Hollywood actor Adam Brody has opened up about one of his few regrets in love — a proposal to wife Leighton Meester that he now admits fell well short of the grand gesture she deserved. The candid admission came during a recent appearance on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast, where Brody joined his Nobody Wants This co-stars.

What Brody Said About the Proposal

Appearing alongside cast members Kristen Bell, Justine Lupe, and Timothy Simons as the group promoted the third season of their Netflix romantic comedy, Brody reflected on his engagement to Meester — which took place more than a decade ago.

'I'll spare the details. However, rest assured, it was not as romantic as it should have been,' Brody said on the podcast. He described the proposal as 'very pedestrian,' adding that the only remarkable element was its speed. 'I proposed pretty quickly into our relationship. We got married fast, but other than that, it was very pedestrian,' he explained.

The Timeline of Their Relationship

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester first became publicly linked in February 2013, with news of their engagement emerging that November 2013. The couple married privately in Northern California in early 2014, making the courtship-to-marriage timeline notably swift by Hollywood standards.

Brody's Advice to Others

Reflecting on the experience, Brody offered a piece of advice that has clearly come from personal experience. 'I've learned, the thing is, you know, at the time, you're like, whatever, but you're going to tell that story the rest of your life. So my advice: Do it not even just for the moment, but for the story that you're going to tell forever,' he said.

Co-star Timothy Simons chimed in, suggesting that Brody's no-frills personality likely drove the pragmatic approach: 'I can see that from you being like, ‘Yeah, we love each other. Let’s just get married. Why are we going to do all this bulls***?’' Brody acknowledged the observation but stood by his regret, saying simply, 'She deserved a little more.'

Valentine's Day and Romance

Brody also revealed a general scepticism toward performative romance, admitting he has little enthusiasm for Valentine's Day and questioning why couples should feel compelled to celebrate their relationships on a designated occasion. The remarks paint a picture of a self-aware partner who values sincerity over spectacle — even if, in hindsight, a little spectacle might have gone a long way.

The third season of Nobody Wants This is currently streaming on Netflix, and the cast's candid podcast appearance has renewed public interest in the show ahead of its promotional push.