Ariana Grande has always been a part of show business, from singing the national anthem at NFL games to Broadway performances before her breakthrough on Nickelodeon’s Victorious. In a recent interview on Penn Badgley’s podcast Podcrushed,, Grande reflects on her time on Victorious and admits to “re-processing” the experience.
Grande shared her excitement of being cast on Victorious as a young performer, but now she is revisiting her relationship with that period of her life. The reflection was sparked by the docuseries Quiet on Set: the Dark Side of Kids TV, which shed light on the toxicity present in kids’ TV shows from the 90s and 2000s, including allegations of abuse and discrimination on sets of shows produced by Dan Schneider, who created Victorious and Sam & Cat.
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Grande expressed concern for the lack of support for young performers and stressed the importance of creating a safer environment for child actors. She suggested that therapy should be mandatory for anyone entering the entertainment industry, emphasizing the need for emotional and mental health support from the beginning.
The conversation about the mistreatment of young actors in Hollywood is gaining momentum, with stars like Jennette McCurdy and Drake Bell speaking out about their experiences. Grande believes that mandatory therapy for child actors could be a step towards creating a healthier industry environment.
As the industry undergoes a cultural shift, Grande hopes that more safeguards will be put in place to protect young performers. She emphasized the importance of professional therapy to navigate the challenges of stardom at a young age and ensure the well-being of child actors in the entertainment world.
Before you go, read up on these celebrities who are opening up about their health issues to end stigma:
