Elizabeth Gillies, best known for her roles on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and the CW’s Dynasty, recently opened up about watching the docu-series Quiet On Set and how it prompted a reevaluation of her past experiences. Speaking in a new interview to promote her upcoming film Spread, her first major project since Dynasty, Elizabeth shared insights into how the series impacted her and her close friend, former co-star Ariana Grande.
The 30-year-old actress, who also appeared in Sam & Cat, Big Time Rush, and voiced a character in the animated Winx Club series, reflected on the intense process of revisiting her childhood acting experiences. She and Ariana Grande watched the docu-series together and found it to be a moment of significant introspection.
“I certainly reevaluated my experience with Ariana over FaceTime. We watched it together, and then we got together later that week or the next week, and we sort of broke the whole thing down and talked about it, and reprocessed everything together. There was a lot to go through,” Elizabeth told Variety.
Elizabeth described the challenge of reconciling her positive memories with new information and adult perspectives. “It’s tricky when you look back on something incredibly positively, and then you learn a lot of information and also revisit things as an adult through a new lens that reframe the memories in your mind a little bit, or cloud them, or taint them — maybe rightfully so,” she continued. “So, taking that time to thoughtfully look back, reassess and reevaluate was an important thing to do, and that’s something we did. I’m very lucky I have such a close relationship with my cast — and with Ari — and that we were all able to do that together, because we definitely leaned on each other, talked amongst each other and checked in with each other.”
The close-knit bond among the cast of Victorious and her friendship with Ariana provided a support system as they revisited their shared past. Elizabeth emphasized the importance of leaning on each other during this period of reassessment.
When asked about the need for better protections for child actors, Elizabeth had strong opinions. “I think parents should be allowed to be wherever they want to be, whenever they want to be. I actually think it’s important that some type of a guardian is there, particularly if the children are very young. I would assume now going forward, things will be very different,” Elizabeth shared. “In the event that they’re not different, I do think the responsibility is on the parent to assess the situation. And sometimes, the parents are part of the problem too. I think you’ve got to listen to your kid, too, and know what kind of a kid you have. And I know that sounds weird, but certain kids don’t really know what they’re getting themselves into. A lot of the realities of acting in general, even if you take the word ‘child’ out of it — it’s grueling, it’s difficult. The child has to want it so much.”
Elizabeth suggested that a professional evaluation could be beneficial before a child enters the industry. “I almost wonder if a psychiatrist or a psychologist should evaluate the child and speak to the parents before they sign them off to let them be on a set or a show, just because it’s such a huge undertaking, and children don’t often know what a huge undertaking it is, and then they can feel trapped or pressured,” the actress said. “I think it can’t come from the parents. I think that’s always a recipe for disaster. It has to be what the kid wants, 110,000%, and they have to be ready to work. [Parents] have to make sure that there is respect on the set for the children, that they’re being treated as children, although it is an adult job. It’s a tough one, man.”
Reflecting on the evolving culture of the entertainment industry, Elizabeth expressed optimism. “I would say that I am really glad the conversation is happening, and the culture is changing, and I do think there will be a major shift on sets going forward after this year and after this conversation that we’ve all been having. I was very lucky to have really strong, really good parents, and they taught me to speak up. They taught me, in any situation I wasn’t comfortable in, to get right out and to tell them. [Acting] wasn’t the be-all, end-all. I don’t think that’s the same for every child actor. I think that some kids are scared to speak up, as you can understand, because it’s such a tough thing.”
Elizabeth also touched on the broader challenges faced by women in the industry. “The more we, as women, assert ourselves, the more we get branded as difficult or bitchy. But it’s incredibly important to portray yourself and assert your dominance as a strong, smart, aware person who not only will not stand for certain things, but also who wants to be a part of the decision-making. [Actors] can feel like a puppet a lot, especially when you’re a young woman or a kid. You are nobody’s puppet. You have to make your own choices, and you have to do what you can to be taken seriously. And yeah, I hope to keep doing that.”
Elizabeth Gillies’ reflections on Quiet On Set and her past experiences highlight the importance of support, reassessment, and the ongoing conversation about protections and respect for young actors in the industry. Her insights serve as a powerful reminder of the need for change and the strength found in solidarity and self-assertion.
