Victoria Justice has brought a vibrant blend of dance and Halloween scares with the official release of her new single, “Love Zombie.” This track, originally recorded when Justice was just 17 years old, remained unreleased for years until an unofficial version was leaked online, captivating fans globally. The song’s journey from a shelved demo to a viral sensation culminated in 2024 when TikTok videos featuring “Love Zombie” garnered millions of views, igniting a fervent demand for an official release.

The unexpected resurgence of the “lost” song prompted Justice to re-record and officially launch the fan favorite, incorporating subtle changes and updates. “This is fully me and the fans making this happen,” Justice revealed in an exclusive interview with Collider. Following the re-release, she discussed the song's origins, the online phenomenon that spurred its revival, and hinted at future musical endeavors.

Justice expressed her initial surprise at “Love Zombie” going viral, noting, “This is not normal. This doesn't normally happen for me.” She recalled seeing the leaked version years prior and being struck by the overwhelmingly positive fan comments, with many demanding its official release. When her social media team started sending her TikTok videos with millions of views featuring the song, she realized the magnitude of its popularity. This organic fan-driven movement was the primary motivation behind her spontaneous decision to “resurrect” and release the track officially. Justice shared her long-standing affection for the song, always considering it “so fun and campy and perfect for Halloween,” making October the ideal time for its debut.

As an independent artist, Justice highlighted the grassroots success of “Love Zombie,” which has neared one million streams on platforms without the backing of a major record label or editorial playlists. “I'm fully self-funded,” she stated, emphasizing that the achievement is a testament to the collective effort of herself and her dedicated fanbase. Regarding the creative decisions behind the official lyric and visualizer videos, Justice explained the constraints of working with a budget as an independent artist. Instead of an elaborate music video, she opted for a visual aesthetic that embodied the song's “sexy and kind of dark” vibe, aligning the clothing, makeup, and hair to create a distinct “Love Zombie girl” visual, which was shot on the same day as the cover art.

The celebration of “Love Zombie” extended to an “epic” Halloween party hosted by Justice at Bar Jubilee on the iconic Sunset Strip. Initially hesitant about hosting, she recognized it as a unique opportunity given the song’s theme and timing. The event was a resounding success, drawing support from many friends, including former Victorious castmate Leon Thomas and two former Zoey 101 castmates. The party featured a captivating drag queen performance by Venus Fly Snatch, a candy bar, a photo booth, and an amazing DJ, creating a memorable night filled with love and support.

Justice also elaborated on the subtle updates made to the song’s lyrics. She revealed that certain phrases in the original demo, particularly the repeated use of “something,” had always “rubbed my ear the wrong way,” prompting her to make them more descriptive. An example includes changing “There's something wrong with me, 169 degrees” to “Do something wrong with me, 169 degrees,” reflecting her artistic growth and a more mature perspective since recording it at 17.

Discussing her evolution as an artist and songwriter, Justice noted that while her creative process remains similar in many ways, her music has become “more personal as I've gotten older, more honest and vulnerable.” She now draws inspiration from personal experiences, even incorporating journal entries into her songwriting, as seen with her song “Raw.” Having lived through more life experiences than at 17, she finds “a lot more to write about now.” As a “lyric forward person,” she admires storytellers like Sara Bareilles, Sasha Sloan, Julia Michaels, and Raye. Her current songwriting spans fun, sexy, and playful themes, alongside empowering narratives born from heartbreak.

Beyond music, Justice is equally passionate about acting. She describes balancing her dual careers as a “juggling act,” prioritizing whatever “is speaking to me the most at that moment.” If a song needs to be written, she heads to the studio; if a compelling script comes her way, she pursues it. Staying true to a horror theme, Justice recently wrapped production on the film “Send a Scare” in Arkansas. She praised the cast, including Robbie Amell and Anna Konkle, and director Josh Trank. The film is anticipated to be “thrilling, and it's scary,” with a visually interesting aesthetic. Justice’s character, Callie, navigates the venture capital world, facing struggles that make her incredibly relatable. Looking ahead, Justice offered a single word to describe her upcoming music: “Playful.”