You probably remember her as the girl with the perfect cheekbones who survived the chaos of Hollywood Arts. For a solid decade, it felt like Victoria Justice was everywhere and yet, somehow, nowhere at the same time. If you grew up in the 2010s, she was the blueprint. She was the "it" girl of Nickelodeon, the one chosen to lead a massive musical franchise. Then things got... quiet. Or so it seemed.
The reality is that victoria justice movies and shows have undergone a massive, low-key pivot that most casual fans haven't quite caught up with yet. She didn't disappear. She just stopped playing by the "teen star" rulebook.
From Lola Martinez to Tori Vega: The Nick Era
Most people’s introduction to Victoria was Zoey 101. Honestly, her character Lola Martinez was a bit of a weirdo in the best way. She was an aspiring actress who wore goth makeup and tried out different personalities, which is pretty meta when you think about it. It was clear even then that she had a different kind of energy than Jamie Lynn Spears.
Then came Victorious. This show was a juggernaut. It gave us Ariana Grande, Elizabeth Gillies, and a soundtrack that still slaps today (don't pretend you don't know the words to "Freak the Freak Out"). But being the lead of a show like that is a double-edged sword. You're the "straight man" to a bunch of eccentric side characters. While Ariana was playing the ditzy Cat Valentine, Victoria had to be the grounded center. It made her famous, sure, but it also boxed her in.
The Great Post-Nickelodeon "Slump"
After Victorious ended abruptly in 2013, everyone expected Victoria to pull a Miley Cyrus or a Selena Gomez. A massive pop album, a scandalous image overhaul—the whole nine yards. It didn't happen. Instead, she took some risks that didn't always land.
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- Eye Candy (2015): An MTV cyber-thriller where she played a hacker. It was dark, gritty, and lasted exactly one season.
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (2016): She took on the iconic role of Janet Weiss. It was a bold move, but remaking a cult classic is always a gamble.
- The Outcasts (2017): A teen comedy that felt a few years too late for the Mean Girls hype.
She was working, but she wasn't "dominating." People started asking if she’d been "left behind" by the industry. But if you look at the 2020s, the narrative changes completely.
The Netflix Renaissance and the Thriller Pivot
Basically, Netflix became Victoria Justice’s best friend. While others were chasing Oscars or Billboard hits, she realized there was a massive market for "comfort movies."
In 2021, she dropped Afterlife of the Party. It wasn't high art—she plays a party girl who dies and has to make amends to get into heaven—but it was a massive hit for the streamer. It proved she still had that "everygirl" charm that made people tune in. Then came A Perfect Pairing in 2022. It’s your classic "city girl goes to a sheep station and falls for a rugged Australian" story. Is it predictable? Totally. Is it exactly what people want to watch on a Tuesday night with a glass of wine? Absolutely.
But 2023 and 2024 showed a different side. She started leaning into thrillers.
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- The Tutor (2023): She played a pregnant woman caught in a weird, obsessive game between a tutor (Garrett Hedlund) and a creepy student (Noah Schnapp). It was a far cry from singing about "Make It Shine."
- Depravity (2024): A mystery thriller where she plays Grave Shaw. This wasn't the bubbly Victoria we knew. It was moody, intense, and showed she could handle actual stakes.
What’s Happening Now? (2025-2026 Updates)
We are currently seeing the most active version of Victoria Justice since 2012. As of early 2026, she’s finally doing the things fans begged for a decade ago.
She recently joined the cast of Suits: L.A. as Dylan Pryor. It's a recurring role, but being part of the Suits universe is a major "adult" career move. It’s polished, fast-paced, and moves her far away from the Nickelodeon hallways.
On the film front, California King (2025) and the upcoming Send a Scare show she’s sticking with the indie-comedy and thriller vibes. She’s also finally releasing her debut studio album after years of "teasing" it. The 2025 singles like "Love Zombie" and her Christmas track "Santa Darlin'" show she’s leaning back into music, but on her own terms—not the network's.
The Victorious Reboot Rumors
Kinda impossible to talk about her without mentioning the "Hollywood Arts" spinoff news. In 2025, it was confirmed that a sequel series is in development focusing on Daniella Monet’s character, Trina Vega. Victoria has been very vocal about being "open" to a cameo. While she isn't the lead—and honestly, at this stage in her career, she probably shouldn't be—her involvement would be the ultimate nostalgia bait for Gen Z.
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Why Most People Get Her Career Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Victoria Justice "failed" because she didn't become a global pop star like Ariana. That’s a narrow way to look at a career.
She has built a massive, loyal following that consistently shows up for her Netflix projects. She’s avoided the "child star breakdown" entirely. She’s wealthy, she’s working, and she’s finally picking roles that don't require her to carry a lunchbox. She’s an example of a "long game" career.
If you want to dive into her work today, don't just stop at the reruns. Check out Trust (2021) if you want to see her in a messy, adult relationship drama, or The Tutor for something that will actually keep you up at night.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you’re looking to track her new projects, stop waiting for "Victorious 2" and start following her indie film credits. The 2026 slate looks like her most diverse yet, focusing more on ensemble dramas and streaming thrillers rather than the traditional rom-com path. Keep an eye on the Suits: L.A. premiere dates—that's going to be the real test of her transition into prestige TV.