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The 79-year-old actor recently reflected on this pivotal moment during an episode of Zoe’s podcast, What in the Winkler?!.
Zoe’s Memories of Henry Stopping Her from Reality TV
Zoe, now 44, brought up a key instance from her younger years when she was a potential contestant for The Bachelorette, the long-running ABC dating series launched in 2003.
“Do you remember when I was in the running to be The Bachelorette?” she asked. Her father’s response was swift and protective: “Oh, my goodness, and we put a stop to that. But only for your protection.”
Henry’s intervention didn’t end there. Zoe revealed another instance where she and her friends, Sarah Howard and an emerging Kim Kardashian, were approached to star in a VH1 reality show titled Quarter-Life Crisis.
“Matt Hanna, an executive from VH1, flew to Los Angeles and filmed a sizzle reel of us. At the time, I had just finished college and was living at home,” Zoe shared.
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However, when Hanna visited their home, Henry made his position clear. “I said, ‘It’s so lovely that you’re here. I can suggest some great restaurants, but my daughter is not doing your show,’” he recounted.
The Protective Decision That Shaped Zoe’s Path
Although Kim Kardashian went on to become “the most famous person in the world,” as Zoe put it, Henry’s decision allowed her to follow her true passion—teaching. “I became a teacher, which was the best job and what I always truly wanted to do,” she said.
Henry, having observed Zoe in the classroom multiple times, expressed pride in her career choice. “I’m not kidding, [it’s] not because I’m your dad,” he explained. “Objectively, I saw it happen. If I were a young parent, I would have stolen your teaching techniques and used them as my go-to.”
Zoe began her teaching career in nursery schools after graduating from Loyola Marymount University. Her passion for nurturing young minds eventually extended to humanitarian work.
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In 2018, she co-founded ‘This is About Humanity,’ a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families and children separated in the U.S.–Mexico border
Transforming Passion Into Activism
Zoe’s motivation for starting the nonprofit stemmed from witnessing the challenging conditions faced by migrants.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she recalled, “I could not get the images out of my head of these children. I have a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 6-year-old, and having them separated from me would be devastating. I never thought I’d become an activist, but I didn’t have any other choice.”
Her organization raises awareness, provides resources, and offers support to families enduring separation. This chapter of her life underscores her determination to make a meaningful impact.
As Henry once said about his daughter’s potential career in reality television, “It would have just perverted your trajectory.” In retrospect, his firm stance proved instrumental in shaping a fulfilling and impactful journey for Zoe.
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Wow- what an incredible life choice, by an incredible, down to earth, non entitled, selfless, woman. Doesn’t surprise me, as Henry Winkler seems to be one of the few good ones left in Hollywood. He obviously raised his daughter with values and integrity. I’m so happy she did not follow the path of reality t.v. and became another Kardashian. Teachers make a difference in the life of a child