Victoria Justice, 31, rose to fame while on Nickelodeon, starring in hit shows “Zoey 101” (2005-2008) and “Victorious” (2010-2013.)
In addition to her television career, Justice has pursued a music career and worked in the film industry, starring in movies such as “The First Time” (2012) and “Fun Size” (2012.)
When reflecting back on her time with Nickelodeon, Victoria Justice says it was nice to “slow down” after “Victorious” wrapped filming.
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Looking Back At ‘Zoey 101’ And ‘Victorious’
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‘Zoey 101,’ which aired on Nickelodeon from January 9, 2005, to May 2, 2008, was created by Dan Schneider. The series follows the life of Zoey Brooks, played by Jamie Lynn Spears, as she navigates her teenage years at Southern California boarding school Pacific Coast Academy (PCA).
Victoria Justice didn’t come into the storyline until 2006, when her character, Lola Martinez, becomes Zoey’s new roommate.
Following ‘Zoey 101,’ the actress went on to headline her own show, ‘Victorious,’ which was also created by Schneider. The show follows the life of teenager Tori Vega (Victoria Justice), who unexpectedly enrolls in a prestigious performing arts high school, Hollywood Arts, where she must navigate the challenges of the entertainment industry.
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Victoria Justice Reflects On Teen Stardom
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Victoria Justice grew up in the public spotlight as she began acting in Nickelodeon’s ‘Zoey 101.’
Following her time with the network and after launching her music career, Justice said it was “nice” to take a “step back.”
“I definitely took a break from music. I had a deal that just wasn’t working out anymore … for a lot of reasons. And so, I asked to be out of that deal,” she told PEOPLE Magazine. “I think I’d been so busy also for so much of my younger life, that it was kind of nice after all of that was kind of over to take some time to just focus more on what it is I want to do, slow down in certain ways and just kind of be more selective about what I want to do and when I want to do it.”
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Talking About The Music Industry’s Impact
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She says the industry will always be part of her life, despite stepping back from music at one point.
“I think music is always going to be a part of me, and who I am, and what I do. So I think even during that time when I wasn’t actively making music and in the studio as much, I’m always thinking about music,” the singer explained. “I’m always writing down ideas on my phone, song titles and melody ideas, and [sharing them in] my voice memos. So it’s always a part of me.”
“But I think even those years when I wasn’t making music, even those life experiences, that all comes into play into the music now. I also think, at the end of the day, music is such a personal thing for me,” Justice added.
The ‘Raw’ artist has since returned to the music industry.
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Victoria Justice Reacts To ‘Quiet On Set’
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Following the bombshell accusations against Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon in the popular “Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV,” Victoria Justice broke her silence, telling her fans what her experience was like working with the former producer and for the network.
“Something that was very evident in the documentary is that Dan [Schneider] had a very large ego,” she told Marie Claire. “Sometimes that ego clouded his better judgment and affected the way he treated people, and there were times I felt like I was being treated unfairly.”
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“At the end of the day, my relationship with Dan is a very complex one: I met him when I was 12 years old, and he’s the person that gave me this big break,” she added. “He completely changed my life. Most likely, I wouldn’t be here where I am today if it weren’t for him and for him seeing something in me. For that, I will always be grateful.”
Victoria Justice Reacts To Dan Schneider’s Apology
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“After watching his apology, I think he recognizes that he did a lot of things wrong, and I think if he could step back into a time machine, he would do a lot of things differently,” she told the outlet.
“Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV” is streaming on MAX.