Victoria Justice unveiled that she faced death threats stemming from a viral meme featuring her alongside Ariana Grande. During a recent guest appearance on Mythical Kitchen’s Last Meals, the former Victorious star recounted the aftermath of the misconstrued viral video. The clip, which also starred her ex-co-stars Grande, Elizabeth Gillies, and Daniella Monet, stirred quite a storm.
"It was undeniably a moment where the internet seemed to collectively turn against me," shared the actress. "For an extended period, I genuinely felt like I was public enemy number one online. It was a real thing, a harsh and unforgiving realm... The phenomenon of mob mentality proved all too real."
In the 2010 Popstar video interview that resurfaced and went viral in 2017, the Victorious cast was engaged in a lively discussion about their personalities. "One fascinating fact about Ariana Grande is that she literally sings everything," Gillies revealed at the time. "She even started forgetting how to speak in her natural voice because she's constantly singing. And it's a blessing because she possesses an angelic voice."
When Monet pointed out that Gillies herself often sang, Justice jumped in, remarking, "I believe we all do," which some internet users interpreted as a passive-aggressive dig at Grande. However, the A Perfect Pairing actress set the record straight, clarifying that she was merely stating a group dynamic fact.
"Firstly, it's a fact. We all did sing, alright?" Justice elaborated. "I think the media outlet that published it spun the whole thing out of proportion. Maybe it was a particularly sluggish news day for them because, honestly, by the time they posted it, I was well into my 20s, and the interview was from when I was just 16."
Consequently, she recounted, "I received an overwhelming amount of hate. So much hate! I kept wondering, 'What did I do? What did I do?' I was just living my life, working hard, trying to survive. It was chaos."
"I genuinely received death threats," continued the Zoey 101 alumna. "My mom felt terrible; she was scrolling through all that negativity online, and she was beside herself with worry. Usually, I brush things off, thinking, 'People will say what they want.' But this situation took on a life of its own, becoming a major issue."
Nowadays, Justice finds the clip "hilarious," adding, "I don't mind. I'm in on the joke. I even joke about it myself all the time. Whatever. I'm over it."
Victorious, which aired on Nickelodeon from 2010 to 2013, followed the journey of aspiring singer Tori Vega (played by Justice) as she navigated life at Hollywood Arts, a performing arts high school.
