Zoe McDougall Debuts In “I Love You 2”

“Have I ever fought someone for you?” Zoe McDougall asked, during a short interview that turned into a two hour pinch & zoom .

I have zero doubt that Zoe would fight for me. But she’s never had to. And it’s not because of my agreeableness. Zoe can disarm most mouth breathers with a single glance. 

My grandmother has the same magnetism. At 72 years old, her presence floods an entire room. Even the moodiest cockroach in a bar will prostrate itself for a moment of her undivided attention. Last weekend, a 30-year-old named Daniel bought our Tequilas.

Before you — our 80% horny subscriber base — comment: It’s all about those ASSets. Yes, my Grandma is an attractive woman. But it’s more than that. There’s something intangible. When you’re with her (and Zoe), some of their magic floats onto you and sticks. Instead of disappearing in their shadow, you feel like sunlight.

Zoe is a romantic. When she loves, she goes all in. Which is how her Pamela Anderson and lost-at-sea incident occurred in the same 30-day timeline. One day, I’ll write Zoe’s memoir and we’ll supersede this lil industry.

Until then, enjoy the 25-year-old’s latest release, “I Love You 2” — sequel to “I Love You” — featuring things she adores like Caity Simmers, Coco Ho, the 90s, eviscerating lips, pillow talk, and Hawaii. Below is 10-minutes of our phone call. Warning, 5% of the interview has to do with surfing. 

Coral: Zoe! What was the first thing you thought about this morning?

Zoe: Our queen Jane Goodale, RIP. I saw a reel then called my grandpa Jack, who also loves nature.

Favourite moment from the film?

The obvious one was my Haleiwa win last winter and getting chaired up by my dad and Uncle Brain Surratt. Also, just fucking around with Caity to that Anycia song. It represents a typical day of getting burnt and burning people at Rockies. 

Describe 2025 in one word:

Effervescent. I’ve waited a long time to use that word. It means sparkling, bubbly, or fizzy. Like getting my first wave at the box, going to Quik fest with the girls, and a lot of roadtrips. 

Roses and thorns? 

The roses were laugh attacks at Coco’s new house. The thorn was getting lost on a dinghy with the Rusty crew for 48 hours in Indonesia. We couldn’t find our boat. It was a cursed trip. That story will drop with our docuseries. 

What else is new?

As some of you have heard, there was a temporary engagement at the Nines, it was a fleeting Pamela Anderson moment. The kneel happened when I was on the stage after accepting my Insta360 award at the Nines. Gone now. I’m no longer engaged. Also, last year, I took off the jersey to film a new Rusty movie. I started working on my first collection with them. It’s earthy, has a bit of punk, and is inspired by  music — I can’t give anything else away until the release in June. 

Who is Ida Outhwaite?

I’ve always been obsessed with fairies. There’s this one painting hanging in my room of a fairy getting pulled by a fish that I decided to do a deep dive on. There were so many fun scenes that felt like an allegory for my life. So I made fairy memes. It was kinda fried. But they resonated with a lot of people. 

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Favorite line of a song this year? Why did it resonate?

Well, my spotify age is 40. But I did find something for you. It’s from the song Incomprehensible by Big Thief.

“How can beauty that is living be anything but true.”

And

“Let gravity be my sculpture and let the wind do my hair”

One time, I was sitting out the back with Jack Johnson at Rockies, and I took the opportunity to name a couple of artists, one was Big Thief. He said the most perfectly written song ever is “Certainty” which was nice validation. 

Most Capricorn thing you’ve done this year? 

Leaving my management and doing it myself. 

Spirit animal?

I have two. I found them on a Safari during a Rusty trip in Africa. One, was a lioness who had a crush on a lion, but the lion was on the other side of the fence surrounded by three other bitches. They would just stare at each other all day. I can’t stop thinking about her, poor thing.

On the same drive, there were four cheetahs. One of them was a girl. The boys were hunting together, but she was out there solo doing her own thing. I also felt for her. 

I know you are a student of modern and timeless fashion. As one of the most connected people, can you please make us a list of what’s In/Out for 2026: 

INS: Baker caps, Video premieres, Surf festivals (IRL life events), Matcha, California sober (All the gift lists I’m on are fake cocktails), Wavepools, Crossover athletes, Girls surf trips, Rock climbing  and Natural makeup.

OUTS: According to Vogue, boyfriends, Veganism, TikTok, Crocs( Why were they ever in?), Crusty wax jobs.

What’s on the horizon?

A partnership that’s bringing me to Miami swim week and Coachella. Can you cut it now? Can’t reveal until 2026.