Note: This post mentions sexual assault. Zoey 101 star Matthew Underwood recently revealed the reason behind his decision to step away from acting. His revelation comes in the wake of the documentary series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which shed light on the alleged toxic and abusive environment at Nickelodeon, particularly focusing on creator Dan Schneider.
In an Instagram post, Underwood disclosed that at the age of 19, he was sexually harassed and assaulted by his agent, who had initially gained his trust as a friend and mentor. Despite reporting the incident to the agency and the subsequent firing of the agent, Underwood's experience led him to leave Los Angeles and abandon his acting career.
Following the documentary's release, Underwood expressed that he had refrained from speaking out immediately due to personal reasons and highlighted the importance of understanding individuals' decisions to remain silent on such matters. He emphasized the need for empathy and urged against harassing actors who choose to maintain their privacy.
Contrary to the negative experiences shared by other former child actors in the docuseries, Underwood stated that he had positive experiences while working on Nickelodeon shows and had no negative encounters with Dan Schneider. He expressed his belief in people's capacity for growth and change, including Schneider's acknowledgment of past behavior.
In response to the allegations raised in the documentary, Nickelodeon issued a statement affirming their commitment to investigating formal complaints and ensuring a safe and professional workplace environment, particularly prioritizing the well-being of their employees, casts, crew, and young audiences.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or by contacting the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (4.A.CHILD) if there are concerns about child abuse. Seeking help and reporting incidents of abuse are crucial steps towards creating a safer environment for everyone.
