Zooey Deschanel Says ‘New Girl’ Emmy Nod is ‘Moment You Dream About’

Manic Pixie Dream Girl archetype Zooey Deschanel got some dancing-in-the-rain worthy news this morning, learning that her Fox show The New Girl had gotten her nominated for an Emmy Award.

Zooey Deschanel is up for a prominent Emmy as well, getting nominated in the category for “Best Actress in a Comedy Series,” and the star is very pleased with the announcement. According to EW, Deschanel woke to an avalanche of well wishes after the nominees were disclosed, and she says that the nomination is literally a dream come true.

Of the honor, Zooey Deschanel explains:

“I wanted to be an actress since I was 2-years-old… It’s always been my dream and ambition. This is the kind of moment you dream about. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I could have this incredible honor and recognition. It’s just so exciting.”

Deschanel says that even without the accolades, she’s very grateful for her career, adding:

“I have such a great job that’s just such an incredible gift, and I always want to be doing the work because I love the work and not for some other reason. [But] it just means so much to have this nomination.”

In the category, Zooey Deschanel’s competition is pretty fierce. The wide-eyed actress and chanteuse is up against Lena Dunham in “Girls,” Bridesmaids breakout star Melissa McCarthy for “Mike & Molly, Sopranos alum Edie Falco in “Nurse Jackie,” SNL staple Amy Poehler for “Parks and Recreation,” fellow late-nighter Tina Fey of “30 Rock” and finally, Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus for “Veep.”