Quiet on Set: which Nickelodeon child stars spoke up? Drake Bell and Alexa Nikolas appeared on the explosive docuseries, while Amanda Bynes and Ariana Grande are yet to address the horrific abuse allegations

Apr 7 , 2024

Drake Bell and others have appeared on Quiet on Set to make allegations of abuse while working on Nickelodeon TV shows while other teen stars, like Amanda Bynes and Ariana Grande, have stayed silent. Photo: @PopBase/X

Drake and Josh’s Drake Bell and Josh Peck, and Alexa Nikolas of Zoey 101, have all exposed an alleged culture of abuse cultivated backstage at Nickelodeon, while Josh Peck and Kenan Thompson have spoken up in support

The Amanda Show’s Bynes, Drake and Josh’s Miranda Cosgrove, and Ariana Grande and Elizabeth Gillies (of Victorious) are yet to make a public statement on the allegations against producer Dan Schneider and voice coach Brian Peck

It comes as no surprise that the entertainment industry has a dark side, giving opportunities to those wanting to exploit and manipulate the young, naive and powerless. In recent years we have seen a wave of accusations against major industry figures and big stars – Harvey Weinstein, R. Kelly, and more recently, P. Diddy.

Child actors are especially vulnerable. In the past, stars from Drew Barrymore to Macaulay Culkin have expressed how difficult it can be to work as a child actor. Early exposure to an adult lifestyle, for one, put both of those actors on the path to drug and alcohol abuse.

People magazine cover from 1989, featuring Drew Barrymore. Photo: @arttavana/X

Many big names in entertainment today got their start on children’s shows on Disney and Nickelodeon channels. While many have thrived, others like Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes, have experienced serious setbacks and mental health issues.

Amanda Bynes off camera. Photo: @amandaamandaamanda1986/Instagram

Bynes, now 38, has been in conservatorship, rehab and a psychiatric ward. In a now-deleted post on X, she revealed the dark side of the child entertainment industry, alleging her father had manipulated her, sexually and otherwise, though she subsequently apologised for these allegations.

Amanda Bynes in The Amanda Show (1999). Photo: Nickelodeon

The recent tell-all series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, has revealed alleged abuse on the set of Nickelodeon shows, including that Bynes had an unusual and inappropriate relationship with the producer of the namesake The Amanda Show (1999-2002), Dan Schneider.

TV producer Dan Schneider. Photo: @StardustNova27/X

Though Bynes reportedly turned down involvement in the docuseries, currently airing on three pay TV networks run by Warner Bros., several actors who grew up on Nickelodeon sets came forward to share their experiences and the alleged abuse they suffered under Schneider and others.