In a viral clip posted on Twitter, resurfaced footage of Ariana Grande as a teen actor on the Nickelodeon series Victorious shows her being “sexualized and infantilized.”
Grande played the character Cat Valentine in the children’s TV series from 2010 to 2013. Clips shared online reveal how the star, now 29, was sexualized, according to Twitter user @VERONASFILMS, who made a thread about it.
The video has been viewed 3.4 million times as of Tuesday (August 16) and shows the “7 Rings” singer performing sexually suggestive acts like putting her fingers down her throat, putting her toes in her mouth and pouring water all over her face and chest while laying upside down on a bed. Another part of the video shows Grande’s character attempting to “juice” a potato, showing the star squeezing the object while making groaning noises.
The clips came from a segment on the show called “Cat’s Random Thoughts,” which was written and directed by TV producer Dan Schneider. The backlash over the controversial videos follows recent accusations from Grande’s former co-star on Sam & Cat, Jennette McCurdy.
In McCurdy’s new memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, the former actress claimed that she was photographed wearing a bikini, told to drink alcohol by “The Creator” (which has been widely interpreted as Schneider) and given unwanted massages when she was a teen actor at Nickelodeon.
everyone keeps bringing ariana grande for stan drama against jennette and idk why. let’s not forget, ariana is a victim herself from the creepiness of dan schneider. this is why she doesn’t talk about the role of cat valentine anymore. they sexualized and infantilized her. pic.twitter.com/72MrdW2j33
— khalia. | FLOnomenal stan ☀️ (@VERONASFILMS) August 11, 2022
According to a New York Times article from June 2021, Nickelodeon cut ties with Schneider after evidence of “verbal abuse” towards colleagues emerged. In an interview with the publication, the TV producer said accusations that he “sexualized” young actors were “ridiculous lies.”
Schneider said, “The comedy was totally innocent. I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t have the long-term friendships and continued loyalty from so many reputable people if I’d mistreated my actors of any age, especially minors.”
Dan Schneider also produced popular Nickelodeon shows iCarly and Zoey 101 and the Good Burger movie starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell.
