Victoria Justice
photo courtesy: victoriajustice website
Victoria Justice’s star continues to rise. The 20-year-old, originally from Hollywood, Florida, was the breakout star of her own hit Nickelodeon series Victorious and also starred in the 2012 Paramount feature film Fun Size. On top of that she is a budding sensation in both the music and fashion worlds alike. In her Nickelodeon series, Victoria played the musically talented ‘Tori Vega,’ who unexpectedly found herself navigating life as a student at Hollywood Arts High, an elite performing arts high school.
Victoria’s vocal talents are showcased on Victorious, the first official soundtrack from the series. The rest of the cast accompanied Victoria on the 10 original and infectious pop tunes. A number of the songs have turned into bonafide smashes, including the driving ‘Freak the Freak Out,’ which sold more than 600,000 copies on iTunes. Other hit singles off the record include ‘Beggin’ On Your Knees,’ ‘Best Friend’s Brother,’ and the shows theme song ‘Make it Shine,’ which was co-written and produced by Dr. Luke. Combined the album’s first four singles have surpassed 1.8 million total digital downloads on iTunes. The Victorious soundtrack when released debuted at #5 on the Top 200 charts and #2 on the Pop Charts in its first week.
Victoria has been profiled on top entertainment shows such as Nightline and was declared the new ‘It Girl’ by no less than Perez Hilton. She has come a long way from singing along to Barney’s ‘I Love You’ theme song as a tot growing up in Hollywood, Florida. The Seventeen magazine cover girl started appearing in commercials when she was only eight years old.
“I was always comfortable in front of a camera and loved comedy. I wanted to give acting a try, so mom brought me out to L.A. for the summer because she knew that I would love it,” Victoria said. “She has always believed in me and supported me in pursuing my career.”
Zoey 101 creator Zack Schneider cast a 12-year old Victoria as Lola Martinez, but by the time Zoey ended its run in 2008, it was clear that she was ready for her close-up. Schneider created Victorious for Victoria and Tori is a role she relished.
Victoria has been nominated for Teen Choice and Kids’ Choice Awards, an NAACP Image Award, an ALMA award, as well as an Imagen Foundation Award. The busy starlet recently appeared in her first ever lead in a feature film entitled Fun Size, alongside Chelsea Handler and Johnny Knoxville. She played a teenager who loses her little brother when they go trick-or-treating in the comedy directed by Josh Schwartz. The film was released theatrically in the fall of 2012, and is currently available on DVD.
Victoria is anticipating the 2013 release of her new solo album and has completed filming the third and final season of her hit TV series Victorious.
Victoria Justice will perform at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, August 14, as part of a national tour.
