Ariana Grande and the “Victorious” cast met for a virtual reunion over the weekend.
Along with co-stars Victoria Justice, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Gillies, Leon Thomas III, Matt Bennett, Avan Jogia, Daniella Monet and Eric Lange, the show’s creator Dan Schneider hosted the event over Zoom in celebration of the show’s 10-year anniversary.
“We were all supposed to get together tonight to celebrate the show’s 10-year anniversary, but we couldn’t because of [COVID-19],” said Schneider, 54. “Thank you so much for accepting ‘Victorious’ into your homes and for making us parts of your lives. It means so much to us how the fans have accepted us over the last 10 years.”
Justice, 27, had a few words of encouragement for fans isolated at home during the coronavirus lockdown.
“We love you guys. Thank you so much for supporting our show after all these years,” she said. “Ten years, it’s absolutely insane. We hope you guys are staying home and staying safe and staying healthy.”
Her message prompted Grande, 26, to raise a “toast” — by jokingly clanking her wine class at her webcam. The cast followed suit and took a sip from their respective drinks.
Premiering on the Nickelodeon channel on March 27, 2010, “Victorious” followed character Tori Vega, played by Justice, as she made her way through the fictional, elite performing arts school Hollywood Arts. The show abruptly ended its run after just four seasons in 2013.
Grande’s career took off thanks to the show. She released her first single, “The Way” featuring Mac Miller, released in March of that year, and starred in the one-season spinoff “Sam And Cat” with Jennette McCurdy.
The “7 Rings” singer took to Instagram for an extended dedication.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Qee17l9Bq/
“Ten years of victorious. Daniella’s post got me all in my feels now so i’m sorry for the mushiness but . . . jus [sic] want to say how grateful i will always be for being on this show and for those years of my life.”
Grande continued, “I couldn’t have spent my teenage years with a better, more funny, talented group of human beings. i really loved playing cat valentine (even though sometimes people think i actually still speak and act like that and her essence will lovingly haunt me til i die).”
Following the reunion, Justice wrote, “This made me happy. 10 years later. Can’t even believe it.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-OgBwHAHST/
“I’ll never forget how I cried at our very first table read. I cried because I was sooo frickin’ happy!!! This show changed my life & I’m so grateful I got to share it with this amazing, insanely talented group of people,” she continued. “We share memories together that I look back fondly on to this day & will always cherish. Thank you so much to all the fans who continue to love and support our show. Makes me real happy to see that it’s still enjoyed by so many of you.”
For his part, Schneider had lots of playful behind-the-scenes photos to share of the young stars on his Instagram page.
“What a day. We were ALL supposed to get together tonight for the 10th anniversary of our premiere. But obviously we couldn’t (#saferathome) . . .” he wrote after the reunion broadcast.
“So this virtual Zoom celebration was almost as fun! Two hours of laughing, reminiscing, and feeling happy and GRATEFUL for how YOU FANS have embraced our little show about pursuing big dreams. Much love from all of us . . . and more to come!”
Source: Read Full Article