Victoria Justice, star of the cult favorite Nickelodeon series “Victorious,” is giving us all the feels. Now she’s looking back on the surprisingly disturbing backlash from a totally harmless meme. One particular meme promoting public charging has made the rounds again. It includes a video interview conducted in 2017 with Justice and her co-stars Ariana Grande, Elizabeth Gillies, and Daniella Monet. The clip has reignited discussions about the dynamics between the cast members, particularly in how it portrayed Justice’s relationship with Grande.
In the viral video, Justice talks to her “Victorious” castmates. They shoot the shit about their singing chops and then have a vocal throw down. During this quick-fire exchange, Gillies mentions that Grande, who played the ditzy Cat Valentine, “sings literally everything.” In reply, Justice cuts in with, “I think we all sing.
“Victorious,” which ran for four seasons on Nickelodeon from 2010–2013, quickly became a cultural touchstone for many viewers. When the meme spread on social media, many viewers saw it as Justice attempting to discredit Grande’s musical skill. They were uncomfortable that she was usurping the spotlight they felt deserved to be on her. The backlash against Justice was immediate and harsh, resulting in a torrent of online hate speech.
I received tons of this incitement/hatred so much incitement/hatred. Justice remembered on the Knife Fight special Mythical Kitchen’s “Last Meals” show recently. She says that she didn’t expect—and was quite surprised, frankly, at—the depth of vitriol she got in return.
The internet had a distinct and collective reaction to this, with Twitter users tweeting in unison that “the internet has turned against Victoria Justice.” Justice admitted that the irony was not lost on her, especially since the segment originated from an interview that she filmed at the tender age of 16. It bubbled back up decades later, after she had already turned 20.
“First of all, it’s factual. We did all sing, okay?” she asserted, defending her comments in the clip. Justice went on to condemn the media instead for the spin they added to the narrative. “I think the media outlet that put it out put this whole spin on it. Man, I dunno, it must have been a really slow news day for them,” she said.
The constant negativity surrounding the meme took a toll on Justice. He had to operate in a rarefied atmosphere rife with anonymous vitriol and intimidation. Nevertheless, she’s able to have a good laugh at the whole thing. “I’m in on the joke. I even say it myself all the time,” she stated defiantly.
More than anything else, this incident reminds us just how quickly threats and misunderstandings can escalate. In today’s hyper toxic social media landscape, this rapid diminishment can result in concentrated harassment. What was once a positive bonding experience among friends for Justice has become more of a warning story. Today, it is an illuminating portrait of the challenges of fame and perception.
