Kennedy Political Union hosted actor and singer Liz Gillies at the Mary Graydon Student Center on April 23 as the spring semester came to a close. With a spontaneous conversational style, Gillies transformed what could have been a structured interview into a personal and dynamic discussion that captivated the room.
Best known for portraying Jade West on “Victorious” and Fallon Carrington on “Dynasty,” Gillies has spent over a decade working in television and music. Gillies talked in detail about the personal growth in her career and navigating the entertainment industry while also maintaining a strong sense of self alongside her characters.
“Fallon, I think, taught me to be stronger, taught me to stand up for myself more, made me more comfortable being assertive and taking charge,” she said.
Throughout the conversation, Gillies stressed the importance of self-advocating in professional environments, and said this skill became increasingly important as she grew within the entertainment industry. She also acknowledged the unique challenges women often face when speaking up for themselves.
“I have a responsibility because I do have a platform, and it is exciting to me when I see that any change has been made or that I was able to impact anybody,” Gillies said.
The entertainment industry has gone through noticeable changes in recent years, including an increase in female representation in directing and writing roles. Gillies acknowledged that even though progress has been made, she believes there is still work to be done to create more equitable opportunities and support systems for young performers.
In addition to her professional experiences, Gillies talked about the role of social media in her career and the importance of maintaining boundaries to protect her personal life. She explained how she chooses to keep most of her life private from the public eye, allowing her to keep a sense of normalcy and stay grounded.
She encouraged students to prioritize their own well-being and avoid being consumed by online opinions and constant engagement on social media platforms. Gillies also emphasized the value of taking risks and viewing discomfort as an opportunity for growth.
“If something scares you, that’s probably the time to try it,” Gillies said. “Because I’ve only really grown from doing things that really freaked me out, and after I told myself I couldn’t do them. And there’s no better feeling than when you do the thing you thought you couldn’t do.”
Joaquin Rua, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, attended the event and said that Gillies’ continued curiosity in many different roles stood out to him.
“I think the biggest thing I took away is that, even once you’ve established your career or fallen into a pattern, you have to be careful not to box yourself in. [Gillies] expanded her career in every way she could, whether that was producing or designing,” Rua said.
As the conversation came to a close, Gillies left the crowd with a final reminder about balance, both in their careers and in how they present themselves to the world in general. She encouraged students to take a step back and trust their instincts, without allowing constant feedback to define their sense of self. Growth, she said, comes from knowing when to engage and when to just walk away.
“When something is meant for you, it will come to you with hard work, and you just gotta keep going.”
This article was edited by Olivia Wood, Cara Halford and Gabrielle McNamee. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman, Mattie Lupo and Ryan Sieve.
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