Long before it became a viral TikTok sensation, Victoria Justice’s Halloween anthem, “Love Zombie,” was a heartfelt creation penned during her teenage years. Now, 15 years after its original conception, Justice has re-recorded and officially released the track, marking a pivotal moment in her journey as an independent artist and setting the stage for exciting new music.
The world of music is often unpredictable, and for actress and singer Victoria Justice, this truth has manifested in the most delightful way. Her song, “Love Zombie,” initially written when she was just 17, has unexpectedly exploded in popularity more than a decade later, thanks to a viral resurgence on TikTok. This newfound spotlight has not only brought the track to a wider audience but has also invigorated Justice’s independent music career, leading to a fresh re-recording and plans for even more new material.
The Unexpected Resurgence of “Love Zombie”
The journey of “Love Zombie” is a testament to the unpredictable nature of viral content. Originally conceived by Justice at 17, the song saw an initial demo release but gained significant traction through TikTok in recent years. Justice herself expressed surprise at its renewed popularity, telling Us Weekly, “Never in a million years would I have expected that a song that I wrote when I was 17 would continue to have life in 2025.” This organic fan-driven success prompted Justice to revisit the track, leading to a fully produced, updated version.
The re-recorded “Love Zombie” is described by Justice as “dark, sexy and fun,” making it a perfect fit for the spooky season, but also a tune with broader appeal. It’s a testament to the song’s timeless quality that it could resonate with a new generation of listeners over a decade after its creation. The accompanying lyric video further enhances its eerie charm, featuring Justice in zombie makeup and striking black and red aesthetics.
Embracing Independence: A New Chapter for Justice’s Music
The success of “Love Zombie” arrives at a pivotal moment for Victoria Justice’s music career, as she navigates the landscape as an independent artist. After past experiences with major labels, including a deal with Columbia Records that “didn’t work out for a multitude of reasons,” Justice made a conscious decision to step back from traditional label routes and focus more on acting, notably a show for MTV. However, music has always remained “something that I love and that is going to be a part of me,” as she shared in an interview with Audacy.
Her decision to go independent stems from a desire for creative freedom. She now enjoys the ability to release music she loves without external interference, noting that “there’s no one to tell me like, no, you can’t do this or you have to do it this way or whatever.” This autonomy allows her to pursue projects like the re-release of “Love Zombie” and other new singles such as “Tripped” and “Raw,” which she dropped earlier in 2024.
While the independent path offers unparalleled creative control, Justice acknowledges its challenges. “Being independent is a grind,” she admitted. “It’s tough because I’m fully self-funded. I don’t have the machine behind me that’s going to get me at the top of these major playlists.” Despite the hurdles, she views it as a marathon, not a sprint, currently in a “building phase” and committed to engaging her audience consistently.
The Creative Process Behind Justice’s New Music
Justice’s independent journey has rekindled her passion for songwriting, a “bug” she caught at 16 during her first writing session for her hit show Victorious. She’s been working with renowned producer Toby Gad, known for hits like Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and John Legend’s “All of Me.” This collaboration, initially planned for a writing camp in Baja Mexico, has yielded new tracks and deepened her creative exploration.
Her latest single, “Raw,” was born from journaling, as she reflected on what she truly seeks in love—acceptance of her “awkward, messy, sad, and all my sexy, my anxious my lovely, my weird, and all my ugly.” Inspired by empowering songs like Meredith Brooks’ “B*tch” and Des’ree’s “Gotta Be,” Justice aims to create music that is both authentic and empowering, reflecting universal themes of vulnerability in new relationships. The candid interview with Pride touches on her broader approach to releasing music, including the playful mention of releasing on the same day as artists like Taylor Swift, showcasing her confident and independent spirit.
Justice’s upcoming music slate includes:
- More new singles in the pipeline.
- Plans for accompanying music videos.
- A long-term goal of releasing an EP or a full album.
Beyond Music: Justice’s Cinematic Ventures
While music is a clear focus, Justice continues to balance her passions. She recently wrapped filming for her latest project, “Send a Scare,” a horror-thriller film. The movie explores an interactive startup that allows users to send scares to loved ones, a concept that takes a sinister turn when a real-life killer infiltrates a company demonstration. Justice expressed enthusiasm for the script’s unique venture capital setting and her character, Callie, an “underappreciated and overworked” individual striving to make ends meet, finding her immensely relatable.
From the viral success of a teenage melody to her determined push as an independent artist and her ongoing acting career, Victoria Justice is charting a dynamic and authentic path in the entertainment industry. “Love Zombie” is not just a Halloween track; it’s a symbol of her enduring creativity and connection with her dedicated fanbase.
