• Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies opens up about her enduring friendship with Ariana Grande and how they’ve remained so close since they starred together 13: The Musical And Victorious
• The actress and singer tells PEOPLE viewers will be “blown away” by Grande’s performance Bad
• Gillies also shares his thoughts on old screens Victorious boyfriend Avan Jogia’s engagement to pop star Halsey: “I think they might be the hottest couple ever”

Friendship is synonymous Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies And Ariana Grande.

The talented couple met at a young age and made their Broadway debut. 13: The Musical and appeared on Nickelodeon Victorious. They have remained great friends ever since and constantly support each other’s projects; so it should come as no surprise that Gillies “couldn’t be more proud” of Grande’s leading role as Galinda/Glinda in the upcoming season. Bad film.

“I know how important this project is to him. When I met him when I was 13-14, Bad It was his show, and Glinda was his daughter, the 31-year-old actor and singer told PEOPLE. We would sing songs together and he would tell me about his dream of playing this role. I know how hard you worked throughout the audition process and how much you wanted it. It’s incredibly well earned.”

When Bad (also starring Cynthia Erivo Elphaba) is set to hit theaters on November 22, Gillies predicts audiences will be “blown away” by Grande’s performance. “He’s phenomenal and I’m so proud of him,” he says. “Really, there’s absolutely nothing he can’t do at this point. He’s proven that.”

Over the past ten years Victorious Since it ended in 2013, the two stars have maintained an incredibly tight-knit bond, showcased in part through their annual Halloween costume reenactments of characters from movies like the one below. showgirls And Best in Show.

Gillies also appeared in Grande’s 2018 film. “Thank you, Next” The music video appeared the following year at one of the Sweetener Tour shows for a nostalgic rendition of the duet “Give It Up” from the Nickelodeon sitcoms, supporting the recent Grammy winner while hosting. Saturday Night Live.

What is the secret of their lasting friendship? “We really make an effort to see each other,” Gillies explains. “We laugh, reminisce, and make new memories. I think a lot of times when you have friends from childhood, you have to make new memories to maintain the friendship. Otherwise, you just reminisce about the past and make new memories. Together once a year.”

“I see Ariana all the time, and we’re always doing things, having new experiences, and adding chapters to our book,” he continues. “I’m so grateful that we’ve been able to go on this crazy journey together, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. This is such an exciting chapter for her, and I feel so lucky to be able to watch it so close with her.”

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Grande is not the only one Victorious alumnus Gillies remains close today. In fact, he says some of the main cast members still have an active group chat — mostly for memes or trying to make plans, which is “more difficult” these days since most of them spend most of their time in Los Angeles.

“The love is still there and I hope we do something together soon because we’re having so much fun and it was such a special time,” he says of the series in which he starred. Victoria JusticeMatt Bennett, Leon Thomas III and Daniella Monet. “I mean, no one really understood that time. We were bonded for life. It was really special.”

Next topic of discussion Victorious Hangout is Gillies’ on-screen ex-boyfriend Avan Jogiaengagement to pop star halsey. “I think they might be the hottest couple ever,” says Gillies, who stars Jade West opposite Jogia as Beck Oliver on the series.

while Dynasty star has yet to meet Halsey in person, saying: “I’m sure he’s absolutely amazing because he’s an incredible guy. He really just surrounds himself with good, good people and he seems so happy.”

“So this would have been even better if it wasn’t for Beck and Jade,” he adds. “They’re great together.”

Gillies is preparing to perform Limited shows at Café Carlyle He was in New York from November 6 to November 9 and recently released a new single: “What Have You Done” with Ferry Townes.