Ariana Grande, the multi-talented pop sensation, has recently opened up about her journey as a child actor on Nickelodeon and her candid insights into the controversial docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.” In a revealing conversation with Penn Badgley on his podcast “Podcrushed,” the Grammy-winning artist shed light on her experiences and the darker realities that often lurk behind the scenes of children’s television.
Grande’s acting career took off at a young age, starring in the hit Nickelodeon shows “Victorious” and its spin-off “Sam & Cat.” Both series were created by Dan Schneider, a key figure at the center of the Investigation Discovery docuseries “Quiet on Set,” which delved into the toxic cultures and alleged misconduct within children’s television shows during the 1990s and 2000s.
Exposing the Dark Side
The docuseries “Quiet on Set” pulled back the curtain on the alleged sexual abuse, harassment, and racial discrimination that reportedly occurred behind the scenes of many popular Nickelodeon shows. Former actors, writers, and crew members came forward to share their harrowing experiences, shedding light on the disturbing realities that often remained hidden from public view.
“A lot of people don’t have the support that they need to get through performing at that level at such a young age, but also dealing with some of the things that the survivors who have come forward…there’s not a word for how devastating that is to hear,” Grande expressed, her voice laced with empathy and concern.
A Call for Safer Environments
Reflecting on her own experiences, Grande emphasized the need for creating safer environments for child actors. “I think that the environment needs to be made safer if kids are going to be acting, and I think there should be therapists, I think there should be parents allowed to be wherever they want to be,” she asserted.
The singer-actress advocated for mandatory therapy and unrestricted parental access, not only on kids’ sets but in any situation where young performers are exposed to the pressures of the entertainment industry. “I think if anyone wants to do this or music or anything at any level of exposure that it means to be on TV or to do music with a major label or whatever, [it] should be in the contract,” Grande stated firmly.
Pushing the Envelope
While acknowledging the potential for exploitation, Grande also reflected on her own experiences on the Nickelodeon shows. She admitted that she and her castmates often “pushed the envelope with [their] humor,” incorporating inappropriate innuendos that were “snuck on to [their] website or whatever it was.”
“And the innuendos were like, we were told and convinced as well that it was the cool differentiation. And I don’t know, I think it all just happened so quickly and now looking back on some of the clips I’m like, ‘That’s… damn, really?'” she confessed, acknowledging the concerning nature of such content.
Advocating for Change
Grande’s candid revelations have sparked a broader conversation about the need for better support systems and safeguards for young performers. She firmly believes that for those pursuing careers in the entertainment industry, especially at such a young age, “there should be an element that is mandatory of therapy, of a professional person to unpack what this experience of your life-changing so drastically does to you at a young age, at any age.”
A source close to the singer also confirmed her stance, stating, “While Ariana’s personal experience as a child actor was not the same as those who have spoken out, the issues recently raised have allowed her to have a look back at her time as a young professional through an adult lens with a new and different perspective.”
