Photography: Eric Silverberg
Styling: Lisette Mora
MUA: Gloria Noto @ Jed Root . Hair: Caile Noble @ Jed Root
Interview: Sailey Williams
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Nickelodeon’s Victorious superstar Victoria Justice talks to XEX about her, road to stardom, upcoming film projects, her influential fashion style & thoughts about being the new teen queen of television!
XEX: You started your career modeling in Hollywood Florida @ 8 years old and now you live and work in Hollywood California, how much has this transition changed your life?
VICTORIA: This transition has changed my life in almost every way. I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities back home in Hollywood, Florida. If you really want to get into acting you really need to be in Los Angeles or New York. All of the studios and most of your networks are out here. My family has been so supportive, they all moved out here to give me a chance to give this a try. It was a huge change moving 3,000 miles to California. I wouldn’t have my own show on Nickelodeon or be where I am today if they hadn’t believed in me and helped me pursue this. I will say though, that we’ve all adapted really well and love California. Hollywood Florida will always be special and my hometown.
XEX: Tell us about your lead role of “Wren” in Gossip Girl-co-creator Josh Schwartz‘s film Fun Size (released October 12, 2012), tell us about that experience, we hear you were a little hesitant about the accepting the role?
VICTORIA: “Wren” is a teenage girl who’s trying to figure it out and also going through a rocky relationship with her mother (like a lot of teenage girls). She is stuck taking her brother out for Halloween and ends up losing him. All kinds of chaos ensues, and it all takes place in one night. I’m not going to give any more away. You’ll have to wait and see the movie when it comes out in theaters Oct. 21.
As for accepting the role, it was never just offered to me. I had to audition for it like everyone else who was interested in it. I was a little hesitant about going into audition at first, only because the movie was edgier than what I do on Nickelodeon and I didn’t want to waste my time or anyone else’s if I couldn’t see myself in the role. I’m so careful to choose projects that I feel represent the Nickelodeon brand or don’t stray too far from it. I’ve always loved the script, I just wasn’t sure if it was for me. Josh Schwartz (the director/producer) of the movie had sent me a sizzle reel, so I could get a better sense of the tone of the film. It was after watching that, that I knew I wanted to go all out for this movie. I loved his vision for the film and what he was looking to achieve. The movie marks my first starring role and also marks Josh Schwartz’s film directorial debut. It was amazing to go on the journey together.
XEX: You have been crowned the new teen queen of television, how do you feel about being part of such an amazing legacy of teen actresses?
VICTORIA: I don’t know about “the new teen queen” but I definitely feel part of a very privileged club (Miley, Demi, Selena and Miranda Cosgrove). I feel very grateful and I feel like right now there’s no better time to be doing what I’m doing. It’s such an amazing platform to launch from and it will be interesting to see where we all are five years from now, stay tuned…
XEX: Nickelodeons Victorious is seen by millions around the country/world, how do you think your character Tori Vega impacts young adult’s wardrobe choices on a daily basis?
VICTORIA: The clothes on the show are great and I definitely have influence of what I wear on the show. Tori Vega is definitely a jeans and boots kinda girl, which is very similar to my real life. I’m a little bit more casual than she is though. I get a lot of tweets and a lot of comments on Facebook about the wardobe for the show, but I don’t know if it impacts anyone’s choices about what they’re going to wear that day.
XEX: Artists such as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry are known to illustrate an on stage performance persona through bizarre and quirky wardrobe, how does your fashion sense and wardrobe choice differ from actress to music artist?
VICTORIA: There is definitely a difference especially in my red carpet style. My real life style is probably closer to what a musician would wear than what an actress would wear. As an actress I would wear something more conservative on a talk show, meetings and most events. If I’m doing something that has to do with music the vibe is definitely more edgy. I will still let my own personal style come through though no matter what I’m doing. It still has to feel like me.
XEX: From the moment a young girl watches her first Disney Princess movie they dream about being in a beautiful ball gown headed to a magical event, as a young adult who is the designer you dream of wearing to create that enchanting red carpet moment?
VICTORIOUS: This is an almost impossible question to answer for me, because there are so many designers that I would love to wear. It’s funny that you’re asking me this question now, because the timing of it couldn’t be better. I just found out recently that I’ve been invited to the “Met Ball” (which most people would say is the Academy Awards for fashion) in May. Talk about a Cinderella moment… I will be wearing a beautiful designer gown and headed to a magical event. I wish I could tell you who the designer will be, but I haven’t even begun trying anything on. Ask me again in a few months and I’ll let you know. In the meantime, I’m going to have a ton of fun trying things on.
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