Zoey 101 Star Signs Contract with Nickelodeon

SANTA MONICA, August 13:
Nickelodeon has signed former Zoey 101 actress Victoria Justice to an overall talent and music deal, which
will include headlining a new original comedy series from Dan Schneider and a co-starring role in the upcoming television movie Spectacular!

Nickelodeon, with Sony BMG
Music Entertainment, is developing a series for the 15-year-old actress set at
a modern-day school for the performing arts and featuring original music. The
project will be created and helmed by Schneider (iCarly, Zoey 101, Drake & Josh).
The network also has tapped the actress for a co-starring role in the upcoming
movie Spectacular!, which is
set in the competitive world of show choirs.

Justice joined Nickelodeon
in 2005 when she was cast as a series regular on the network’s TEENick hit Zoey
101. For three seasons, she played
Lola Martinez, Zoey’s artsy and dramatic roommate at Pacific Coast Academy.

Paula Kaplan, the
executive VP of talent and West Coast general manager for Nickelodeon, said:
“Victoria is a rare kind of actress. She’s beautiful, yet takes a fearless
approach to acting. Kids loved her on Zoey 101 because she could boldly take a pie in the face or
just as easily tackle a dramatic scene. It is this versatility combined with
her musical talent and real-girl qualities that make her someone we are excited
about.”

—By Jackie Stewart