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Topics: US News, Film and TV
Dominic Smithers
Topics: US News, Film and TV
Alexa Nikolas led a protest outside Nickelodeon's headquarters claiming she 'didn't feel safe' when she worked there.
The Zoey 101 star demanded that things change at the studio following her experience while working on the hit series.
She claims that she was forced to drink while under age, was given an unwanted massage by a TV exec and then offered money to keep quiet.
See how it unfolded here:
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The 30-year-old took to the streets to lead the 'Eat Predators' demonstration this week to demand answers and protect other young stars from similar treatment.
Speaking during an Instagram Live, the actor said: "I did not feel protected at Nickelodeon as a child, personally.
"I’m demanding that Nickelodeon starts protecting children and not predators."
In an interview with TMZ, Alexa said 'enough is enough'.
She told the outlet: "In my personal experience working on Zoey 101, I didn’t feel safe, I didn’t feel like Nickelodeon was protecting me or had my best interests in mind, and so after hearing so many different stories from different Nick stars it just feels like enough is enough.
"We’re here today trying to make a change."
She continued: "I think anyone is redeemable if they do the right things moving forward but they haven’t even given a comment and I find that awful because Jennette [McCurdy] and all of us deserve an apology.
"No more silencing."
This comes after iCarly star Jennette McCurdy came out and claimed she was offered hundreds of thousands of dollars in 'hush money' to ensure she wouldn't publicly discuss her time at Nickelodeon or experiences with a man she worked with, referred to as 'The Creator'.
In the actress’ new memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, the 30-year-old alleges that Nickelodeon presented her with $300,000 (£248,498) to keep quiet over the alleged abuse she faced at the network.
In an excerpt published by Vanity Fair, McCurdy doesn’t mention her alleged abuser by name, but refers to him as ‘The Creator’ and explains that he urged her to drink alcohol aged 18, with the US legal drinking age being 21.
She also claimed he massaged her shoulders in an inappropriate manner, writing: “I want to say something, to tell him to stop, but I’m so scared of offending him.”
The actress starred in Nickelodeon’s iCarly from 2007 to 2012 before landing her own show, Sam & Cat, on the network, however it was cancelled after one season.
Recalling the day she learned the sitcom was axed, McCurdy claimed a member of her team told her that Nickelodeon was 'offering [her] $300,000' and that she should 'think of it like a thank-you gift'.
She wrote that one of her manager’s said: “They’re giving you $300,000 and the only thing they want you to do is never talk publicly about your experience at Nickelodeon,” which she claimed was in reference to her experiences 'specifically related to The Creator'.
UNILAD has contacted Nickelodeon for a comment.
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