Who is Ariana Grande’s Friend Matt Bennett? The ‘Victorious’ Star Made Her a New Hit Mashup
It helps to be friends with superstars. Matt Bennett is a talented actor in his own right, but his connection to Grammy-winner Ariana Grande is an asset, especially when it comes to getting attention from other popular musicians. Here’s how the two celebrities became friends, what that looks like today, and the mashup track he created just for her.
Matt Bennett and Ariana Grande starred in ‘Victorious’ together
Bennett and Grande began starring in Victorious from the show’s premiere in 2010. The former portrayed Robbie Shapiro, a puppeteer who was rarely seen without his snarky sidekick, Rex. Grande, meanwhile, was Cat Valentine, a sweet yet clueless fellow student at the fictional Hollywood Arts High School.
Along with the rest of the cast, including Liz Gillies and Avan Jogia, the central actors played a group of friends who Tori (Victoria Justice) meets when she begins attending the school in Season 1. Victorious ran for four seasons, ending in 2013.
They remain friends to this day
Victorious was one of the first jobs for most of the cast, and came at a very formative time in their lives. Because of this, they have remained close over the years. And as Grande is the most famous of her former co-stars these days, she has provided her friends with opportunities over the years.
In 2019 alone, Bennett appeared in the music video for Grande’s hit single “Thank U, Next” off the album of the same name. He then attended her Halloween party. Not long after, he and Gillies attended Grande’s Atlanta show, where he performed “I Think You’re Swell,” a song Robbie sang to Cat on Victorious.
What is Bennett up to in 2020?
Prior to Victorious, Bennett had two credited TV appearances. While it is his only main role in a series to date, he has continued to act in the years since, in episodes of series such as The Big Bang Theory, Fresh Off the Boat, and Grey’s Anatomy. He had a recurring role in Season 2 of American Vandal.
These days, Bennett is a bit more focused on music. He occasionally DJs and curates playlists. Bennett also performs other live shows here and there.
The mashup he created for Grande
Like so, Bennett has a SoundCloud. Back in Feburary 2020, he uploaded a track titled “I Write Breakups When Im Bored.” It’s a mash-up of Grande’s 2019 single “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” and the 2005 Panic! At the Disco hit “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.”
At the time, the song didn’t receive much attention. However, a month later, Bennett played it on an Instagram Live stream, and then shared it again on his Twitter. Grande got wind of it, writing, “I only want to perform this version moving forward.”
And she wasn’t the only one to take note. The official Twitter account for Panic! At the Disco also chimed in, writing, “This mashup calls for a toast.” If he didn’t already, it looks like Bennett could have more DJ/musical opportunities coming his way in the future.
