Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell has spoken out against “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide” stars following their reaction to recent abuse allegations within the Nickelodeon network, dubbing their response as “Declassless.”
Bell, who recently disclosed his own experience of sexual assault by Nickelodeon dialogue and acting coach Brian Peck during his time on shows like “All That” and “The Amanda Show,” expressed disappointment in his former colleagues’ handling of the sensitive issue.
Devon Werkheiser, Lindsay Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee, known for their roles on “Ned’s Declassified,” had made light-hearted remarks about the abuse allegations against other Nickelodeon figures during an episode of their podcast discussing the show. Their comments, which briefly joked about the allegations, sparked controversy amidst the ongoing conversation surrounding abuse in the entertainment industry.
In a TikTok live video on Monday, Werkheiser and Shaw were seen addressing the topic before Werkheiser attempted to steer the conversation away from the sensitive subject matter. However, Bell took offense to their remarks, particularly Werkheiser’s joke about Lee, and expressed his disapproval on Twitter.
“Ned’s Declassless… this is wild… laugh it up guys… laugh it up. ‘Give me your h*les!!’ Really?!” Bell wrote in response to the TikTok video.
In addition to his social media response, Bell released a new music video titled “I Kind of Relate,” where he addresses the trauma from his past experiences. The video, featuring Bell playing guitar in a set reminiscent of his character’s bedroom from “Drake & Josh,” reflects on his journey of healing and overcoming shame.
“This song was inspired by my past and now that my story is being told I felt the time was right to share it,” Bell wrote in the caption of the YouTube video.
Bell’s reaction underscores the importance of addressing abuse allegations with sensitivity and respect, particularly within the context of the ongoing dialogue surrounding the treatment of child actors in the entertainment industry. As the conversation continues, Bell’s candid response serves as a reminder of the need for accountability and empathy in discussing these complex issues.
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