In an effort to promote literacy and help put books in the hands of young readers, Victoria Justice recently partnered with JetBlue for their Soar with Reading Program, and the initiative sounds awesome. Together, Victoria and JetBlue – and other partners Random House Children’s Books and Mary Pope Osborne – are helping encourage kids to read and use their imaginations, and giving books to kids who don’t have any. Wow! We were totally inspired by Victoria’s involvement, and since we love books (and chatting with our favorite stars!), we took the opportunity to talk to Victoria about the program and herself.
BOP&TB: How did you hear about JetBlue’s Soar with Reading Program? What made you want to get involved?
Victoria Justice: Reading has been one of my favorite hobbies for as long as I can remember. Something most of us take for granted is how lucky we are to have access to all sorts of books. Not everyone has that opportunity, which is why programs like JetBlue’s Soar with Reading are so important. I felt really honored and excited when they approached me to come on board to spread the word and encourage everyone to get involved. Through the program, JetBlue is asking people to help them donate up to $500,000 worth of books to kids in underserved communities. Everyone can get involved too – just visit www.SoarwithReading.com and place a guess about where Magic Tree House characters Jack & Annie are traveling. Each guess triggers a book donation!
BOP&TB: What book has been the most influential for you? What book has stayed with you over the years?
Victoria Justice: There’s a book that I love and I keep out on a table so I can always keep reading it. It’s great because when other people come over to visit me, they pick it up and start reading it. Everyone loves it; it’s titled, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… and It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
BOP&TB: If you were stranded on a deserted island, and all you had for entertainment was a single book, which book would you want it to be? If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, which book would you pick, and why?
Victoria Justice: If I was stranded on a desert island I would definitely be reading How To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse… because, you really never know, lol.
BOP&TB: If you could snap your fingers and have a sequel to any book you’ve ever read, which book (or book series) would you want to read more of?
Victoria Justice: I don’t know about a sequel, but I do love reading motivational, inspirational, self-help books and biographies.
BOP&TB: Which book character would be your dream role? If you could play any book character, which character would you pick and why?
Victoria Justice: I recently did a movie called, Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List. I loved my character and it’s a very relatable and modern day coming of age story. It’s a role I’m very proud of. I loved playing Naomi. I’m excited for people to see it.
BOP&TB: Soar with Reading is also partnering with Mary Pope Osborne, the author of the Magic Tree House series. If you had a magical tree house like Jack and Annie that could take you to different times and places, where or when would you want to go?
Victoria Justice: I would want to explore so many different eras. One of my first stops would be the ’70s. My mom tells me so many amazing stories from her young adult life; she said it was so glamorous, so much fun. Discos were really big then and she and all of her friends were really into club dancing. It would be more than cool to go back there and get to hang and do “the Hustle” with her and her crowd.
BOP&TB: You had such great chemistry with all of your costars on VicTORious – is there anyone you still keep in touch with regularly, or anyone you’d love to collaborate with on future projects?
Victoria Justice: Avan and I are currently filming a movie together right now in NYC. The rest of the cast and I still keep in touch from time to time. It’s so hard afterwards, because everyone is off and doing their own thing and trying to figure out what they’re going to do next. We all did something amazing together that will always live on in pop culture and there will always be that bond. I feel the same way about my Zoey 101 cast. That bond will always be there.
BOP&TB: What’s the most played song in your iTunes library?
Victoria Justice: It would have to be “Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance.
BOP&TB: If in some Freaky Friday-like mix up you could trade bodies and lives with any other celebrity for a week, who would it be and why?
Victoria Justice: It would probably be Robert De Niro, because he is one of my favorite actors and I would love to see his process on how he prepares, even if it’s only for a week. At the end of the week, I would then throw a huge house party and invite Martin Scorsese, David O. Russell, Meryl Streep, and so many other great actors and directors he has worked with over the years. Of course they would have to come, because I’m Robert De Niro.
BOP&TB: What’s something about you that most people don’t know, or something that would surprise your fans? Do you have any hidden talents that you haven’t been able to showcase yet?
Victoria Justice: They would be surprised to know that I can do a pretty good impression of Robert De Niro.
Victoria’s partnership with the Soar with Reading program sounds awesome, and it was so cool to get to learn more about her! We definitely were surprised to learn about her Robert De Niro impression, LOL! What do you think of Victoria’s involvement with the program? Will you participate and step up your reading game this summer?
Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Twitter, and don’t forget to check out the Soar with Reading website to help donate a book!
