Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies and Matt Bennett reunited at Northeastern University for a night of mayhem and memories. The duo first connected on the Nickelodeon smash hit “Victorious” as Jade and Robbie, which aired from 2010-2013 and launched the careers of other stars like Ariana Grande, Leon Thomas III, Avan Jogia, and Victoria Justice. The show became an instant classic, with its humorous and chaotic charm resonating with audiences across the globe. Even though members of the cast have gone on to pursue illustrious careers in varied industries, the bond between Gillies and Bennett remains strong.
Northeastern University’s Blackman Auditorium was filled to the brim for the sold-out Q&A. It was an especially tender moment for Bennett, as his dad is an alumnus of the University, and his parents were there to witness the celebration. The night began with questions about “Victorious,” going back to where it all began. Since the show was about a musical arts school, the showrunners wanted to cast real singers, and Gillies and Grande were already performing on Broadway in the musical “13.” Gillies recalls auditioning with Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway, while her costar, Ariana Grande sang Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten,” Gillies recalled. Bennett laughed about the fact that he is not a singer, revealing that they considered him for the role of Robbie after he first auditioned for another Nickelodeon show, “True Jackson VP.” While he was not the right fit for that series, they kept him in mind, with the role of Robbie working out perfectly. The story reminded students about to embark on their career journey that putting themselves out there can help them find the right opportunity.
Gillies and Bennett agreed that “Survival of the Hottest,” when the cast gets stuck in an RV, and “Sleepover at Sikowitz’s” were their favorite episodes, a proclamation the audience cosigned with cheers. Bennett appreciated the RV episode for its plot, but also realized that, as an actor, it was a rare moment where the cast filmed all together. The duo reflected on how fast the “Victorious” years went by. They would give themselves the advice to take in the moment more. Gillies recalls chatting with Jogia about wanting to become adults and break away from the child star perception when, in reality, they only spent 2-3 years filming. The biggest shock of the night was when the pair revealed they originally hated each other, with Gillies eventually warming up to Bennett, leading to their sibling bond today. He credits his writing skills for the outrageous songs that impressed Gillies’s cynicism.
Fans have a natural curiosity about whether actors are like their characters, and this is especially the case for the cast of “Victorious.” The duo believed they were like their characters because of a feedback loop between the writers and actors. Gillies peeled back the curtain to a memory of her chatting on set about her obsession with getting her eyebrows to the right length. When she was finally happy, the next week’s episode had her character Jade burn them off. This decision displayed how the writers slowly added the real-life personality traits of the actors to their scripts after getting to know the cast.
The fame they achieved through the show was a shock for the cast who came from smaller counties and states across the country. They filmed “Victorious” on Sunset Boulevard where paparazzi could come right up to the bars, making them feel like they were in a “zoo.” To stay grounded, the cast mostly spent time in a bubble at each other’s apartments.
Gillies is currently starring as Audrey in the Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors alongside Disney and “School Spirits” star Milo Manheim. She shared how special it is to be back on stage, that some of her favorite musicals include “Hair,” and that she is open to playing Megara in “Hercules,” a moment that sent fans into a frenzied excitement. With experience in pop and musical theatre, the singer has a deep appreciation for American Standards and music by legends like Joni Mitchell. She is set to perform these classics at Café Carlyle in New York May 6-10. She spoke about how she took her experiences on “Victorious” to her directorial debut in “Dynasty,” which she invited Bennett to guest star in, too. Her charm was especially on display that night as she complimented Northeastern student moderator Anna Eaton’s nails and asked her to share more about her Marine Biology major.
Bennett is currently touring the world with Party101, a DJ night where Bennett plays all the hits from Nickelodeon, Disney, and the 2010s. He noticed the pure joy and cathartic release people experienced when they sang along to songs they associated with nostalgia. Hits like “Best Friend’s Brother” from “Victorious” and “Come Clean” by Hillary Duff especially excited the crowd. Bennett’s signature surprise is bringing a genuine Sikowitz coconut to every show to give away, which prompted him to remember he brought one to the Q&A that night! He dipped backstage and ran around the audience, giving out the coconut to an excited student in the crowd.
The night ended with some questions from the audience. When asked about what big purchases they treated themselves to after “Victorious,” the two responded with rent, and advocated for the importance of residuals. Bennett shared how he now understands what “in perpetuity” really means. He acknowledged that younger actors today should receive residuals for shows that get infinitely passed between streaming platforms. The duo waved goodbye and escaped backstage – but not for long. Bennett’s genuine interest and excitement from meeting fans extended past the show, with the star bringing out his palate of dressing room veggies for everyone. He stopped to take selfies and high-five fans who came to the stage while Gillies chatted with fans outside the venue. The night was a whirlwind for students who grew up loving each project the duo starred in.
