Class is back in session at Hollywood Arts after thirteen years. Netflix and Paramount heard the saying, “if you can’t do, teach”, and decided that a show about Trina Vega mentoring rising stars is worth watching. You know what? They were right, somehow.
The Victorious spinoff chronicles Trina(Daniella Monet) becoming a teacher at Hollywood Arts after her dreams of becoming a famous actress did not go as planned. She soon finds herself challenged by unique, talented, youngsters in unexpected ways. The students there have as much to teach her as she has to teach them.
Joining Daniella Monet as Trina are Alyssa Miles as Emmy, Emmy Liu-Wang as Pepper, Erika Swayze as Jen Z, Peyton Jackson as Qwest, and Martin Kamm as Oscar. No one else from Victorious returns except Matt Bennett as Robbie Shapiro and Jake Farrow as Rex Powers. Speaking of Farrow, he is the co-creator of Hollywood Arts alongside Samantha Martin.
Welcome back to Hollywood Arts
Hollywood Arts is a gem coming out of the shadow of its predecessor, Victorious. The original Nickelodeon series starring Victoria Justice launched the careers of Ariana Grande, Elizabeth Gilles, Leon Thomas, and Avan Jogia. The series was notable for its ridiculous comedy, iconic music and magnetic leads. Sadly, it aged poorly as its legacy got tainted by Dan Schneider’s reputation of inappropriate behavior over the years. Revitalizing the Victorious universe was no easy task, and yet, Martin and Farrow ushered a new genesis with spades.
They offer a compelling redemption story for the worst character on Victorious that engages with original and new fans. The spinoff is a coming-of-age tale for young people unaware of their potential, guided by someone who found purpose late in life. There is a tenderness, rarely seen in Victorious that encapsulates the freshman season. Victorious valued humor above heart. Hollywood Arts does the opposite. Do not be mistaken into thinking that the new series abandons its comedic roots. The halls of that school is ripe with hilarious antics. Martin and Farrow approach comedy differently by embracing drama as the equal it should be. The creators gracefully humanize Trina and her class, allowing audiences to invest in their character dynamics with ease.
Anyone dreaming of becoming a performer today would wish that Hollywood Arts is a real school. The student body and faculty are rich with talent, diverse voices, ambition and varying levels of insanity. When we are not laughing or enjoying the musical numbers, we can learn about the entertainment industry. Despite Hollywood Arts’ exaggerated sitcom flare, there is an authentic, modern representation of performing arts High Schools that theater buffs can appreciate.
It’s Their World And Trina’s In It
There is a reason why the show is titled Hollywood Arts, and not “Trina!: The One Woman Show.” This is not only about Trina. Arguably, she has more of a supporting role than a main one. Martin and Farrow masterfully establish a combination of her altruistic and narcissistic reasons for becoming a mentor. Over the course of Season One, she becomes less interested in chasing the spotlight and prioritizes helping her students reach it.
For three years, Monet made audiences laugh at her, or love to hate her as Tori’s talentless, annoying, vain big sister on Victorious. Now that Trina’s older and less deluded, she is still vain, and we still laugh at her. However, we can also laugh with her, and love to root for her, as she roots for her students. Monet’s range was sorely lacking on Nickelodeon’s flagship series. This time she has the freedom to showcase a side of her character never seen before, and what she is capable of. Embracing Trina as an unorthodox, nurturing mentor comes naturally due to Monet’s interpretation.
She toes the line between a hot mess and wise sage throughout the first season. Imagine Cobra Kai’s Johny Lawrence, subtract karate, add Trina’s personality from Victorious, multiply it by Sikowitz and you would get the best version of herself in Hollywood Arts. She might be a better teacher than Sikowitz himself, not that he ever set the bar high.
New Kids Making It Shine
The real stars of the show are Alyssa Miles, Emmy Liu-Wang, Erika Swayze, Martin Kamm, and Peyton Jackson as Emmy, Pepper, Jen Z, Oscar and Qwest, respectively. They are whimsical and electric with voices fitted for musical theater and the pop circuit today. These kids are not Tori and her friends, and they are not trying to be, despite their similarities.
Alyssa Miles as Emmy, is Tori’s spiritual successor. She is the team’s de facto leader, moral compass, and the “Miguel”, to Trina’s “Johnny Lawrence.” Miles brings a quiet bravado and raw talent, contrasting Trina’s loud chaos. If you cannot fathom how Trina Vega would grow into a respectable adult figure, just look at Emmy. She is the catalyst for Trina’s miraculous evolution and the heart of the new generation. Her best friend, Pepper, is ironically played by a girl named Emmy. Emmy Liu-Wang is an infectious comedic presence with an enormous voice that cannot be stifled.
Erika Swayze’s Jen Z is the new “mean girl.” Is she as terrifying as Jade? Absolutely not, Jade was a psychopath. Coming to think of it, she is an angrier version of Trina’s younger self with real talent and brighter prospects. Her fuse is short, her tongue is sharp, her vanity is certain, but her heart is heavy. Swayze contextualizes Jen’s attitude as a mask for insecurities, establishing her character as the biggest performer in Hollywood Arts. Martin Kamm and Peyton Jackson complete the young ensemble as Oscar and Qwest. These theater bros add another layer of methodical madness on account of their comedic timing and chemistry.
The stage is set for Trina’s class to become new fan favorites in the Victorious universe. It is worth mentioning that the Hollywood Arts kids feel more like real teenagers than their predecessors. Their talent is undeniable, but in terms of musical ability, the original Victorious cast remains undefeated.
Here To Stay At Hollywood Arts
Hollywood Arts is a pleasant surprise, poised to satisfy old fans and create new ones. Creators Jake Farrow, and Samantha Martin understand that nostalgia cannot be recreated, but it can be expanded. They took a gamble bringing back Trina as the primary face from Victorious, and won. Her finding redemption, moulding young, impressionable artists strikes an emotional chord with viewers.
Emmy, Pepper, Jen, Oscar, Qwest, are exactly the young blood needed to keep Victorious‘ world alive. They are adorable, nuanced artists brought to life by new faces who fit in by standing out. They convince us why Trina loves them like the kids she never had, especially Emmy. Although, Victorious outshines Hollywood Arts musically, the latter excels in comedy and relatability.
The first 13 episodes of Hollywood Arts Season One will premiere on Netflix on October 15, 2026, before arriving on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.
