Zoey Alicia Johnson-Jackson is one of the main characters of the hit TV sitcom, Black-ish, as well as the main protagonist on the spin-off Grown-ish.
Character Info[]
Zoey is the unimaginably pretty, smart, popular and stylish member of the Johnson family. Growing up in a wealthy family, with a father who spoiled her, created the entitled persona she has. In her spin off series Grown-ish, she’s known for her arrogant and selfish behavior. She often acts as if the world revolves around her and this lack of self awareness has been shown to hurt quite a few of her close friendships and relationships. However, as Aaron stated, even though she constantly screws up, she is never purely ill-intentioned. This arrogant and sometimes thoughtless behavior is tied to her desperate need for approval and everyone to like her, which is a huge issue in regards to her passion for styling and her initial failed friendship with Ana. In addition, despite her vanity and confident front, she is extremely insecure and, as noted by Luca, she doesn't value her own talent and rarely stands up for herself when she is taken advantage of. That aside, there have been a many moments throughout the series where she has done the right thing and shows up for the people she cares about. Zoey originally intended to become a fashion designer but has since learned her true passion is fashion styling.
One of Zoey's positive qualities is that she doesn't judge other people for their political beliefs, as seen with her friendship with Ana. While the majority of her friends initially iced Ana out for being a Republican, Zoey instead chose to listen and understand the reason behind Ana's political views. This stands at a contrast to most of her family and her current boyfriend. However, Zoey is clearly a Democrat, as she introduced Junior to one of her liberal friends after he was briefly Republican, saying "[they] just don't do that."
Grown-ish (Season 1)[]
Zoey Johnson is the narrator and main protagonist of Grown-ish and is often shown in the break of a scene to communicate with the audience. She meets her six core friends in Professor Telphy's class. Throughout the season, she obsesses over Aaron Jackson, experiments with drugs to keep awake for schoolwork, tries out being a player and managed to get a Teen Vogue fellowship. She even fell in love for the first time with a Basketball player named Cash Mooney, as well as losing her virginity and creating a debate over her future. At the end of the season, she had to choose between three guys (Cash Mooney, Aaron Jackson, Luca Hall) and she chose Luca.
Grown-ish (Season 2)[]
Zoey comes to the conclusion in Season 2 that she doesn’t want to be a fashion designer and that she wants to be a stylist. Zoey experienced quite a few issues during her relationship with Luca. They often had many problems to work out, due to lack of communication and dramatics, from both parties. Due to Zoey being on academic probation and seeing how she’s irresponsibly living her life, her father decided to cut her off. This forces Zoey to learn some kind of self dependence, which worked in a way because she got a job to pay for her own things. She has a temporary friendship break up with Ana Torres, when she finds out she has been sleeping with Aaron. Once Junior gives her advice, she apologizes to Ana and they make up. She loves connecting with clients to help them communicate what they want to say with what they wear. Zoey realized that fashion can also be used to convey important messages on a larger scale, which is why she created her own major, “The Sociology of Fashion”. After meeting Joey Badass at Aaron’s Black Minds Matter event, he offers her a job and she takes it. Zoey breaks up with Luca when she realizes that his support is conditional and that he can’t handle her having wins over him. The season ends with her going to London for the job opportunity of styling Joey Bada$$.
Grown-ish (Season 3)[]
Zoey's goal for her Junior year was to not focus on guys, which didn't workout too well because she hooked up with her ex, Luca Hall. The one night stand only caused more drama and confusion so they decided to break it off for good this time, giving Zoey closure. She becomes really good friends with Luca’s new girlfriend, Jillian. She quits Cal U after she realizes doing both school and styling was too much on her plate. Zoey is doing well in her styling career, with two famous clients and even scores her first music video shoot. Zoey falls in love with Aaron during the later half of the season but he already has a girlfriend. Zoey struggles with balancing her styling job while missing out on important milestones with her friends. Zoey shows a lot of growth this season when it came to being there for her friends. She was supportive of Nomi and very understanding when she was going through her pregnancy predicament, she gave Luca a job opportunity with Joey Badass and she came through for Aaron when he needed help to plan a protest and when he needed advice about an offer he received from the Administration. After an unfortunate situation at work, she comes to terms that she’s ready to return back home and reenrolls in Cal U. Aaron confesses his love for her and they get together.
Grown-ish (Season 4)[]
Zoey is finally with Aaron after three years of back and forth. She is happy, loves him very much and wants to make sure that they continue to always bring out the best in each other. Zoey crosses paths with Rochelle again when she has to get an internship. When she finds out from Aaron that he never told Rochelle about their relationship, she is upset. Zoey tells Rochelle the truth because she believes it’s the right to do, but is surprised to find out she already knew. Rochelle lashes out at Zoey for being a backstabbing friend and for shoving all that humiliation back in her face. Zoey decides to leave her alone and give Rochelle the clean slate she deserved. Before her father leaves, Zoey tells her father that despite what he thinks of her, she has matured. She tells him about owning up to her mistakes and facing the repercussions and never asking him to bail her out of any situation. Her father apologizes and assures her that she’s not the biggest disappointment in the family and they make up. Things take a bad turn for Zoey, when her boss Esme Sharpe steals her design with no remorse. When Zoey goes to confront her, she backs out because she realized she didn’t want to call out another woman of color. Luca took it upon himself to do it for her, which causes online to turn into chaos and mayhem. Eventually, Zoey takes the brunt of it all because her career and degree are now in jeopardy. Luca and Zoey make up and he offers her a job interning with his company, so she’s able to gain her college credits. Unfortunately, she accepted the offer without talking to her boyfriend first or the knowledge that he already got her the credits she needed.
3 months after graduation, Zoey takes a very Bradshawesque walk down a street in New York, and chases after a man who she thinks is Aaron but turns out to be just another tall guy with a rat tail. Arriving home, Zoey promises herself that just like at Cal U, she’ll find her people and her way. As she goes inside, Aaron pulls up in a cab outside and heads up the steps of her apartment, smiling.
Relationships[]
Cash Mooney - Zoey ironically swore off boys right before she met Cash, who approached her to ask where the library is. Dean Parker informs Zoey that Cash requested for her to be his tutor, which she accepts because she’d receive a recommendation letter for a fellowship at Teen Vogue in exchange. Once Cash shows up to their first session an hour late because of basketball practice, she quits but gains sympathy when he explains that he’s genuinely trying to pass his classes or his career is done. Cash and Zoey bond over things like, high school being so much easier for them but feeling out of place and too much pressure in college. Cash begins to perform poorly in basketball and confides in Zoey about how it’s his dream and now he feels like he’s never gonna make it to the League. Zoey is very supportive of Cash and gives him an uplifting speech about how he’s much more than just a Basketball player. Cash does well in his latest game and gives a shout out to Zoey for sticking with him when he was down. There’s a mini time jump where it’s revealed that Zoey and Cash have been dating for quite a while. Zoey gets upset when Cash puts her virginity on blast to defend her from internet trolls, even more so, when he admits he did it because her being a virgin is good for his brand. Zoey realizes she didn’t know who Cash truly was until she saw his real struggles and bad home life. Cash apologizes to Zoey and makes it clear that he doesn’t just like her because she’s a virgin and Zoey makes it clear that she doesn’t just like him because he’s a Basketball player. They agree that it’s them versus everybody else and they have sex. Cash announces on national television that no matter where he gets drafted or ends up in the league, he’s not going anywhere without Zoey. Zoey is struggling with deciding if she’s gonna leave with Cash when he goes pro, but ultimately decides to. Shockingly, Cash is the one to back out of it, due to fear of not knowing what to expect in the league. They break up, which Zoey is depressed over for weeks but eventually heals with time and support from her friends. Cash surprisingly shows back up with regret of letting Zoey go and wants to get back together. When she has to make a decision between him and two other guys, she chooses someone else, leaving him heartbroken. Cash and Zoey see each other at a party they’re both attending in Messy and are very cordial with one another. He tells her she looks great and that he’s happy for her after seeing her boyfriend there with her. Cash ends up leaving school because of a false sexual allegation investigation.
Luca Hall - After Zoey humiliates herself with Aaron via text, she goes on a date with Luca who takes her to a secret club that Kid Ink's performing at. They have a really fun time and share their first kiss. Things goes awry when Luca finds out Zoey has been dating both him and Aaron. Luca and Zoey's unlabeled situationship gets temporarily stalled when she falls in love and gets into a relationship with Basketball player, Cash Mooney. Feelings arise between Luca and Zoey again once they begin working together at Teen Vogue. Luca was not being as expressive with his feelings as she would like, nor was Aaron, who she also had feelings for. She gets a surprise when Cash shows back up in the picture and makes it known that he wants to get back together. By the end of the season, Zoey has to decide who she wants to be with between all three guys and she ultimately chooses Luca.
They date for the entirety of season 2 and their relationship quickly mirrored a rollercoaster ride. Some of the ups included, Luca and Zoey saying "I love you" for the first time, Luca being there for Zoey while she was going through panic attacks, Luca getting Zoey’s shoe signed by Michelle Obama, Luca supporting her failed styling attempt with Sky and Jazz, and Zoey supporting Luca during all his successes in his fashion career. The downs included Zoey caring too much about what other people think about their relationship, Luca and Zoey’s insecurities and jealousy with each other’s ex’s, which caused immature fights and Luca not supporting Zoey anytime she was thriving more than him. Zoey breaks up with Luca, after he comes to her pop up shop and insinuates that she only got the job because of her looks and not because of her talent. She realizes that Luca’s support for her is conditional and that's he’s not able to lift her up whenever she has the slightest win over him.
Zoey and Luca struggle to be friends again in season 3 because of the tension and non closure from their break up, but eventually they find a nice stride. That is, until Luca is offended when Zoey helps him out with a job opportunity involving Joey Badass. Luca brings up her playing him for Joey which she gets upset by, because it wasn't true and he already told her that he was over the situation. Zoey says they tried being friends too soon and it’s not working out, while Luca tells her that he was never trying to be her friend, he was in love with her. The intensity from the situation leads to them hooking up. Their one night stand causes only more confusion and frustration, especially when Zoey sees Luca in her new friend, Jillian’s dorm. They both have a much needed talk and break it off again, for good. By the season 3 finale, it seems Luca still feels some sourness towards their old relationship when he gets in his feelings over finding out that Zoey had been with Aaron.
Aaron Jackson - Zoey had an obsession with Aaron since the day that she met him at Freshmen Orientation on Black-ish. It only intensified more when she attended the same college as him. She’d mildly stalk him, find out where he was at all times and assumed everything he posted was about her and their non existent relationship. Aaron had feelings for Zoey too, but did not show it nearly as much as she did, which sent her mixed signals. While he was playing games and entertaining other girls, more options opened up for Zoey. He seemed to notice this, which prompted him to put a little more effort into showing that he liked her. Aaron and Zoey's situationship gets temporarily stalled when she falls in love with Basketball player, Cash Mooney. At the end of the season, Aaron confessed his true feelings to Zoey, but she ultimately chose to be with Luca instead.
Aaron and Zoey are still really good friends in season 2, despite her being with Luca. Though, it’s hinted they still have romantic feelings for each other on multiple occasions. For Aaron, it was the deeply sad reaction to seeing Zoey for the first time, since the rejection. Also, Ana drunkenly pointing out to Aaron that he doesn’t want to date her but he wanted to be in a relationship with Zoey. For Zoey, it was her having a meltdown after finding out Aaron was hooking up with Ana and calling him her ex multiple times (even to her boyfriend), even though they had never been in a relationship before. She also dreamed of a more romantic version of her and Aaron's conversation at his Black Minds Matter event, despite it being super friendly in reality. Aaron is left surprised and confused when Zoey kisses him at the airport, before leaving for London.
When Aaron and Zoey see each other again in season 3, they brush off the spontaneous kiss that happened months ago and stay friends. Their friendship hits a major speed bump when Zoey forgets to help Aaron out with a job opportunity, causing him to rightfully lash out at her. After some time and space apart, Zoey apologizes again and he forgives her. Aaron kisses Zoey goodbye after she quits Cal U to do her styling job, full time. Despite the "will they, won't they" back and forth, one thing that has remained the same is how much Aaron supports Zoey. Zoey even goes as far as crediting Aaron's support as the reason she is where she's at in her career. Zoey catches serious feelings for Aaron during her month away and hasn’t been able to get him off her mind since their last kiss. Unfortunately, when she returns back in town for a visit, she finds out he has a new girlfriend. Aaron apologizes to her for the uncomfortable situation but explains that after all their back and forth, he just can't trust her with his heart anymore. Aaron and Zoey’s dynamic is a little awkward, since she let her feelings be known without the knowledge that he was in a relationship. They find their rhythm as friends again, once they team up and work together for a protest Aaron put together. Unfortunately, the friendship bliss for Zoey doesn’t last long, once Aaron’s girlfriend Rochelle, asks Zoey to kindly back off from him. When Zoey is at Titanium and trying to avoid Aaron, he confides in her about his dilemma with the offer he got from Cal U before his girlfriend. Aaron goes to inform Zoey that out of respect for Rochelle, he’s gonna give their friendship some space. Zoey unconsciously slips out that she’s in love with Aaron which confuses and frustrates him, but also leads to him kissing her. Aaron and Zoey sleep together and this gives Zoey the false impression that they were going to be together. Zoey argues about feeling like a side piece after she sees him hand in hand with his girlfriend and Aaron makes it clear that she isn’t that but he needs time to think about what to do because he has a lot on his plate with graduation coming up. Zoey meets up with Aaron and decides to take herself out of the equation to make the decision easier on him. Zoey apologizes for the mess she’s caused and all the back and forth over the years and he lets her know that she can’t take the blame alone. She tells him if they’re truly meant to be, then they’ll be together later down the line... but if not, they had a nice run. Aaron shows up to Zoey’s home and nervously tells her that he understands what she said but he’s sick of waiting and confesses his love for her. He makes it clear that he wants to be with her right then and there, before kissing her.
In season 4, Aaron and Zoey are on vacation in Mexico with friends and have officially been dating for two weeks. They are excited to have a good time but Zoey’s mood is brought down when the group is not interested in hanging with each other. When the whole gang begins throwing jabs at one another, she storms off. Aaron goes after her and cheers her up by taking her on their very first date. Zoey and Aaron have a good time on their date by going to the bar, dancing all night long and even stealing a piñata. When Zoey sees a wedding chapel, she has the idea to get married and they do. After making love on a beach, they are caught by the cops and arrested. Zoey has a hard time keeping calm at the police station, so Aaron tries to soothe her before assuring her they’ll be fine. Unfortunately, in attempt to bribe an officer, Aaron is charged with soliciting a guard. Zoey is upset by this and lashes out at him which makes them engage in a heated argument that is based on who is to blame for the situation they’re now in. This leads to the both of them saying really hurtful things to one another that they don’t mean. Zoey confesses to her crime, which results in her having to stay one night in jail. Aaron is appalled by this and tries to stop the police from taking her but he can’t and he sleeps outside on the bench waiting for her. Zoey and Aaron make up and decide to undo their marriage, which they came to realize wasn’t legal anyway. Back at home, they continue to be in a healthy and solid relationship that involves supporting one another. They meet a road bump when Zoey is upset at Aaron for getting into an argument with Luca over her professional issue, after she asked him not to. After not being able to sleep without him, Zoey goes to his midnight class to see him and they make up. Their bliss doesn’t stay long when Aaron finds out Luca offered Zoey a job working with him, in order to earn her credits. Unbeknownst to Zoey, Aaron already scored her the credits when he went and asked Charlie Telphy for the favor. Aaron is by himself sulking, when Luca approaches him and subtly taunts him. Aaron punched Luca and leaves the party angry with Zoey, who is confused on why it happened. Zoey heads to Aaron’s apartment and finds a note left on the table with flowers, revealing the credits he got her that she desperately needed.
Zoey goes home to see Aaron. She’s hopeful about their relationship and apologizes for jumping into a work thing with Luca without talking to him first. Aaron admits he has a problem with her and Luca, but agree’s that Zoe should work for Luca’s company.
He comes clean that he won’t like it if they start to work together again, and that he doesn’t want to hold her back. He then claims that something has been off for a while, that he isn’t who he wants to be. he tells Zoey he wants to remove himself from the relationship so that he can figure out what he needs. Zoey cries before telling Aaron f*ck you and leaving! Aaron and Zoey break up
Aaron and Zoey get pie at the campus diner, and Aaron teases Zoey about her worry that he has a new girlfriend already after he keeps checking his phone. Aaron admits that he’s checking it to see if he got the academic grant that he applied for. The grant would allow him to take the CalU Afro Salon to another level, and he’s too anxious to even talk about it.
When Aaron awkwardly asks Zoey if she has a man, she teases him back and they end up sitting on the same side of the table feeding each other pie. Aaron is shocked that Zoey doesn’t like blueberry, and tells her she’s lucky he likes her. Zoey reminds Aaron that he loves her, and he reveals that he still does.
Aaron fully caves and concedes to Zoey that he does miss her, before asking her if they can do this again sometime. Zoey smiles, and the two end up in bed together. Worried, she asks Aaron if they’re bad people for enjoying time together while Vivek is suffering.
Aaron is sure Vivek is finding the silver lining in the scenario but tells Zoey that he’ll check in with him just in case. When Aaron picks up his phone, he finds out he got the academic grant for Afro Salon, that will allow him to take the salon abroad and teach students internationally.
Zoey is incredibly proud of Aaron, and excited until she finds out his first opportunity to teach internationally is in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zoey reassures Aaron it’s okay to feel happy about getting his grant, even though the day has been so terrible and tragic. Aaron confesses to her that the thing that’s stopping him from getting excited about his grant opportunity is them reconnecting. Zoey reassures him that he shouldn’t worry about their relationship and that she wants the best for him regardless of where he ends up.
Zoey wants to be strong and say goodbye with no tears, but before she can, Aaron asks her to come with him to South Africa. He explains that he knows it’s a crazy idea, but before Zoey can think about it too hard (or at all), she says yes. Aaron asks how she’s going to break the news to her family, and Zoey says she’ll tell them after they land in South Africa.
Uber, he goes over the last-minute travel checklist with Zoey, who’ll be meeting him there in two weeks. As he goes over everything they need, Zoey blurts out that she can’t go with him to South Africa.
Aaron is obviously confused and asks her why she can’t go. Finally, Zoey comes clean about the investor who wants to back Anti-Muse, and how Luca asked her to go to New York with him. Even more hurt hearing it’s about Luca, Aaron asks her why she waited until now to tell him.
She tells him it’s because she didn’t want him to think he was choosing Luca, but that she can’t imagine leaving Anti-Muse after putting in so much work and time into it. The only thing that could even make her consider leaving it behind, was how much she loves him.
Aaron starts to walk away, but after putting his bags in the car, he tenderly tells Zoey that he loves her too. He got her necklace with Africa on it, and instead of wearing it there, she can wear it to remember him while he’s gone. Aaron promises that just like she supported him while he found himself, he can do the same for her.
3 months after graduation, Zoey takes a very Bradshawesque walk down a street in New York, and chases after a man who she thinks is Aaron but turns out to be just another tall guy with a rat tail. Arriving home, Zoey promises herself that just like at Cal U, she’ll find her people and her way. As she goes inside, Aaron pulls up in a cab outside and heads up the steps of her apartment, smiling
Quotes[]
- "So... I was in love. That’s a normal thing to say after your first kiss with a guy... right?" -Zoey narrates about Aaron in If You're Reading This, It's Too Late
- "I still want to be a designer, and I still want to run Vogue, and I still want to organize a Met Ball. I mean, my dreams haven’t changed, and no matter what, I still want to pursue them." - Zoey to her mom in Cashin' Out
- "Not to be dramatic, but... I was dying." - Zoey narrates about her break up in Unbreak My Heart
- "I’m stunning." Zoey to Vivek after he calls her average looking in Wild'n Cuz I'm Young
- "There should be no secrets between us, like when I told you that I think Bow Wow is a legend!" -Zoey to Luca in Fake Love
- "Fashion has always been a powerful political tool used to communicate a message, positive or negative and that’s a million percent a real thing for me." Zoey to Aaron in Only Human
- "I don’t know that baby yet." Zoey narrates about Nomi’s baby in Close Friends
- "Deep down, I knew exactly what I wanted. And now, all that was left was for me was to go out there and make those dreams come true for myself." Zoey narrates as she quits Cal U in Age Ain't Nothing But a Number
- "Let me locate these hoes." Zoey narrates in Public Service Announcement
- "And so you know, I actually kind of get it... because if I was your girl, the last thing I’d want is someone who’s in love with my man sniffing around." Zoey accidentally revealing that she’s in love with Aaron in Over My Head
Trivia[]
- A recurring gag in Black-ish is that Zoey’s biological father is actually Rick Fox.
- In "Andre From Marseille", Dre says that he had Zoey's DNA tested make sure they were related.
- Since Zoey's birthday is May 14, her zodiac sign would be a Taurus.
- Though she portrays the eldest child in the Johnson family, Marcus Scribner who portrays her younger brother Andre Johnson, Jr. is actually a month older than her in real life.
- Zoey apparently had Lyme disease until Ana found the culprit tick and removed it.
- In "New Rules", Zoey reveals she has no reflexes in her right knee.
- Not including cameo appearances, Zoey is the only female main character to return in Season 5 of Grown-ish.
- She is one of only three main characters overall to return, the others being Aaron and Doug.
Gallery[]
