Following the news that Nickelodeon is currently in the process of creating a Victorious sequel series centered around Daniella Monet's character, Elizabeth Gillies, who played Jade West in the original series, weighed in on the possibility of making an appearance on the new show.
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| Elizabeth Gillies, notable for playing Jade West in “Victorious” and Fallon Carrington in “Dynasty,” visited Minnesota State Monday to talk about her experiences in television and theater. (Logan Schlosser/The Reporter) |
During a talk at Minnesota State University to discuss her career, providing students wishing to work in the entertainment industry with an insight on how complex it can be to work in that field, the conversation naturally turned to Victorious, including the upcoming reboot. Gillies revealed that she is not a part of the cast for the new Victorious revival, and confirmed that she isn't involved with the project, however, the actor is still happy for her fellow Victorious co-star, Monet, on reprising her role as Trina Vega in the new series.
“I’m really glad Daniella’s carrying on this legacy,” Gillies said, per The Reporter.
Although we may not be seeing Jade return to Hollywood Arts, other alumni have expressed their interest: Victoria Justice, who played Trina's sister, Tori, and Avan Jogia, who played student Beck, often Jade's boyfriend, in the original series have both said they're open to returning for the new show.
In February, Nickelodeon revealed that it was in the process of developing a Victorious spinoff. The new iteration will take fans back to Hollywood Arts, but instead follow Monet's character, Trina Vega, who returns to her "old stomping grounds as the newest teacher at Hollywood’s most elite performing arts school."
Though it remains unclear if other Victorious cast members will be returning, early casting is underway with Hollywood Arts as the series' working title.
Despite moving on from her Nickelodeon days, Gillies has maintained several of her friendships with her Victorious co-stars, especially with famed singer and actor Ariana Grande who has included the former in various of her music videos.
“We were on Broadway together. We shared a dressing room on Broadway together. She’s my oldest friend and she’s my best friend,” Gillies said.
For Gillies herself, she came from an incredibly musical family which encouraged her to become determined in working within the entertainment industry at a young age.
“There was always a lot of music in my house growing up. I have a lot of musical family members who would play the piano and I would sing with them,” Gillies said. “I just tortured my parents until they started driving me to auditions. My mom always drove me to auditions and anything I could find.”
Gillies then went on to become well-known for playing the intimidating, yet talented Jade West in Victorious. Her character’s aura of toughness and being thick-skinned made her an overall household name for young kids and teens.
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| The cast of 'Victorious'. Lisa Rose / Nickelodeon / Courtesy: Everett Collection |
“Victorious was my first big Hollywood job and TV show. And we literally were looking at the Hollywood sign. It was my first time in Los Angeles. It was very exciting. I was very young. I felt like I really made it,” Gillies said.
Gillies later went on to gain grander recognition on the CW’s Dynasty, a revival of the 1980s American soap opera. Playing the fiery heiress and businesswoman Fallon Carrington, Gillies explored the world and story of a wealthy family filled with explosive secrets and affairs and listed Fallon as a character who strengthened her.
“I feel my character Fallon on ‘Dynasty’ strengthened me to speak up for myself a lot, more unabashedly, not in an obnoxious way,” Gillies said. “And that’s always the strange double standard. You have to be careful as a woman not to be obnoxious when you’re standing up for yourself, but you’re not.”
Currently, Gillies is starring as Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors, along with thriving actor Milo Manheim as Seymour. With many aspiring students in the crowd wanting to be actors either on screen or on stage, Gillies encouraged them to keep pushing.
“You have to constantly work on your skill. Don’t give up. Constantly pushing yourself and trying new things. And for your sanity, finding things that fulfill you,” Gillies said.
With the work she and Manhiem did previously in Nickelodeon and Disney, Gillies said there is no competition between them in who provided the best work.
“He’s never seen Victorious. I’ve never seen Zombies. We lean into it and welcome all the nostalgia. We’re very proud of the work we both did on kids’ and young adults’ television,” Gillies said.
Educational Entertainment Chair Sara Gustafson explained how her position in bringing Elizabeth Gillies and having her
“It’s really important, especially for people in the entertainment industry, that success isn’t always going to be the first thing you experience. A lot of these artists… there’s times where you fail,” Gustafson said. “You might not have a job for a certain period of time, but being persistent and going for what your dreams and goals are is always worth it in the end, and this can even be reflected in other jobs.”
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Originally published: April 02, 2025.
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