Daniella Monet

Summary

Pod Meets World – Teen Beat: Daniella Monet
June 10, 2026 | iHeartPodcasts
Host: Danielle Fishel | Guest: Daniella Monet

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Episode Overview

This episode of Pod Meets World spins off into Danielle Fishel’s “Teen Beat”—a segment deep-diving into childhood, growing up as a performer, and the awkward, unforgettable moments of youth. This week, Danielle welcomes actress, singer, and entrepreneur Daniella Monet (best known as Trina Vega on Victorious) for a hilarious, heartfelt discussion about their shared San Fernando Valley roots, growing up in the limelight, family, hustle, nostalgia for '90s LA, the weirdness and wonder of child stardom, and Daniella’s return in a new Victorious spinoff.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Childhood & Valley Upbringing

• Shared Valley Roots: Both Danielle and Daniella grew up in the San Fernando Valley. They reminisce about Calabasas, West Hills, local malls, and what makes the Valley unique.
  • "It's like if LA and Orange County had a baby, and that baby was... probably purple." — Danielle Fishel (06:24)
• Nostalgia for Local Hangouts: Iconic spots like Topanga Mall, the AMC, the Promenade, and Ruby’s Diner get loving shout-outs for being the epicenter of their adolescent social lives.
  • "The Promenade was where it’s at. That’s where you got dropped off, if you were allowed." — Daniella Monet (07:48)

Family Life & Motherhood

• Both have two kids born in similar years and reflect on the challenges and joys of the early parenting years.
  • "I didn’t realize how dead I had been for the previous five years with two especially. And now I’m like, ah, this is good. We’re gonna be fine." — Danielle Fishel (05:23)
• Daniella talks about the sense of normalcy returning as her children get older and her ability to focus on her career again.

Early Showbiz Ambitions & Child Actor Life

• First Steps & Motivation: Both started performing young, with Daniella stating:
  • "Unfortunately, I just loved attention. There’s really no, like, special answer there." — Daniella Monet (10:42)
  • "That was the first time I realized what having an audience...feeling so alive and present. There was no going back for me." — Daniella Monet (11:13)
• Mom’s Influence: Daniella credits her mom’s acting dreams as a big support system.
• Commercial Hustle: Both Danielle and Daniella started out in commercials—Daniella, however, was also a serial entrepreneur: running garage sales, rhinestoning accessories, and even offering (fake) ear piercings.
  • "My acting money I barely cared about because I was slinging whatever I could." — Daniella Monet (14:01)

Navigating Fame, Money & Independence

• Daniella discusses moving out at 17, buying a condo young, and learning through the ups and downs (like the 2008 crash).
  • "I moved out when I was 17 and bought a place in Calabasas… Needed all the money for that." — Daniella Monet (16:42)
• Both share stories of breaking rules (secret makeup rituals on the way to school) and forging independence.

Media Representation, Beauty Standards & Parenting

• Reflection on early beauty obsessions—lipsticks, eyelash curlers, and Danielle’s “rebel lipstick” story (18:09).
  • Daniella now allows her daughter to play with makeup, choosing openness over prohibition.
  • "If she wants to play a little, I’m ok with it because, I don’t know—if I’m like 'absolutely not', then we’re gonna have the sneaking around." (19:23)
• Parenting is “too many tabs open,” balancing self-care, work, and motherhood.

Climbing the TV Ladder: Roles, Auditions & Set Life

• Early TV appearances (8 Simple Rules, Bernie Mac, Listen Up!). Daniella reflects on her love for sitcoms and the thrill of live audiences.
  • "I loved working—specifically sitcom. So I caught that bug pretty early." — Daniella Monet (24:53)
  • "The audience, yes. Most of the shows I did initially were all audience. And now I feel like that’s kind of an anomaly." — Daniella Monet (25:03)
• Experiences with legendary actors (Malcolm Jamal Warner, Jason Alexander) and the value of having supportive mentors.

The Role That Got Away

• Both share the heartbreak of near-miss casting moments, like Danielle’s failed test for Free Willy and Daniella being in the final three for Hannah Montana.
  • "For every experience where you think that is yours...there’s the next one that becomes yours. Even if it’s three years later, you’re like, this makes so much sense now." — Daniella Monet (32:01)
  • They agree on the importance of trusting one’s path and destiny.

Child Star Duality: Real Life vs. Showbiz

• Discussing maintaining a “normal” life despite early fame, keeping regular friends, and not talking much about work at school.
  • "I had a neighborhood full of kids, and like, I didn’t feel like I could really talk about what I did." — Daniella Monet (33:02)
  • "A little like a Hannah Montana...dual lives." — Danielle Fishel (33:18)

Girlhood, Crushes, and Teen Life

• Both admit to being “late bloomers” in romance, preferring to hang with boys but not have boyfriends.
  • Daniella playfully, "I think I should have been a boy! Like, I was like, 'I'mma hang with the boys, but like, you can't like me.'" (39:03)
  • Daniella shares how she married her husband, a former high school quarterback and now fintech professional—finding thrill in his “normal” life.

"Victorious" Era, Nickelodeon Memories & Cast Bonds

• The thrill and chaos of filming at Nickelodeon’s Sunset lot; crossover moments with shows like iCarly.
• Notable Moment: Justin Bieber taking over their dressing rooms ("We're in Justin Bieber's dressing room!" — Daniella Monet, 42:34).
• Getting slimed was a bucket-list item that got old fast:
  • "The first time it was a novelty…And then you get slimed a number of times and you’re realizing, wow…and do it all over again." (43:33)
• Cast camaraderie extends beyond the show years: "We’re bonded in a really cool way… I will absolutely always be their biggest fan." — Daniella Monet (41:46)

Looking Back With Hindsight

• Both reflect on moments in children’s TV that, in hindsight, may be inappropriate or dated.
  • "Jokes that were funny then might not feel the same now… it’s all perspective." — Daniella Monet (45:54)
  • Danielle adds that everyone has awkward or uncomfortable experiences—they were just captured on TV forever.

Early YouTube Crossover (Fred) & Influence of Social Media

• Daniella talks about working with Fred Figglehorn, one of YouTube’s first mainstream crossover stars.
  • She marvels at how modern kids can launch their own careers directly from home: "Now you guys… have so much more power than I did. I had to commute to a room." — Daniella Monet (48:30)
• Both speculate lightheartedly what their childhood “niche” might have been with YouTube; Daniella proposes “Cheffy Spice,” an original Spice Girl alter ego.

Victorious Spinoff & Embracing Leadership

• Daniella discusses returning as Trina Vega for a new Netflix spinoff, "Stuff Hollywood Arts," both starring in and producing.
  • The emotional process of getting the project greenlit and informing her original castmates, who responded with overwhelming support.
  • "Every single response, Ari’s being the longest, was so heartfelt and so supportive." — Daniella Monet (51:41)
• She describes the cast's maturity, self-awareness, and her role providing guidance and modeling professionalism to the next generation.
  • "I think the biggest part of that role for me is being somewhat of like modeling best practices…for a lot of them it was their first table read." — Daniella Monet (54:51)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “We’re f-adjacent. Yeah, but, like, normal.” — Daniella Monet (06:36)
• “What did you pierce people with? You were pretending—you just have a sewing needle and a potato behind you?” — Danielle Fishel (14:47)
• “These lashes were done so well. I am not taking these individuals off one more time.” — Daniella Monet on being slimed (44:16)
• “What’s yours will never not find you—100%.” — Danielle Fishel (32:01)
• “Modeling what it means to be a professional on stage...to take care of yourself and your fellow actors…” — Danielle Fishel (54:51)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:41 Intro: Danielle’s “Teen Beat” format & introduction to Daniella
• 04:37-08:30 Growing up in the Valley, 90s nostalgia, mall culture, and changing local landmarks
• 10:01-12:39 Early performance drive, gratitude for supportive parents
• 14:01-16:16 Childhood hustle and Danielle’s CD player purchase
• 16:42-17:13 Daniella moves out at 17 & car subwoofer tales
• 18:09-19:53 Secret makeup, beauty rituals & parenting styles
• 24:02 - 26:14 TV career milestones, mentors, and sitcom set stories
• 27:34-28:44 Singing requirements in kid TV audition culture
• 29:15-32:42 Roles that got away ("Hannah Montana" & more); philosophy on fate
• 33:12-34:30 Balancing real life and acting world as a child
• 38:59-39:27 Dating and teen years
• 41:46-44:36 Victorious cast bonds, Nickelodeon studio stories, getting slimed
• 45:54-46:35 Retrospective on dated content in kids’ shows
• 47:43-49:02 Early YouTube crossover and its longstanding influence
• 50:30-54:51 Victorious spinoff preparations, becoming a mentor & show leader

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode is breezy, candid, and drenched in nostalgic humor, with both Danielle and Daniella bringing warmth, humility, and self-awareness. Listeners are treated to a rare, honest view of child stardom’s everyday realities, the trade-offs of growing up on TV, and how those experiences shape parenting, work, and personal values moving forward. Daniella’s reflections on mentorship, resilience, and embracing change—whether in Hollywood or motherhood—make this episode especially resonant for fans who grew up alongside her.

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For more stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and bonus content (including Daniella’s rapid-fire Teen Beat Q&A), check out @teenbeatpod and teenbeatpod.com

Transcript

[Daniella Monet]

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[Danielle Fishel]

Give me money for cigarettes I'll never leave your guilty bed

[Daniella Monet]

I stay the

[Danielle Fishel]

night and one night we can Two or three years the kids are not all right but that's okay cause no one here is take Me. Hello, it's your host, Danielle Fishel, and it is time to catch tb. Oh, that sounds just awful. TB is clearly tuberculosis. But this is Teen Beat, a podcast where we high dive into the deep end of a pool filled with the awkward truths of childhood. Every week I sit with interesting people who've done interesting things, knowing that by sharing these tales of shame and commiserating in the journey of youth, we learn just a little bit more about who we are today. I see it like this. I gave you my childhood. It's time we hear yours. But this week, I'm talking to a fellow former child actor who knows exactly what it's like to have your growing pains and puberty documented for public consumption. An actress whose Hollywood career began at the ripe age of seven, debuting in the type of embarrassing commercials that seven year olds get cast in. She then transitioned to big girl TV shows on shows like 8 Simple Rules, Zoey 101 and the Suite Life of Zack and Cody. But it was her time as Trina Vega on Nickelodeon's Victorious that would shine a spotlight that's about to be reignited for a brand new spinoff she will star in and produce 10 years later. Now that's a predicament I know a little bit about. She was an integral part of a Y2K young talent pool that have all branched out into their own lanes, running Hollywood and families. As my guest now also has two beautiful young children of her own. So this week on Teen Beat, it's actress, singer, entrepreneur, and the pride of West Hills, California, it's Daniella Monet.

[Daniella Monet]

Hello, West Hills. I represent the infamous.

[Danielle Fishel]

We have so many things in common.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Apparently Valley kids.

[Daniella Monet]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

But Also you have two kids. One born in 2019 and one born in 2021.

[Daniella Monet]

Is that you? Yes. Unreal.

[Danielle Fishel]

Unbelievable.

[Daniella Monet]

That's so funny.

[Danielle Fishel]

About to be seven and about to be five.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, my gosh. I just. Yeah, my daughter just turned five and my son's about to be seven.

[Danielle Fishel]

Man, what a time to be alive.

[Daniella Monet]

It feels exactly that. Yeah. There's a lot of things going on.

[Danielle Fishel]

A lot of things. I don't know how you feel with your kids ages, but I finally feel like the sun has come out a little bit. There's time for. I have time to get dressed in the morning.

[Daniella Monet]

You're breathing. I got myself a little bev. Like, we're living again.

[Danielle Fishel]

I didn't realize how dead I had been for the previous five years with two especially. And now I'm like, ah, this is good. We're gonna Be fine. We're gonna make it just fine.

[Daniella Monet]

Yes. And it also feels like kind of at the same time, like I'm dipping my toe back into, like, work, which I took myself very far out of for at least five years. So it just feels like a lot of things are feeling normal. Ish again.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. And there's some time for you.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. What you love, what you want to do, what you're good at. I'm so excited about that. So did you enjoy growing up a Valley girl? I grew up just next door to you in West Hills. I was in Calabasas. Did you love the Valley? Do you still love the Valley?

[Daniella Monet]

I have so much appreciation for it. In fact, when we were talking earlier about how, like, when you meet someone who grew up in the same area as, you feel, like, this kindred connection right away.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Daniella Monet]

And I. Yeah, I'm really proud of, like, where we. Where we came up, you know, It's a good spot. It's.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's.

[Daniella Monet]

I don't know. How do you even describe the Valley? Like, it's la, but not correct at all.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, not. It's like. It's like if LA and Orange county had a baby, and that baby was. Well, it's probably purple. I was gonna say. I was gonna say more blue.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, sure. And. And lots of public schools. Like, it's not, like, fancy. I wouldn't say. Well, there are fancy places. We're f. Adjacent. Yeah, but, like, normal.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Daniella Monet]

Ish.

[Danielle Fishel]

Feels a little normal. Ish.

[Daniella Monet]

Ish.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I. I. Yeah, I'm a. I'm a Valley kid through and through, and I. I'm happy to be raising my kids there. Me, too. Both my kids are in public school. I went to public school. It's pretty great. Well, I'm really thankful that you're here for many reasons, but it also means I get to introduce a new feature here on Teen Beat where I ask my guest, did you go to the Topanga Mall?

[Daniella Monet]

Topanga Mall? I sure did.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Daniella Monet]

I sure the heck did. Do you love the Topanga Mall? I love the Topanga Mall. It's had very many iterations since the mall that I frequented as a kid. Okay. And also, not to be, like, going off on a tangent, but the AMC is another world now, too, which is really sad. On the other side of the Topanga Mall.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know. That whole place is.

[Daniella Monet]

I don't know what's happening. I almost, like, can't go in that area quite yet until it's, like, finished, and then I'll accept it for what it is.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, good luck. I think we're going to be working on that area for a solid 12 more years. Yeah. But some of my favorite memories are actually at the Promenade Mall.

[Daniella Monet]

That's what I'm talking about.

[Danielle Fishel]

The amc.

[Daniella Monet]

Of course, the Promenade was where it's at. That's where you got dropped off, if you were allowed. I begged.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly.

[Daniella Monet]

Begged. My parents were like, no, I was

[Danielle Fishel]

allowed to get dropped off in. Well, not at the movie theater, but at the mall on weekends with my best friend. And we would get Vanilla Ice blendeds at that Coffee Bean that was there. And then we'd walk to Victoria's Secret and play with lip glosses and sprays and try on bras we had no business wearing.

[Daniella Monet]

Of course. Pink.

[Danielle Fishel]

Everything pink. Yes, exactly. And now, I mean, I. At one time, before, it literally was. They now have torn them all down over there, but before they tore it down, I went in and, like, looked through the windows, and they had allowed the plants to just fully. It was a. I've never seen the inside of a completely abandoned mall.

[Daniella Monet]

It's weird.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. The plants were taking over. Oh, my goodness. It was rather scary. But those were really good times.

[Daniella Monet]

They sure were. And then you grew up and we went to the Commons, which I'm sure is in your backyard now. Like, this is.

[Danielle Fishel]

But again, talk about things that have changed. That Sinclair gas station used to be a Chevron. Lovies used to be a Red Robin.

[Daniella Monet]

I grew up with the free French fries.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, in the Happy Birthday song. I went there every year on my birthday. And then also Ruby's Diner at the mall.

[Daniella Monet]

That was Ruby's.

[Danielle Fishel]

Why is it.

[Daniella Monet]

What was it? 5 cent. 5 cent something.

[Danielle Fishel]

They had 5 cent balls, 5 cent gumballs, and they also had skinny fry. Do you remember when they introduced skinny fries? But they weren't just skinny in size, they were, like, made with supposedly some healthier oil that they tried to market these fries as being healthy for you. It wouldn't have stopped me anyway from eating that.

[Daniella Monet]

Ruby's was where it was at.

[Danielle Fishel]

Why don't we have a great Ruby's Diner anymore?

[Daniella Monet]

You know, it's weird. I saw this thing recently with Pizza Hut. Have you seen what they're doing? Oh, it's brilliant. They're basically taking all the existing Pizza Hut locations that are essentially just like, takeout joints now and, like, reversing it back to the 90s and doing, like, tables with, like, the checkered tablecloth and the nice, like, I'm there.

[Danielle Fishel]

The salad bar. I'm there.

[Daniella Monet]

For kids to grow up the way we did.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, we'll take our kids there. Let's go together.

[Daniella Monet]

And now for all the Gen Zs listening, they're like, okay, move on.

[Danielle Fishel]

They're like, whatever. Also, people who aren't from the Valley. Sorry, just skip the first seven minutes of this interview.

[Daniella Monet]

I promise it's worth a visit.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, let's talk a little bit about Daniella, the young kid. Were you always performative?

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, unfortunately.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know the feeling. Yeah. Did you used to perform for your family in the kitchen?

[Daniella Monet]

Of course. Everywhere. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Singing, dancing. Okay, so we mentioned that we both have kids.

[Daniella Monet]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Born in the same years. And I'm always so interested in the little, like, how they pick things up, like, what sparks their interest. Because then I think, what was it for me that sparked my interest in things? Like, my youngest is very into pro wrestling. Oh, he lives for it.

[Daniella Monet]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

Truly. And my oldest is very into baseball.

[Daniella Monet]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

What was your thing as a kid?

[Daniella Monet]

Well, I think, unfortunately, I just loved attention. There's really no, like, special answer there. I just think I like to make people laugh, and if I felt like they were entertained, I was winning. I briefly remember dipping my toe into Golden Performing Arts. Do you remember that at all? No. It was like a theater company that did, like, you know, community theater. But at the time, it was like, a big deal. And I remember feeling what it felt like to get, like, that instant gratification from an audience. And that was the first time I think I realized this is. I've actually never said this before, but I think I'm connecting. Like, that was the first time I realized what having an audience and feeling that sense of, like, oh, I hit it or I nailed it or whatever. That feeling of being so alive and present. Yes. There was no going back for me. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

That was the moment the little light bulb went off where you were like this feedback loop of, I put something out and you give me something in return. Well, I mean, imagine that.

[Daniella Monet]

So it just.

[Danielle Fishel]

It ended up shaping your entire life.

[Daniella Monet]

It really did.

[Danielle Fishel]

You didn't wait long to get your parents to start driving you to auditions in that 101 traffic.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, boy. Mm hmm.

[Danielle Fishel]

How were you able to convince them to do this at seven years old?

[Daniella Monet]

Um, gosh, good question. Well, if I'm being honest, my mom wanted to be an actress.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. So that's what she was like.

[Daniella Monet]

You were too amazing. She didn't have the opportunity, so she was really supportive. And yeah, I mean, I think like anything else, like, it ran its course and it was A lot of work for our parents. It was so much work. So when I got my license and I was able to do it on my own and I made the choice that I was like, still interested at that point, I think there was like a slight weight lifted off them, but also like, you know, a morning of that chapter together. Because there's a lot of time in the car. You're invested in this process together. Yeah. Yeah. There's a lot of fond memories of just like in the freeway. Yeah. Looking at the Thomas Guide. Sorry, guys, I'm so old.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, the Thomas Guide. I have one framed. I have a Thomas Guide framed in my life.

[Daniella Monet]

How's my life?

[Danielle Fishel]

Auditioning with a little silver star at the spot of where Boy Meets World started, where Disney Studios is. I got one for Ryder and Will because we all used the Thomas Guide to get around. And it was our job to sit in the back seat.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah. In the backseat. And you would.

[Danielle Fishel]

Cause. Exactly. Because you were seven. I was 10, so I was also in the back. And you'd figure out where mom was going. Trying to read a map. But also, one of my favorite mom stories is that if I started to fall asleep, she'd yell to me, sleep with your head against the window. Because she wanted to be in the carpool lane and she was so worried we were going to get pulled over. So if I fell asleep, I had to sleep with her. Still see my head. Do not tip over this way. Tip over this way, lady. Hilarious.

[Daniella Monet]

What a time.

[Danielle Fishel]

We also both started in commercials.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh. I had an agreement with my mom that after my first big national commercial that she would let me take a little bit of the money I earned and buy something.

[Daniella Monet]

Roxy, what was it?

[Danielle Fishel]

I spent $500 on a five disc CD player.

[Daniella Monet]

Girl,

[Danielle Fishel]

do you remember?

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, I could hear LFO right now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, I love it.

[Daniella Monet]

This is basically just a throwback. Throwback show.

[Danielle Fishel]

We are ancient. Do you remember what. What was your like? Did your parents have.

[Daniella Monet]

Let you have money? Okay, so funny story. Was very money motivated as a kid. So my acting money I barely cared about because I was slinging whatever I could. Oh, you were.

[Danielle Fishel]

I had.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, girl. I had garage sales almost like weekly. I used to make clothes, so clothes. Swarovski crystals. Where everything. So I would rhinestone pretty much anything you had. I could do that. I at one point pretended that I knew how to pierce ears. I had a line with my neighbors. My mom was a hairdresser, worked out of our house and had like a little salon in the garage and I would do highlights.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, acrylics. By the way, if you needed any acrylics, I figured out the dremel real quick. Sally's beauty Store for some powder girl. It was nuts.

[Danielle Fishel]

What did you pierce people with? You were pretending. You just have a sewing needle and a potato behind you.

[Daniella Monet]

It was like Parent Trap. What else?

[Danielle Fishel]

Unbelievable. What were you. You were coloring hair.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And people were letting you. They were like willing.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, I was coloring my own hair to start.

[Danielle Fishel]

Do you have any pictures of that?

[Daniella Monet]

Proof of that? I'm sure.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh yeah, I'm gonna need a picture of that.

[Daniella Monet]

Y and and then would like venture. Yeah, I would do like a few little highlights in my friend's hair. Like I watched enough. I was so observant growing up. I'm like, I can do that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Also, could I still give you some? Could you still be dazzle things? Because I'd love to give you some. I'm all into it again.

[Daniella Monet]

I mean, to be honest, I have the focus of a two year old at this point. My poor daughter is like, mom, come color with me and you have to sit still. And I'm like, okay, let me just take the trash out and put the clothes in the dryer.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know.

[Daniella Monet]

Be right back.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know.

[Daniella Monet]

You know, you forget. It's horrible.

[Danielle Fishel]

There's too many tabs open. We have too many tabs open in the brain at all times. So I understand. Cause I also go to sit down and connect with my kids. And while they're doing that, my brain is like, I forgot to put the transfer of the clothes. I need to take that trash out. It's overflowing. Why are there so many crumbs under my feet? Easy to get. Very overstimulated.

[Daniella Monet]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, so you had a bunch of hustles and you were making. You just were like income streams from everywhere. What did you spend the money on?

[Daniella Monet]

I probably reinvested it, if I'm being honest. I remember going to Smart and finally buying chocolate bars and going door to door. Those aren't cheap when you get the big sizes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, I know, I know.

[Daniella Monet]

What did I spend money on? I was a really thrifty girl as a kid. I mean, Ross and that sort of thing was like my style. So yeah, I would try to find like name brands there. Okay, what else did I spend money on? Do you remember your first? I moved out early. Oh, I moved out early. So I got myself, well, relatively early. I moved out when I was 17 and I bought a place in Calabasas. A condo.

[Danielle Fishel]

Great.

[Daniella Monet]

So Needed all the money for that.

[Danielle Fishel]

So smart. Smarter than I was.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah. Except it was 2006 and then the market crashed, so we learned a lot. Yeah, we learned a lot.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right. So the timing. Yeah, timing could have been better. But really smart that you were like, okay, moving out, gonna save all this money for a house.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah. And a car. I did get myself a nice little Scion TC with some subs in the back.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, the subs.

[Daniella Monet]

Hear me coming around the corner.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love that. What were you listening to?

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, gosh. You know, I'm kind of like a hip hop girly a little bit.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wow.

[Daniella Monet]

We're very similar. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

This is Valley is the Valley. I know. It's so embarrassing. And also amazing. I don't ever want to change. Some of my kids little girlfriends show up to parties with makeup on. They're very into fancy dresses, little high heels. And it reminds me that when I was in elementary school, my best friend and I desperately wanted to wear lipstick. And our moms were both absolute. That's an absolute no from us. And then when we started walking to school alone, we realized that, like, on the walk, they don't know what happens. So one day, my best friend walked out of her house. I showed up at her door to. We walked alone. So I met her at her door. She came out, and she. Her mom's like, behind her. She's like, bye, have a good day. She's like, bye, Mom. And she turns around and she pulls out of her pocket a lipstick. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. And Jessica starts walking toward me, and she takes the cap off. Oh, my gosh.

[Daniella Monet]

Like a movie.

[Danielle Fishel]

Puts red lipstick all over her mouth.

[Daniella Monet]

And I'm like, whoa.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm so excited for my turn. And within seconds, Jessica's mom appears at the back of the door. Jessica, you forgot your lunch.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, no.

[Danielle Fishel]

And Jessica's just looking at me, her back to her mom like this.

[Daniella Monet]

Grab my lunch. And I'm like, uh, I'll get in.

[Danielle Fishel]

I go running up there. And she's like, jessica, what are you doing? Jessica's and turns around. Of course, we were immediately busted in massive trouble. Take that off. Give that to me. Why are you taking my lipstick? Did you. Were you into all of that?

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, I was definitely. So my weapon at that age was an eyelash curler. Loved an eyelash curler. That was probably the first tool I fell in love with. I remember for Barbie commercial auditions, I got to curl my eyelashes because, like, big eyes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yeah, those big doe eyes for Barbie.

[Daniella Monet]

Outside of that. Yeah. I mean, that was pretty much my thing. I would wear a little gloss. And it's funny now because my daughter is so into makeup, and my approach has been pretty chill.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep. Okay. You do say so yourself.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, I'm just gonna, like, let it kind of do its thing and, like, you know, teach her how to do it. Like, show her what kind of colors look good on her so it's not, like, you know, like, dark crazy.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Daniella Monet]

But, like, if she wants to play a little, I'm okay with it because, I don't know, I'm just, like, worried that if I'm like, absolutely not, that we're gonna have the sneaking around, and then, you know. So that's our approach right now. And she's so cute. She'll do, like, gloss and, you know, she'll put a little cheek on, and I'm like, just rub it in, you know?

[Danielle Fishel]

Is she using creams or powders?

[Daniella Monet]

She's using a cream at this point. Yeah. It's so cute.

[Danielle Fishel]

Adorable. Is she into Sephora? Because I hear all the girls love.

[Daniella Monet]

I mean, I wouldn't be surprised, but, like, she has a mom who doesn't know much about anything.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Daniella Monet]

I'm not at Sephora. I mean, I use my eyelash curler.

[Danielle Fishel]

I was going to say you. You know a lot about a lot of things. I don't know the first thing about acrylics or.

[Daniella Monet]

I mean, those days are over. I'm exhausted. I retired so early.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. All right. I'm happy to hear that, because I don't know how you're doing it. Truthfully, I know most people are surprised to learn what OCD really is because pop culture has spread the idea that it's just about being super neat and organized. But that's not accurate at all. My husband has ocd, and I can tell you it is so much more than that. Real OCD is a serious condition where you get unwanted, distressing thoughts called intrusive thoughts. They're stuck on repeat in your mind, often focusing on people or things we care about, like relationships, identity, or character, making them hard to ignore. And then you feel driven to do certain behaviors called compulsions to try to make the anxiety stop. This obsession and undying desire to make it go away can completely derail you for decades. Jensen ruined his own life and the happiness of those around him purely because he couldn't make the repeated worry go away. But he'd eventually learn it doesn't have to be that way, because OCD is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. Once you get the right kind of specialized therapy. OCD needs ERP therapy. That's exposure and response prevention, which has proven to be the most effective treatment. Regular talk therapy isn't recommended and can actually make OCD worse. NOCD is the world's leading OCD treatment provider and all of their licensed therapists specialize in ERP therapy with NOCD is 100% virtual, covered by insurance for over 138 million Americans and includes support between sessions so you never have to face OCD alone. To learn more about starting OCD therapy with no CD, go to nocd.com and book a free call with their team. That's n o c d.com hey, it's

[Ryan Seacrest]

Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Ready to save? It's time for Cyber Deals. Kick off summer with fresh savings that brighten the season. You don't want to miss these exclusive week long digital offers on your favorite products that are only available when you shop online. Save on eligible items from Jack Links, Celsius, Chobani International Delight and Too Good Only available now through June 16th on pickup or delivery orders only. Restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.

[Bowen Yang]

This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture Research with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of yourself can feel impossible. That's why Premier protein shakes are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness, it's for getting after life. The 30 grams of protein gives you the fuel you need. It's not just for intense gym sessions, it's just for life. With the wide variety of flavors from cafe latte to cake batter, it never feels boring. It's a flavor for everyone. I personally love the peaches and cream, but maybe you're a root beer floater cinnamon roll kind of person. Premier Protein powers me to say yes to more. Find favorite [e-mail] that's P R E M I E R protein.com or at Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super Easy to [e-mail]

[Daniella Monet]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for three equivalent to $15 per month. Required intro rate, first three months only, then full price plan options available. Taxes and fees, extra fee. Full [e-mail].

[Danielle Fishel]

So a few years after you start doing commercials, you start popping up in TV shows like 8 Simple Rules, Bernie Mac, but most predominantly. Listen up.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Jason Alexander. And this was. It had to have been a dream, right? I mean, the cast is incredible. And now you have an on set teacher.

[Daniella Monet]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

You're living the life. Did you love it?

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, I loved it. Oh, I loved it. Any excuse, if I'm being a hundred percent honest, any excuse to get out of school, I was like, sign me up.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. And on set schools, not quite the same.

[Daniella Monet]

No. I mean, some set teachers are better than others. I'm sure you've had your experience.

[Danielle Fishel]

Mine were great.

[Daniella Monet]

Okay. Lucky.

[Danielle Fishel]

Very dedicated.

[Daniella Monet]

Ugh. Love that, that. But also it's the experience too. Like for instance, on Listen Up, I was the only kid, so I was like, okay, now I gotta go back to the bungalow on 20th Century Fox and sit by myself and try to get my hours in.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep.

[Daniella Monet]

But no, for the most part, like, I just loved. I loved working specifically sitcom. So I caught that bug pretty early.

[Danielle Fishel]

Again, that audience. You had a live studio audience.

[Daniella Monet]

The audience, yes. Most of the shows I did initially were all audience. And now I feel like that's kind of like an anomaly.

[Danielle Fishel]

It is. Coach gave them an excuse to not need audiences. They were like, hey, laughers, laughers.

[Daniella Monet]

I know.

[Danielle Fishel]

12 people paid to laugh at the jokes.

[Daniella Monet]

Yes. And now you're lucky you even have those. Now we're like everyone in Video Village. Laugh.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. I know. Laugh loud. I also know the late Malcolm Jamal Warner was on that show with you and he knew what being a child actor was all about. What was working with him?

[Daniella Monet]

Like, he's was a gem. Yeah, he's a special guy. You know what I loved most about him was that you knew he had grown up in this business, but, like, he was not a typical actor in that way. Like, so humble and kind and kind of introverted too. Yeah. Really sweet, sweet man. And great for someone like me because it was my first series, so at least I had worked with him. Being a child actor himself, Jason, who had been so much television at that point, I just felt like really supported.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, what a great first experience then to have tent poles around you.

[Daniella Monet]

I know.

[Danielle Fishel]

Of class and excellence. Yeah. So thrown into the mix. Here are kids shows like Zoey 101 iCarly Suite Life, the Nancy Drew movie. Yes.

[Daniella Monet]

So good. The best books ever.

[Danielle Fishel]

The best books. And my aunt had all of the original ones. Oh, my God, I love them so much. Okay, so you're circ. At this point, you're circling the Disney universe a bit. And I know you sing as well.

[Daniella Monet]

Ish.

[Danielle Fishel]

What was being a triple threat Disney kid really, like, woof.

[Daniella Monet]

Well, if I'm okay. So when I was on Listen Up, I remember the agents I had at the time, you know, putting me in the mix for some, like, bigger stuff. And I was kind of annoyed because I was like, no, I want to do Disney and Nickelodeon. Like, that's all I wanted to do. So I kind of went behind their backs and got into a general with Disney through my manager, and that general led to testing for Hannah Montana within, like, at least the same day. It's kind of a blur at this point, but I remember them saying, like, oh, this will be great for you. You should test for this show. And so that was like, my entry level into, like, the Disney universe. Yes. I had done maybe, like, some sweet or. No, I think Suite Life came after, but, yeah, I just loved. I loved kids tv. I was a kid TV consumer at the time, so I'm like, if I could be on my favorite shows, that's a dream come true. I mean, that's the same thing today.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep.

[Daniella Monet]

So that was kind of like my first experience, and it was a rush. Like, I just. Yeah, I feel really grateful I got sucked in.

[Danielle Fishel]

That is so fun. I was. Singing was never on my.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, girl. I don't know why singing's on there, if I'm being honest.

[Danielle Fishel]

Really?

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah. I've had no choice but to figure it out, because at the time when we. When Hannah Montana, for instance, they're like, go sing. And I said, you got it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Here we go.

[Daniella Monet]

I was watching American Idol at the time. Kelly Clarkson was a thing, and she sang I believe Jeremiah was a bullfrog, which was called. And that song stuck in my head, and that was what I sang for the Hannah Montana audition. Of course, I said, she sounded great. I'm gonna do that.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love you for that, because I. For having all the confidence in the world as far as, like, walking into a room or saying whatever was on a piece of paper. The minute somebo told me I needed to sing, I was like, oh, you have the wrong person. I'll see you later. Bye, everyone. It was nice meeting you. Yes.

[Daniella Monet]

And it's, like, not good enough. Like, especially I feel like we're circling back to that a little bit where, like, that era, you had to sing, like, they were like. And now you sing. And I'm like, okay, okay, I will if you want me to.

[Danielle Fishel]

Still not that much different. I mean, Girl Meets world now at this point was 12 years ago, but everyone has to sing in every audition. They were like, now, why don't you sing us a little bit?

[Daniella Monet]

And you watch the audition. And I watched the auditions. I now got an experience, and I'm like, these people have to sing on top of being good at what they do and being cute and perfect, and

[Danielle Fishel]

now they gotta be singers now also be a singer. Yeah, I know. It's wild. It is wild. I admire it so much. There's, like, somehow people just think there's, like, one little gene where you're good at all these things. Not me.

[Daniella Monet]

No.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you. As you mentioned, you tested for Hannah Montana. You were in the final three, and we all have those roles.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

That got away.

[Daniella Monet]

I gotta hear yours, because that's, like, one of my favorite things to ask people.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Like, what did you really want?

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah. Or just, like, was there that moment where you thought, okay, my life could very much change if this goes my way?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I, I, at one point, early, Early, I was gonna. The girl in Free Willy. I wanted that role. Oh, I bet you did so bad.

[Daniella Monet]

That's crazy, because that some of these roles you audition for and you have no idea the scope that it'll be become. Yeah, but you connected with that.

[Danielle Fishel]

I totally did. And then I. I also tested for eight Simple Rules, and I was like, I would have been great. I want to do that show. And then I don't remember what happened, but I think that might have been the audition where. No, it was a. That was a different show. I tested for another show. It's my weirdest story where in the waiting room of looking at all the other people who were there to test, there were, like, three women there. And then there was another woman testing young woman, and she was, like, really off to the side. And I could just tell that there was, like, a very nervous energy. And I felt very much like it was my job to comfort her. I don't know why. And I started talking to her, and it turns out she's the one who originally booked the role. And they shot the pilot with her and were making her test again against the other people all at the same time.

[Daniella Monet]

These studios.

[Danielle Fishel]

Not like, oh, you know what? This is traumatic enough. We're gonna give you your Own space and time. No, she's in the waiting room with the other people she was testing against. Anyway, then we left that audition, and she was staying at a hotel nearby. They flew her back out. Wow. And I drove her back to the hotel, and as she was getting out of the car, both of our phones rang. No. And we looked down, and it was

[Daniella Monet]

like, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Danielle Fishel]

Is this your manager? And she was like, yeah. And I was like, it's my manager, too. And I was like, I really hope you get it. Oh. And she was like, thanks. She got out and she closed the door, and I answered the phone, and they were like, all right, you didn't get it. And I said, could you please just tell me? Did the person who get it. Is she the one who had it originally? And they said, no, it was neither.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, man.

[Danielle Fishel]

Terrible. Like the kind of Hollywood story that could make you just go, take me off the list. I'm out. I don't want to do it anymore still. And. Yeah, I know.

[Daniella Monet]

Just build your character. And you know what? I've always tried to tell myself. Myself this, like, crazy narrative that, like, it's not for me. It's not like I truly believe and I have to, or else I will go nuts that I'm being led.

[Danielle Fishel]

Correct.

[Daniella Monet]

And I will only do the jobs that are right for me.

[Danielle Fishel]

And what's yours will never not find you 100%.

[Daniella Monet]

Because for every experience where you think that that is yours and you build the whole story around your future, and then it goes down the drain, there's the next one that becomes yours. And even if it's three years later, you're like, this makes so much sense now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. And how many times have we had experiences where we think we really want some or even just a friend that you realize, like, you were there. I didn't know you were there. And then you still keep bumping into each other. It's like the universe will find a way if it somehow misses you in this angle, there will be another way. If it's yours, it will be yours. I completely agree. And we have to. We have to tell ourselves this even if it's not true. Okay. So, Hannah, or not, you are working a ton back then. I have to assume your friends are starting to be other studio lot kids.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, a little bit. I'm trying to think, you know, I was. Because I don't know if it's because I grew up out here that I had, like, one big foot in reality still, and my, like, one foot was like, Pretending to be an actress.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, it was weird.

[Daniella Monet]

It was like I would come home and I had a neighborhood full of kids, and, like, I didn't feel like I could really talk about, like, what I did.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep.

[Daniella Monet]

So I was kind of just like a normal girl and then would go and work and then get sucked in for that and then come back and be like, nah, it's all good. And, like, jump back into real life.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. In a lot of ways, what you're describing was my childhood as well. And it's a little like a Hannah Montana.

[Daniella Monet]

Yes. Like, you live dual lives.

[Danielle Fishel]

A little bit. Dual lives. I loved going to my regular school with all my friends, my best friends still to this day are the people I met at 12 years old at AE Wright Caledonia. Like, those are all my best friends. And I didn't talk a lot about work. We just talked about, you know, boys and homework, Tests.

[Daniella Monet]

Sure.

[Danielle Fishel]

Football games, dances, all the normal stuff. And then it was like, all right, guys, I gotta. I'm gonna. I'll be back in three weeks. Yeah, I'm gonna go pop over here and do this weirdo thing.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, weird. I would just downplay it. Yeah, it's weird.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's awkward. But then I come back and then it's all back to normal.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah,

[Danielle Fishel]

I know. Most people are surprised to learn what OCD really is, because pop culture has spread the idea that it's just about being super neat and organized. But that's not accurate at all. My husband has ocd, and I can tell you it is so much more than that. Real OCD is a serious condition where you get unwanted, distressing thoughts called intrusive thoughts. They're stuck on repeat in your mind, often focusing on people or things we care about, like relationships, identity, or character, making them hard to ignore. And then you feel driven to do certain behaviors called compulsions to try to make the anxiety stop. This obsession and undying desire to make it go away can completely derail you for decades. Jensen ruined his own life and the happiness of those around him purely because he couldn't make the repeated worry go away. But he'd eventually learn it doesn't have to be that way, because OCD is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. Once you get the right kind of specialized therapy. OCD needs ERP therapy. That's exposure and response prevention, which has proven to be the most effective treatment. Regular talk therapy isn't recommended and can actually make OCD worse. NOCD is the world's leading OCD treatment provider, and all of their licensed Therapists specialize in ERP therapy with NOCD is 100% virtual, covered by insurance for over 138 million Americans and includes support between sessions so you never have to face OCD alone. To learn more about starting OCD therapy with no CD, go to nocd.com and book a free call with their team. That's n o c d.com hey, it's

[Ryan Seacrest]

Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Ready to save. It's time for cyber deals. Kick off summer with fresh savings that brighten the season. You don't want to miss these exclusive week long digital offers on your favorite products that are only available when you shop online. Save on eligible items from Gatorade, Oreo, Frito, Lay and Doug. Only available now through June 16th on pickup or delivery orders only. Restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.

[Bowen Yang]

This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture Research with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of yourself can feel impossible. That's why Premier Protein shakes are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness, it's for getting after life. Premier Protein powers me to say yes to more. Find your favorite [e-mail] that's P R E M I E R protein.com hey

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

everyone, it's Cal Penn, host of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast I'm sitting down with Wil Wheaton, who played Gordie Lachance in stand by me 40 years ago and now narrates Stephen King's the Body, the novella that inspired it all. We talk about what it's like to return to a story that shaped his life, channeling his memories of River Phoenix in the recording booth and why the friendships you have at 12 might be the most important ones you'll ever have. I know Gordie Lachance. I am Gordy Lachance.

[Daniella Monet]

Like, I mean, even when I was

[Bowen Yang]

a little kid, I was Gordie La Chance. When I did didn't know it.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn)]

Listen to Earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Danielle Fishel]

So who was your little crew? Like, if not not your regular friends

[Daniella Monet]

but like your gosh, like who was I coming up with a little bit?

[Danielle Fishel]

Who were you coming up with?

[Daniella Monet]

Oh my God.

[Danielle Fishel]

If you did Connect with. I mean, other celeb kids. Who were they?

[Daniella Monet]

I'm trying to think, oh, my goodness, who was it There was like, trying to think, you know what? I'm not gonna name too many that I was, like, close with. I just remember, like, we would see each other and it would be cool and friendly, like sets. Yeah. Like, Emma Roberts was cool. Yeah. We did the movie together. So I remember hanging out with her in real life because she lived in Hidden Hills, so I would drive her sometimes to work.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's amazing.

[Daniella Monet]

She didn't drive, I don't think, at that point. So I don't know. I mean, trying to think. It was not. I don't know if there was many, like, big celebrities, but if I, like, saw them, it would be very comfortable and cool. But a lot of kids lived out in Burbank or at the Oak woods, and I didn't. I only really came out for work or audition. So it wasn't like we were going on play dates exactly.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, it was. Yeah. And your parents then would have to make plans to get you together. You'd all, like, go. We used to go to Islands.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, yeah. Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

My mom. I have millions of photo shoots with random guys that were just guest starring on Boy Meets World. And my mom and his mom would like, kick hit it off. And they'd be like, let's all go to Islands after this. And then we'd have like a. We would just take a bunch of pictures in the Islands booth. Like, you know, also, great fries.

[Daniella Monet]

Great fries.

[Danielle Fishel]

Were you boy crazy as a teen? I was.

[Daniella Monet]

I was a late bloomer.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, okay.

[Daniella Monet]

I was a very late bloomer. I thought that. I think, like, I should have been a boy. Like, I was like, I'm a hang with the boys. But, like, you can't like me

[Danielle Fishel]

very much the same. I loved all. I loved all guy stuff.

[Daniella Monet]

Like, I loved guy stuff.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wanted to hang out with them, wanted to be around them. Thought about them all the time.

[Daniella Monet]

But maybe a little.

[Danielle Fishel]

But wasn't ready to have a boyfriend.

[Daniella Monet]

I was a very late bloomer. Even ask my husband.

[Danielle Fishel]

He'll be like, he's like, she still doesn't like me. We're married too.

[Daniella Monet]

It's the opposite. It's like, I'm so obsessed with him. I'm like, I'm living a movie. Like, he was like a high school quarterback and he had such a normal life and, like, has a real job.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love that for you. What's his normal job?

[Daniella Monet]

Well, he went to school to become an accountant, but now he's in like fintech sales. I don't know. Sometimes I'm like, what are you doing? You work at home and make a lot of calls on the phone. And we have the phone. Be quiet. Dad's on the phone.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. For Mother's Day, my son made me a card and he said that what the question, one of the questions was, what does mommy do for work? And he said, make calls and going somewhere. I was like, well, you're not wrong.

[Daniella Monet]

You're actually lucky you have that perspective. Because now my kids are like, they really like you because you're famous. And I'm like, that's weird. Like, I don't know if I like that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like my son said to me yesterday, ugh, why do all these people want to take your picture?

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, they hate it. Yeah. And they. Yes, yes. That is a funny thing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Sorry. Well, one of your victorious co stars, Leon Thomas, took home the American Music Award for breakthrough R B artist and even shouted out his Nickelodeon fans in his acceptance speech. Is his success in music a surprise to you?

[Daniella Monet]

Not at all. You know he. I think if. I know, like he and Ariana used to work together on music. So like he early days. Yes. Was like so gifted. I mean that whole cast, like, it honestly always feels like a fever dream that I was even part of it because each one was more successful than the next and so gifted.

[Danielle Fishel]

And I know you guys have really all grown up to be very cool and like not, not, not a lot of shows can say that, you know?

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, yeah, I feel lucky in that like we generally speaking all have some sort of like connection still. And like, you know how jobs are. It's like you become a family in two seconds and the second they call cut or rap, you're like, I'm gonna see you next week and we can't be a targe. I love you. And then nothing. Yeah, but with Victorious, there's something different. Like we're bonded in a really cool way. And even if we're not like hanging out all the time, like, I love them. I love each and every one of them and I will absolutely always be their biggest fan.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's so sweet you guys. Shot at the Nickelodeon studio on Sunset. It's a bit of a landmark now that sadly no longer exists, but at any given moment there were a handful of kids shows filming all at once. Could you give me any good Nickelodeon lot stories?

[Daniella Monet]

Like yes. Oh, I'm thinking of one. I don't even remember why, but Justin Bieber came and did a little thing with us. And I remember where my dressing room was. It was me, Victoria and Avan on one wing and then Ari, Liz and Leon had like another wing. And I think Matt was over there as well, trying to picture it. Anyways, they took over whose room was, I think maybe Avin's, and gave him Justin, like, like his own dressing room, which was right across from me.

[Danielle Fishel]

Look at that picture.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, yeah, there it is. Yeah. So like Ari and I, like all the girls are just like going nuts and we're like sitting in the dressing room and like now it no longer says Avent's name. It says Justin Bieber. We're in Justin Bieber's dressing room like thousand times before. So little and cute there. Like, it's not even the Justin Bieber we know now. But at the time he was still just as be religious, you know.

[Danielle Fishel]

Amazing to have this many decades of Bieber fever.

[Daniella Monet]

Bieber fever. I know, yeah. What a cutie. You know, there was great experiences. Like we overlapped, I think, with icarly at one point. So we did a movie together. And like, that was fun. Like it's always fun when you are with the same people all the time. It's like when you get a script and you're like, there's a guest star this week. Who's it gonna be? I hope he's cute.

[Danielle Fishel]

That was always me. I hope he's cute.

[Daniella Monet]

Well, that too. That, yeah. It's like built in dating services for everyone.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. I'm going to assume that this is a yes. Have you been slimed?

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, yes. Multiple times.

[Danielle Fishel]

Tell me about that experience.

[Daniella Monet]

The first time it was a novelty. I just thought, no way. My childhood dreams, like, coming true. Complete. We're done. We can pack it up. Yep, we're good. Bucket list done. And then you get slimed a number of times and you're realizing, wow. And we would do these game shows where you might get slimed on the first show, but you have like two more that you're shooting in that same day and now you're running to like whatever the little pop up tent trailer situation for the shower is. Have to reset, go through hair and makeup and turn around for the next episode just to get slimed again and do it all over again.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh my gosh. Okay. So it goes from being like the number one thing on my bucket list checked off to if you slide me

[Daniella Monet]

one more time, I'm like, these lashes were done so well. I am not taking these individuals off one more time.

[Danielle Fishel]

Is it hard to get out of here? Your hair, it's.

[Daniella Monet]

No, I just remember it being like, almost like Elmer's glue. What is it? I forgot because we've had to use it. They use it all the time in movies and stuff. Whatever that is, it's safe. I think you can eat it. I would not.

[Danielle Fishel]

I wouldn't try that. Yeah, I got. I had to be covered in honey once on an episode of Boy Meets World. And the only thing I remember about the. Literally covered in honey in front of a bear.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, my gosh.

[Danielle Fishel]

Don't remember anything about that. I do remember that washing my hair was annoying. That's the memories. Like getting honey out of your hair.

[Daniella Monet]

Well, you have, like, you have the hair of like a lifetime. Thank you very much. I dreamt of having hair like you at one point in my life. I dreamt of being you.

[Danielle Fishel]

You have gorgeous hair. You don't need anyone else's hair. It's just gorgeous. But allow me to tell you about Be Free by Danielle Fishel. You say less hair care line, I'll send it to you.

[Daniella Monet]

Say less. No, I'll be a customer.

[Danielle Fishel]

You'll get to. Oh, no, I'll send it to you. And if you love it, then the best reward is you being a customer. Oh, that's.

[Daniella Monet]

That's definitely me.

[Danielle Fishel]

On my other podcast, Pod Meets World, we have been rewatching our show as adults and we have run into what I've called hindsight problems. These are scenes or motifs or instances that seem problematic in 2026. But at the time as kids, it was just sort of this unspoken job that we had to keep quiet and do what's in the screen. I know Victorious has this problem occasionally now too, and I've wondered, how do you perceive it now that you're in your 30s?

[Daniella Monet]

How much time do we have? Just kidding. You know, I have like kind of a rose colored glasses approach to it all. It's just that, like, I grew up in this business and jokes that were funny then might not feel the same now. And things that, like, I was in a situation with at one point may feel uncomfy now, but, like, it's all perspective and, you know, it is what it is. The show has such a special place in my heart. And that time of my life was like a really, like, big growth period for all of us. And so in a lot of ways, like, I just couldn't imagine not having gone through that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I feel exactly the same way. I don't remember. Sure. Were there moments where things were like. Like, this is weird. Like, I Do definitely remember thinking, is this weird? And then you just move on. And it. And those moments are not things that I feel like have permanently scarred me. I look back on the time and think everyone has something totally. Everyone has their things totally. Ours were just preserved on television and now the Internet for everyone to witness. But you don't go through life unscathed or without having uncomfortable experiences or being put in situations that now you'd go, I wouldn't want anybody putting my kid in that situation. But, like, no one gets through it unscathed. So you also worked closely with arguably the first ever YouTube star to cross over to mainstream Fred Figglehorn. Most people didn't even know what YouTube was back then. And you were on his TV shows, in his movies, then his unrelated Nick show later on. Did anyone back then think YouTube would become what it has become?

[Daniella Monet]

Gosh, that's a great question. I mean, it was news to me, kind of, because I must have missed a little bit of that YouTube, like, startup culture.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Daniella Monet]

And I just remember the buzz around this kid and how, like, down to earth, he was like, he gen. He was just a kid that figured it out early and had a niche and he leaned in and people loved it. And that's what happens nowadays. It's just now so much more multiplied. And I. I don't know if we knew back then, like, what YouTube would become, but I'm. I'm really, in a way, like, grateful that YouTube exists. Because I don't know if you heard this a lot growing up, but I sure did, where I was like, how do I become an actress? And I'm like, now you guys, like, you actually have so much more power than I did. I had to commute to a room.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Daniella Monet]

Present myself, like, hope that they would like me enough to give me a chance, and then hope that that would, like, open doors. It just. It's such a different, different process now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, absolutely. Also, you can become a success by being authentically you.

[Daniella Monet]

Totally.

[Danielle Fishel]

Instead of trying to put yourself into the mold of a character or something that somebody else wants that, like, we're all craving more authenticity and seeing more of it. And so, yeah. The power kids have today.

[Daniella Monet]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

That we just couldn't have even dreamed of. Do you still keep in touch with Fred?

[Daniella Monet]

I haven't talked to him in years. I was actually. Yeah. I didn't even. I'm sure he's doing well. I think he probably was like, I'm good with this. Like, I made my money young. I'm gonna go live my Life.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Daniella Monet]

But, yeah, I'm happy for him.

[Danielle Fishel]

What do you think? If you had the power of YouTube at your fingertips when you were a kid.

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, my gosh.

[Danielle Fishel]

And hearing all about your side hustles, what do you think you would have made your niche YouTube career out of? What would you focus on?

[Daniella Monet]

Great question. What would I have focused on? Probably. I mean, I was such a Spice Girl, Stan. Like, I would probably just have an entire account on, like, lip syncing to every song and making some silly choreography up, and that would just be it. That would be the end.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'd love to see you as, like, a whole series on, what, your sixth Spice Girl. Like, what? You know what I mean?

[Daniella Monet]

There it is.

[Danielle Fishel]

You're, like, the sixth. And so you see the opening. They're all named. Who would you have been? What girl would you have been?

[Daniella Monet]

Well, I. Okay, let me think. Hold on. Cheffy Spice.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, I love Chef Y Spice. Yeah.

[Daniella Monet]

Like, she's just gonna chef it up. She can cook you something up.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yeah.

[Daniella Monet]

We're always gonna be.

[Danielle Fishel]

Sometimes it's drama.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah. You just never know what you're gonna get.

[Danielle Fishel]

So now this is something I know a little bit about. You are about to step back into the role of Trina Vega 10 years later for a Victorious spinoff. Stuff Hollywood Arts on Netflix.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

You'll be surrounded by a whole new generation of stars. How are you feeling about it?

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, man. Yeah, I. I was pretty emotional, to be honest. Like, I don't know if you felt that way. It was a so long time coming. Like, I think, you know, the show left us kind of open for something fresh and new and exciting. And I'm so grateful for the audience that, like, we're such big supporters of Victorious to allow us to do something like this. Because if there isn't a fandom, like, nowadays, you can't sell anything. So we're lucky that we had that so that we can, like, make a show that we think they'll love. And it feels really pretty amazing. Like, when I said, you know, I felt like at some point I was, like, an observer of the Victorious cast. Like, I was just happy to be there, and I couldn't believe that I got to be a part of it. Yeah, I still feel that way. So the fact that, like, I'm now in this spin off and in a way, like, on my own outside of that original cast is wild to me, but I don't think I would have done it if I didn't have their support. That was, like, number one for me.

[Danielle Fishel]

Did you have all those conversations before going into the meetings?

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah, it was a wild experience because there was talk of it for, you know, how things are. It's like, it's an idea for a while, and then it becomes sort of closer to being a real thing, and then it stops. And then you're like, yeah, it's not happening. And then one day, it, like, light bulb was like, yep, we're gonna announce that it's gonna happen. And I was like, no, no, no, no, no, wait, hold on. I gotta talk to everyone. Like, this can't be, like, announced without me having a conversation with everyone. I couldn't imagine them finding this out and not in the news from me. And so they were like, okay. Literally, they said, we'll give you 24 hours, but we're gonna announce that this is gonna get greenlit. And I went, oh, my gosh. I was on my phone, like, all of that day, like, calling, voice messaging, like, sending texts, like, trying to explain. Like, this has kind of been happening, but, like, I didn't think it would actually happen. And now it's gonna happen. Like, I'm lost, and I just need you guys to know and hear it from me and, like, I want to hear what your thoughts are. And every single response. Ari's being the longest was, like, so heartfelt and so supportive and, like, yeah, to this day, I'm like, God, I wish. Like, I'm not a voice memo keeper, but I'm like, man, I wish I would have kept those because the words were, like, so real. Things like, this is your chance to, like, make Nickelodeon, like, what it was for us growing up. Like, come back to, like, where we began, and, like, it was just really, really sweet. So I hope I did that.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love that. I'm so excited for you.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you. Did you ever. I mean, you said it's been in talks for a long time, but could you have imagined back when you were on the show, did you ever see this being.

[Daniella Monet]

No.

[Danielle Fishel]

Know, the thing that was. No.

[Daniella Monet]

Right? Not at all. I. I don't know. Maybe I have, like, a little imposter syndrome. But, like, I was just happy to be there. Like, I never thought that, like, it could come back and then I could, you know, be the one to. To be in the spin off. Like, that's nuts.

[Danielle Fishel]

So sweet.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Have you been surprised by how much you see yourself in the young girls in the cast?

[Daniella Monet]

Oh, my gosh. Do you see yourself a little bit? I don't know. They make girls different nowadays. Okay. They are way cooler. So in that regard, I think there's a bit of a disconnect. They're so mature and so cool. And you know, what I said about this experience that's like just different than any experience I've been in is that people have so much more self awareness. I thought that I was mature and confident, but I think a lot of it was just, just a front. Like I was just trying to figure it out and get by and like it till you make it fake it till that was more my narrative. Theirs is like authenticity, self awareness, like good communication. And that was really important for me because I want us to be like this. And I and I think like, you know, I got to come in as now like a ep, which is so wild for me. But I think the, the biggest part of that role for me is being somewhat of like modeling best practices because this is for a lot of them is their first show. A lot of them, it was their first table read, which was nuts. So seeing them just be such good humans and come together as such good humans, I'm like, shots, kiss.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. That's exactly how I felt too. Is like modeling what it means to be a professional on stage and to do this work and to have boundaries and to take care of yourself and to take care of your fellow actors and to, you know, so all of that was like the thing I was the most excited for and to be able to model kudos to you that you can start out very young in this industry and still be in it this many decades later and still be happy and still be thriving and have a good, happy, normal, successful life.

[Daniella Monet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And that that can be their future too. So very excited for you. Oh, thanks. Lucky for me, Daniella stuck around for a bonus Teen Beat that will air this Friday. On our dedicated feed, we get into so much more about her life and upcoming return to the victorious universe. Plus, we hear from a dear listener willing to share their own embarrassment in order to make us feel better. And remember to check out teenbeatpod.com for Teen Beat Merch. Teen Beat is an Iheart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo, producer and editor Tara Subaksha. The theme song is by Mark Hoppus. Yes, that Mark Hoppus. Follow us on Instagram @teenbeatpod.

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