Teen pop star Victoria Justice said she's having the time of her life on her current concert tour, and given how much the singer/actress has done in her 19 years, that's saying something.
WANT TO GO?
Victoria Justice with Max Schneider
West Virginia State Fair
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: State fairgrounds, Fairlea (off I-64 exit 169)
TICKETS: $27, $29 and $32; gate admission sold separately
INFO:www.statefairofwv.com
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Teen pop star
Victoria Justice said she's having the time of her life on her current concert tour, and given how much the singer/actress has done in her 19 years, that's saying something.
"It's a really good show. I'm super proud of it," said the bubbly teen, calling from Hyannisport, Mass., the day after a concert there.
Justice, who performs at the West Virginia State Fair on Saturday, began working when she was 8, doing modeling and commercials in Florida. She was working consistently and wanted to give film and television a try, so she spent a summer in Los Angeles, where she landed TV guest roles and did some independent films.
She returned for pilot season and was cast in season two of Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101" as aspiring actress Lola Martinez. She stayed with the teen comedy, created by Dan Schneider, until it ended in 2008. Later, the network approached Schneider about doing another project with Justice. Thus, Justice's star vehicle, "Victorious," was born.
"They thought Dan and I worked really well together and got each other's sense of humor," she said. "I'm the type of kid who was never afraid to look really silly on camera. He enjoyed that. He also found out that I like to sing, and he drew inspiration from that."
"Victorious," set at a performing arts school, began in 2010. Recently, Nickelodeon announced it had not renewed the Emmy-nominated show, so the 15 episodes set to air this fall will be the last. Justice said there is plenty for fans to look forward to.
She ticked off the list: "Some really good new music; lots of really funny storylines; lots of comedy, action-packed crazy stuff. And the musical performances are really good."
Justice has written three songs for "Victorious." She's performing those and others from the show this summer.
WANT TO GO?Victoria Justice with Max Schneider
West Virginia State Fair
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: State fairgrounds, Fairlea (off I-64 exit 169)
TICKETS: $27, $29 and $32; gate admission sold separately
INFO:www.statefairofwv.com
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Teen pop star
Victoria Justice said she's having the time of her life on her current concert tour, and given how much the singer/actress has done in her 19 years, that's saying something.
"It's a really good show. I'm super proud of it," said the bubbly teen, calling from Hyannisport, Mass., the day after a concert there.
Justice, who performs at the West Virginia State Fair on Saturday, began working when she was 8, doing modeling and commercials in Florida. She was working consistently and wanted to give film and television a try, so she spent a summer in Los Angeles, where she landed TV guest roles and did some independent films.
She returned for pilot season and was cast in season two of Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101" as aspiring actress Lola Martinez. She stayed with the teen comedy, created by Dan Schneider, until it ended in 2008. Later, the network approached Schneider about doing another project with Justice. Thus, Justice's star vehicle, "Victorious," was born.
"They thought Dan and I worked really well together and got each other's sense of humor," she said. "I'm the type of kid who was never afraid to look really silly on camera. He enjoyed that. He also found out that I like to sing, and he drew inspiration from that."
"Victorious," set at a performing arts school, began in 2010. Recently, Nickelodeon announced it had not renewed the Emmy-nominated show, so the 15 episodes set to air this fall will be the last. Justice said there is plenty for fans to look forward to.
She ticked off the list: "Some really good new music; lots of really funny storylines; lots of comedy, action-packed crazy stuff. And the musical performances are really good."
Justice has written three songs for "Victorious." She's performing those and others from the show this summer.
"The tour is all 'Victorious' music," she said. "What I love about the music from the show is it's not little kid music. People from age 6 to 45 or 50 can enjoy it."
There will also be lights and fog, an opening set by Max Schneider of Nickelodeon's "How to Rock" and maybe a cover song or two. During "Make It in America," one of the songs Justice wrote, beach balls will be thrown into the crowd.
"It's lots of energy and lots of fun."
When she can find the time, Justice works on her own music. She's planning to release a solo album at some point, though she hasn't had much time lately to devote to it.
"I'm looking forward to really focusing on that soon. I have a few songs in the can that I want to include that are really strong," she said. "I'm writing some on the bus, just putting my heart and soul into it.
"I'm really passionate about it. I love songwriting. It's a creatively fulfilling experience and unlike anything I've done."
In the fall, she'll show off another new challenge: her first leading film role. "Fun Size," which also stars Johnny Knoxville, Chelsea Handler and Jane Levy, is scheduled for release Oct. 26.
Justice plays Wren, whose plan to attend a hot guy's Halloween party is thwarted when she's forced to take her brother trick-or-treating. That's bad enough...but then she loses him.
"Nuts stuff happens," she said. "I have to find my little brother and get him home before my mom finds out."
The comedy will be the latest project in a long line that has captured Justice's journey from child to young woman on film. For some, the prospect of a sort of video scrapbook could be daunting, but Justice loves it.
"It's been cool and exciting. I have amazing memories I can look back on. It's all on film or in pictures and magazines.
"It's something I'm very grateful for."
Reach Amy Robinson at flips...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4881.
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