Actress Daniella Monet, recognized for her role as Trina Vega in Nickelodeon’s hit teen sitcom “Victorious,” has officially made her return to acting after stepping away from Hollywood to focus on raising her growing family.
Monet, 35, who shares two children, Gio, 5, and Ivry, 3, with her husband, Andrew Gardner, stars in the Hallmark Channel’s new Christmas film “Holiday Crashers,” which premieres on Oct. 19.
The actress, who last appeared in the 2019 comedy series “Cousins for Life” and the 2020 indie film “Aloha Surf Hotel,” told The Epoch Times via email that working with the beloved family network was a profoundly fulfilling experience.
“I’m not going to lie, it was better than I could’ve imagined,” she said. “For well over a decade, I had seen a future on Hallmark, which felt like the natural progression from Nickelodeon, because I love making family-friendly/feel-good TV.”
Monet said the film’s wholesome, family-friendly plot initially piqued her interest in the project.
‘Holiday Crashers’
Monet said she felt right at home working with the entire cast and the film’s executive producer Lee Friedlander.
“[He] was so collaborative, which made it an even more creative process,” she said. “Everyone was kind.”
Monet stars alongside fellow mom and actress Lyndsy Fonseca in the film. Fonseca is best known for her roles in the 2010 superhero film “Kick-Ass” and the soap opera “The Young and the Restless.”
“Funny enough, we had never met but found out we had the same doula! Instantly, we felt bonded,” Monet said of her costar.
“She’s easy to love and so funny. Our personalities on and off camera complimented one another very well, which I think helps bring [our characters] to life.”
The actresses play best friends Toni, portrayed by Fonseca, and Bri, played by Monet, who have been employed at a card shop for years, all the while grappling to find their true path in life.
Reflecting back on making the comedy film, Monet said she especially enjoyed all of the laughs she had both on and off the screen.
“The fact that this movie was light was the highlight. We could really play with our characters and have a good time,” she said.
Journey to Motherhood
Monet made her debut on the small screen in 1997, appearing in an episode of the USA Network’s crime drama series “Pacific Blue.”She went on to star in a variety of television shows throughout the aughts, including “American Dreams,” “Still Standing,” “8 Simple Rules,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “Listen Up,” “Zoey 101,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” and “iCarly.”
In 2007, she landed roles in the films “Taking 5” and “Nancy Drew,” the latter of which starred Emma Roberts and Tate Donovan. Three years later, she garnered her breakout part playing Trina Vega in “Victorious” alongside actresses Victoria Justice, Elizabeth Gillies, and Ariana Grande.
Monet welcomed her son, Gio, in September 2019. The actress took to Instagram last month to share a touching birthday tribute to her first child.
Monet gave birth to her second child, daughter Ivry, in February 2021. “Baby girl is here, big, beautiful & healthy,” Gardner said in a statement at the time, per People. “@daniellamonet is a champion and we couldn’t be more in love. Thank you for all your support.”
Speaking to The Epoch Times, the actress said stepping away from acting to devote time to her family was “a huge growth experience.”
“It was incredible,” she said. “I felt grounded and rocked all at the same time, and I waited until I had absolute clarity that I was ready to reinvest myself into my work.”
As for what the future holds for her acting career, Monet teased the possibility of starring in another Hallmark Channel original.
“I really hope so,” she said about the prospect of working with the network again. “Rumor has it, you may. :)”
