Former star of Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101, Matthew Underwood, has recently revealed that he was sexually harassed and assaulted by his former agent, leading to his decision to quit acting. In a heartfelt statement posted on his Instagram account, Underwood shared the details of the traumatic ordeal he faced.

Underwood’s decision to speak out came after the release of the documentary series, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which highlighted allegations against Dan Schneider, the creator of Zoey 101. Despite facing backlash and online harassment, Underwood felt it was essential to share his story to bring attention to the issue and support his fellow co-stars who have remained silent.

The former child actor addressed the hate and abuse he has received for speaking out. He expressed his resilience and emphasized that the hurtful words had minimal impact on his self-image. Many others in the industry may also face harassment and abuse for staying silent, and he hopes his disclosure will encourage empathy and understanding.

Matthew Underwood portrayed the character of Logan Reese throughout the four seasons of the Nickelodeon series Zoey 101. He had a positive experience working on the show and had nothing but praise for his co-stars and the series creator Dan Schneider. Although he acknowledged Schneider’s past behavior, he maintains his belief in personal growth and change.

Underwood expressed his wish for a brighter future for everyone, including Dan Schneider, and hopes that the industry can foster an environment where everyone can enjoy working together. He clarified that he does not expect to work with Schneider again but wants the best for everyone who strives to be better.