Victoria Justice Opens Up About Her Experience with Dan Schneider and 'Quiet on Set': Addressing Unfair Treatment

Victoria Justice Speaks Out On Dan Schneider

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Victoria Justice, who is now 31 years old, shared that she believed she was treated unfairly during her time as a child actor on Nickelodeon. She first gained fame for her role as Lola Martinez on Zoey 101 and later starred in her own show, Victorious, on the network in 2010.

She joins other former Nickelodeon stars in speaking out about their experiences and addressing the actions of former producer Dan Schneider following the release of the revealing docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.

In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Justice mentioned that she noticed Dan's big ego in the documentary. She felt that sometimes his ego affected his decision-making and influenced how he treated others, leading to moments where she felt unfairly treated.

The documentary Quiet on Set discussed Dan Schneider's time at Nickelodeon and the accusations of inappropriate behavior. It also included claims of sexual abuse, particularly from ex-dialogue coach Brian Peck. Justice clarified that while she experienced mistreatment, it was never of a sexual nature, but there were instances that she found inappropriate.

Victoria Justice Speaks Out On Dan Schneider

Victoria Justice arrives at the 2005 Premiere of “Rugrats: Tales from the Crib: Snow White” Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Schneider has since admitted in a video interview that he owes “some people a pretty strong apology.”

“I would say I’m definitely one of the people on that list,” Justice said.

Justice admits her feelings toward Schneider are complicated. She added, however, that the two are not in touch. They’ve seen each other in a couple of virtual and in-person Zoey 101 reunions, but except for the occasional birthday text, the two do not speak.

She expressed her disapproval of his actions but acknowledged the complexity of her relationship with Dan. They met when she was just 12 years old, and he played a significant role in launching her career. She credits him with changing her life and believes she wouldn't be where she is today without his support. Despite his mistakes, she remains grateful for the opportunities he provided. Dan himself has admitted regret over his behavior, wishing he could go back and make things right.

Schneider shared, "I can explain why it hurts so much for me. I vividly recall my initial experiences and my first steps into the entertainment industry. I was inexperienced, nervous, and thrilled. It meant everything to me to have those opportunities, and I was fortunate to have great ones. It pains me deeply that I didn't extend that same kindness to every employee who came to work with me."

Editor's P/S:

Victoria Justice's experiences