If you spent any time on Nickelodeon during the early 2010s, you know her. The black hair. The colorful streaks. The scissors. The terrifyingly cool glare. Elizabeth Gillies is the answer to who played Jade in Victorious, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else filling those combat boots. While the show was technically a vehicle for Victoria Justice, a huge chunk of the cult following that persists today is thanks to Jade West. She wasn't just a "mean girl." She was a mood.
It’s kinda wild to look back at Hollywood Arts and realize how much Elizabeth—often called Liz by fans—brought to a character that could have easily been a one-dimensional bully. Instead, she turned Jade into a complex, darkly hilarious, and weirdly relatable teenager.
The Casting That Changed Everything
Liz Gillies didn't just walk onto the set of Victorious as a newcomer. She and Ariana Grande actually came from the Broadway world. They both starred in the musical 13 before Dan Schneider cast them for his next big Nick project. That Broadway pedigree is exactly why the vocals on that show were so consistently insane.
When you ask who played Jade in Victorious, you aren’t just asking about an actress; you’re asking about a vocalist who could go riff-for-riff with some of the best in the business. Liz has this deep, soulful rasp that stood out against the "bubblegum" pop sound typical of that era.
Why the Audition Mattered
Most people don't realize how young she was. Born in 1993, Liz was just a teenager herself when she started playing the cynical, sharp-tongued Jade West. She played the role from 2010 to 2013, appearing in nearly every episode.
She reportedly leaned into the "scary" vibe during her auditions. She wasn't trying to be liked. She was trying to be Jade. That authenticity is what sold the producers. They needed someone who could be Beck’s girlfriend and Tori’s foil without becoming a caricature.
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Jade West: More Than Just a Goth Aesthetic
Let’s talk about the character. Jade West was basically the antithesis of everything Nickelodeon usually stood for. She was cynical. She hated "happy" things. She had a strange obsession with pruning shears and fake blood.
- The Style: Combat boots, piercings (real and fake), and those iconic hair extensions.
- The Relationships: Her relationship with Beck Oliver (played by Avan Jogia) was one of the first "toxic yet we ship them" tropes for a whole generation.
- The Talent: She wasn't just a singer; the show portrayed her as a talented playwright and director, often with a horror-skewed vision.
It’s interesting. In many ways, Jade was the most "adult" character in the room. Liz Gillies played her with a dry wit that went over most kids' heads but landed perfectly for the older siblings and parents watching.
Life After Victorious: Where Is Elizabeth Gillies Now?
If you've lost track of Liz since the Victorious finale, you’ve missed a lot. She didn't fall into the "child star" trap. Instead, she pivoted almost immediately into more mature roles.
- Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll: She played Gigi on this FX series. It was a complete departure from Nick. She played a singer trying to make it while dealing with her washed-up rockstar father.
- Dynasty: This was the big one. Liz played Fallon Carrington in the CW’s reboot of the 80s soap opera. For five seasons, she basically took the "Jade" energy, added a billion dollars, and turned it into one of the most meme-able characters on TV.
- Music: She’s still singing. She frequently collaborates with Seth MacFarlane on jazz standards. It’s a niche, but her voice fits that classic, old-school Hollywood vibe perfectly.
Honestly, her career trajectory has been incredibly steady. She’s one of the few actors from that era who didn't need a "rebrand" because she was already playing characters with edge.
The "Jade West" Impact on Pop Culture
It’s been over a decade since the show ended. Yet, if you go on TikTok or Instagram, Jade West is still everywhere. Why? Because the "alt" aesthetic she pioneered on mainstream TV is more popular now than it was then.
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Elizabeth Gillies managed to make "mean" look like "boundaries." Fans today analyze Jade’s behavior through a different lens—seeing her as someone who was fiercely protective of her art and her boyfriend in an environment (Hollywood Arts) that felt performative and fake.
Surprising Facts About Liz as Jade
- The Hair: Those streaks weren't always clips. She actually dyed her hair frequently, which eventually took a toll.
- Besties in Real Life: Despite Jade hating Cat Valentine on screen, Liz and Ariana Grande are best friends in real life. Liz even appeared in the "Thank U, Next" music video as Cady Heron.
- Directing: Just like her character, Liz has a knack for being behind the camera. She actually directed episodes of Dynasty.
Comparing Jade to Other Nick Villains
Most Nickelodeon villains are goofy. Think of Nevel Papperman from iCarly or even the teachers in Zoey 101. They are meant to be laughed at.
Jade was different. You didn't necessarily laugh at her; you laughed with her as she tore down the absurdity of the people around her. Elizabeth Gillies gave her a level of "cool" that made kids want to be her, not just see her get defeated. She was rarely "defeated" in the traditional sense anyway. Usually, she just got her way because everyone was too scared to say no.
Was She Actually the Hero?
There’s a popular fan theory that Tori Vega was actually the "villain" of Victorious and Jade was the victim. While that’s a bit of a stretch for a kids' sitcom, the fact that people are even debating it shows how much depth Liz put into the role.
She played Jade with enough vulnerability—especially in episodes like "Jade Gets Crushed" or "The Worst Couple"—that you actually felt for her. You saw the insecurity under the black eyeliner. That is high-level acting for a show that also featured a talking puppet and a guy who obsessed over his big toe.
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Moving Forward: The Legacy of the Scissors
When you think about who played Jade in Victorious, you're thinking about the launchpad of a legitimate powerhouse in the entertainment industry. Elizabeth Gillies didn't just play a character; she created an archetype.
If you're looking to dive deeper into her work or the Victorious lore, here is how you can actually engage with it today:
- Watch Dynasty on Streaming: If you want to see the "evolved" version of Jade West, Fallon Carrington is it. It’s the same biting wit but with a wardrobe that costs more than the Victorious set.
- Check out her Jazz Albums: Specifically, her work with Seth MacFarlane. It will give you a whole new appreciation for her vocal range beyond the Nickelodeon "shout-singing" style.
- The "Thank U, Next" Video: It’s a fun meta-moment for fans who grew up watching her and Ariana.
- Victorious Rewatch: The show is currently available on various streaming platforms. Watch it again, but this time, pay attention to Liz's background acting. Her facial expressions when she isn't the focus of the scene are often the funniest part of the episode.
The reality is that Elizabeth Gillies was overqualified for a sitcom. That's why we’re still talking about her character fourteen years later. She took a trope and turned it into an icon.
Next time you see a girl with dark hair, a sarcastic attitude, and a "don't touch me" vibe, you know exactly who she’s channeling. Jade West lives on, mostly because Liz Gillies was too good to let her be forgotten.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators:
- Study the Archetype: If you are a writer or actress, look at how Gillies used "micro-expressions" to make a mean character sympathetic. It’s a masterclass in adding layers to a script.
- Follow the Career Path: Notice how Liz transitioned from child star to adult lead by choosing roles that shared "DNA" with her breakout character but offered more complexity.
- Engagement: If you're a content creator, Jade West remains one of the highest-performing "nostalgia" topics on social media. Capitalizing on her aesthetic is a proven way to reach Gen Z and Millennial audiences.