LIZ GILLIES
Words & Photos by CATHERINE POWELL Hair by BOBBY DIEHL Make-Up by ROBIN FREDRIKSZ
“Should we get cocktails?” 23-year-old Liz Gillies asks as we sit in the restaurant of The Crosby Hotel in New York, where she quickly decides on a South Side. While she technically resides in Los Angeles, New York is very much a home to Liz, who grew up just north of Manhattan in Bergen County, New Jersey and films her FX show, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll throughout the boroughs. What brings her back this time is the second season premiere of Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, which will air into September. Liz’s interest in acting was sparked simply by watching plays and movies as a kid and finding herself a little more interested in the process than her peers. “My earliest memories were that I want to be this,” she says,” There was
the passing veterinarian thing, but no one actually does that.” As a kid, all of her training was in musical theatre and improvisation, both which have served her well as an adult. One of her first roles was on Broadway’s 13 in 2008, alongside fellow Nickelodeon alumni Ariana Grande and Max Schneider. Since then, she has almost exclusively done television and film. Liz reunited with Ariana a few years later when the two booked the Nickelodeon fan-favorite, Victorious, where Liz portrayed Jade West for four seasons. “At the time it was a real dream for me to be a part of that type of world and to be on Nickelodeon – especially on a Dan Schneider show,” Liz reflects. She and her cast mates – all of whom were in the same age group – grew up together on
the show, and Liz cites it as the most memorable time in her life. “I think that’s why we have such strong, lifelong bonds, because we went through a lot together,” she says. The group – rounded out by Victoria Justice, Leon Thomas, Matt Bennett, Avan Jogia and Daniella Monet – make an effort to get together as often as possible and consistently share their reunions on Instagram. “If too many months go by, no matter where everyone is, we will always make a point to see each other and to hang out,” Liz shares. She notes that none of the Victorious cast members ever had a “club kid” faze and that common ground has kept them all very close. Beyond the group hangouts, Liz and Matt get together four times a week. “I’m sick of him,” she jokes. NKDMAG.COM
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