Rebooted, Not Recreated: Why Hollywood Arts Doesn’t Sound the Same
On Oct. 15, 2026, the Victorious reboot, Hollywood Arts, premiered on Netflix, with future releases scheduled for Nickelodeon and Paramount+. Since its debut, fans of the original show have criticized the series for its plot development, character choices, and humor. This controversy stems largely from concerns that the new show lacks authenticity. However, this argument may be most prevalent when comparing the music of the two shows.
In Victorious, the music was not only used to move the plot forward, but also to create standalone classics associated with the show’s identity. The show’s soundtrack drew from pop, R&B, and pop-rock, creating songs that felt different from one another while still belonging to a world shared by its viewers.
Songs like “Take a Hint” or “Give It Up” had memorable melodies, chord progressions, and dynamic changes that actually built on themselves. Additionally, lyrics, electric guitars, bass, drum arrangements, backing vocals, keyboard arrangements, and synthesizers were used to create a unique yet recognizable sound that allowed for the songs to work independently from the show.
“I would say that the original songs were catchier and fit the show really well, whereas now, the reboot songs don’t match the vibe of the show and they are way different and modern. The original singers, especially Ariana Grande and Victoria Justice, had stronger vocals and their voices blended really well, while the reboot singers don’t have the same energy as the original singers,” said sophomore Noelia Rivera.
The show’s music wasn’t just a product of its songwriting and production. Much of its appeal came from the performers themselves. The original cast brought together totally distinct vocal styles, including Elizabeth Gillies’ edgy, theatrical delivery and Victoria Justice’s pop-star interpretations. These strong solo voices helped to create a name for the series.
“I loved how every episode had something different going on, and the humor was just so naturally funny to me. It was something I could watch after school, laugh at, and genuinely look forward to. It also reminds me of growing up and watching it with my sister, so there’s a lot of nostalgia with it,” said sophomore at Terra Environmental Research Institute, Samantha Oppenheimer.
On the other hand, Hollywood Arts includes much shorter and more comedic musical pieces that suggest a different approach to combining music with storytelling. It uses a soundtrack of original songs, covers, and licensed music. Its 16-track album includes renditions of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
While these selections introduce a variety of musical influences, “Recap Song” and “Clocked” are two original songs from the show that serve a more humorous purpose.
Within the soundtrack’s original songs, “Here to Stay” and “Born for This” serve as especially important introductions to the new series’ music. Both emphasize ambition, self-discovery, and finding a place in the entertainment industry, all of which reflect the experiences of the show’s performers.
Just because Hollywood Arts has a different style than its predecessor, however, does not mean its music is inferior. Its new approach to songwriting and production should also be considered on its own instead of being measured against Victorious’ approach.
Ariana Grande, whose musical career was largely contributed to by Victorious, is widely considered the most vocally agile from the sitcom because she uses a vocal technique called melisma, the practice of singing multiple pitches on a single syllable. She is also regarded for her famous whistle notes, as she is proficient in using the whistle register to hit exceptionally high notes that extend past the typical head voice and falsetto ranges of many sopranos.
Emmy Liu Wang’s character in Hollywood Arts, Pepper, is often compared to Ariana Grande’s character in Victorious, Cat. This is not only because of their bubbly personalities, but also because of their vocal abilities. Although Emmy does not sing in the same R&B-influenced style as Ariana, she is able to hit especially high notes using her mix register and can transition between registers in a similar fashion.
In addition to distinct voices, the two series also differ in how their singers are produced. Victorious embraced the heavily polished sound of the early 2010s, whereas Hollywood Arts has a less “auto-tuned” sound, which some viewers interpret as a loss of an iconic musical identity. This, combined with less use of synthesizers and other instrumental layers, made the reboot seem “tone deaf” to some.
High school students across the world remember music from the original show, and for many, this music became part of the experiences and memories that defined their childhood. Whether through school performances or songs shared among friends or family, music has a way of bringing people together. At MLEC, where students also have opportunities to explore music and the performing arts, that connection is familiar.
The difference between Victorious and Hollywood Arts is bigger than their casts or soundtracks. The reboot introduces a new generation of performers and its own musical direction, but it has yet to capture the production and songwriting that made the original so memorable. After all, a show’s music is part of what makes it worth remembering.
