Jonathan Scott Rescues Fiancee Zooey Deschanel’s Mentor from Extreme Clutter in Heartwarming Home Makeover
- - Jonathan Scott Rescues Fiancee Zooey Deschanel’s Mentor from Extreme Clutter in Heartwarming Home Makeover
Natalia SenanayakeJanuary 26, 2026 at 11:28 PM
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Jonathan Scott completely declutters and transforms the apartment belonging to his fiancee Zooey Deschanel’s mentor Jim in a new video
The HGTV star says Deschanel’s 81-year-old former high school film teacher was “hands down one of the biggest influences in her life”
After sorting through over 100 boxes of items and reimagining the apartment’s layout to create a more functional space, Jim is deeply moved by the final reveal
Jonathan Scott’s latest home makeover is one that’s close to his and fiancee Zooey Deschanel’s heart — and the emotional final reveal might have viewers wiping away a tear or two.
In a new video shared on Jonathan and his twin brother Drew’s YouTube channel, the HGTV star, 47, documents the process of helping Deschanel’s former high school film teacher, Jim, transform his apartment by completely decluttering the dangerously overrun space.
The process — which is also detailed on the brothers’ site, Drew & Jonathan — begins when Jonathan reads a heartfelt text he received from Jim after talking about his living situation with Deschanel, 46. Before reading the text, he notes how Jim, 81, was one of his fiancee’s mentors who “really transformed” her life.
“Jonathan, I have a huge favor to ask and I hope you understand my problem,” Jim’s text reads. “My apartment is where I used to host Sunday screenings for friends and students, and the LA Times even did a front-page article on me and my life as a teacher.”
Drew & Jonathan/YouTube
He notes that as his countless books and DVDs are “such a big part of my life,” he needs Jonathan’s help as “it’s very difficult to get rid of them.”
“More than anything, I just want my apartment to be my own Parisian Cinématique, so I can share my movies with friends and not be embarrassed to have anyone over. I’m asking for your indulgence for a week. A little help to pare things down would be great,” the text concludes.
After reading Jim's message, Jonathan starts to get emotional as he says, “It breaks my heart to hear how somebody who has transformed so many people's lives is struggling now himself. And so Zooey and I decided that we're going to transform his space for him.”
Jumping right into action, Jonathan meets Deschanel’s former teacher outside his apartment, where he’s lived since 1984. While discussing Jim’s “clutter problem,” Jonathan makes sure to express how much of an impact he had on Deschanel, sharing, “you are hands down one of the biggest influences in her life.”
Recalling Deschanel as a student, Jim says fondly, “Zooey always had a mischievous streak. She was so bright, and she was an actress. She was always great in the theater production.”
Drew & Jonathan/YouTube
After taking a moment to reminisce, Jonathan heads inside to scope out the space, which takes him a bit by surprise. “This is more clutter than I was anticipating,” he admits.
He points out the items that are spilling outside of the apartment and into the hallway. Once he gets inside, the camera pans over the endless stacks of DVDs and miscellaneous items piled to the ceiling.
Jonathan also draws attention to the exposed cables and wires sticking out of various outlets, adding that the setup is “really unsafe” and a potential fire hazard.
Drew & Jonathan/YouTube
He explains how the first step of the process is to box everything up and move it from the apartment to the brothers’ warehouse. There, Jim can go through his belongings much more easily and figure out what he wants to keep and what he wants to donate.
Once everything is out, Jonathan and his team can get working on the new layout for the space and complete the makeover.
Drew & Jonathan/YouTube
However, the removal process took a bit longer than expected: “We have way more stuff that’s been coming out than planned. I think we’ve had 100 boxes so far. We had to actually call in more help too,” Jonathan says.
When the time finally comes for the big reveal, Jim is completely shocked to see his spotless home that still has plenty of room for his collectibles.
Drew & Jonathan/YouTube
“Oh my god,” Jim says with his hands in the air. “I can’t believe…”
As he continues to assess his newly-improved space, he tells Jonathan, “It feels miraculous. I was living in a hovel, and all of a sudden, it’s a palace!”
Drew & Jonathan/YouTube
With a laugh, the contractor then draws Jim’s attention towards the “true collector’s piece” he added to the apartment, which is a photo of Jonathan and Zooey at her 80s-themed 40th birthday party.
Thrilled with the gift, Jim says Deschanel just “doesn’t age,” while her fiance agrees and notes, “she looks like a starlet.”
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Drew & Jonathan/YouTube
As the tour of his newly organized home comes to an end, Jim notes with excitement, “I’m ecstatic. A new life is what this feels like.”
Outside, Jonathan reflects on the whole experience: “That is just about the most beautiful reaction you could ask for. He is the sweetest man and I'm glad that he's now excited to have friends over, former students, people to enjoy film with. I think that will actually give Jim sort of a new lease on life and a start to the next chapter.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
