky, dramatic indie flicks. It’s the major hipness credit she gets for being the lead singer in an indie music band (She & Him), and the fact that she has a phenomenal voice.

It’s the personality that comes across both in her public appearances and in her film roles of being an endearing, adorable, down-to-earth everyday woman. She seems completely natural and totally at ease with who she is, and the world around her (check out the Kimmel interview below to see what I mean). She’s the type you could see yourself talking to into the wee hours of the morning about everything and nothing. The type who would be happy going on silly mini-golf adventures, dressing to the nines for a night on the town, or watching movies together (she loves old movies, especially screwball comedies, another thing I love about her).

In other words, she’s any sensitive, emo-like, artsy (or film buff’s) guy’s dream woman. Or maybe just mine. That’s probably why this entry of my Hollywood Crush column probably sounds like a laundry list of what theREELaddict looks for in a woman, or a bizarre personal ad, or an unsettling example of celebrity worship. The thing is, many Hollywood crushes are nothing but appreciation for someone’s looks and talents. You don’t invest yourself too much into their on-screen personas or even off-screen ones, because it’s Hollywood and I imagine most of that is illusion or image management anyway.

Zooey though seems to be one of those refreshingly few examples where you get the sense that the persona you see on and off screen is actually pretty close to her real one. I could be wrong, because what do I know about the real life of Zooey Deschanel, but you watch enough films and you feel you develop a sense for what’s coming from a genuine place and what isn’t. Zooey seems 100% genuine. That’s why I think she’s such a charming actress and person. That’s why I think she would be a good person to hang out with. And yes, that’s why I think she’d (or someone like her) be a great girl to date. Hey, a man can dream, right?