"Zoey 101" Star Paul Butcher Confirms the Cast Is Working on Something 'Immensely Cool'
It feels like only yesterday the Zoey 101 stars were drinking Blix and driving around PCA on Jet Xs, but one look at Paul Butcher, who played Dustin Brooks, reminds you just how much time has passed since the Nickelodeon show ended. A little over eleven years, to be exact.
If fans weren't already aware how grown up Zoey's little bro is when the mega reunion happened this past summer, they will soon. Seventeen.com chatted with Paul about his new song, "Nothing," and the (second) Zoey 101 reunion that is totally happening this week.
First things first: That cryptic photo of a script with lines blocked out Jamie Lynn Spears (Zoey) posted on Instagram is definitely referencing an upcoming reunion. While it's not a full-on revival, like some people suspected, it's tied to something exciting the cast is planning.
"I’m not going to say exactly what it’s for, but things are definitely happening," Paul told Seventeen.com.
It was announced Nickelodeon and Netflix struck a major deal, but whatever the cast has cooking isn't connected to that. "Yet," Paul teased.
This mysterious reunion will involve tons of Zoey 101 cast members, unlike the viral "What Did Zoey Say?" YouTube video that only featured Sean Flynn (Chase) and Christopher Massey (Michael) from the OG cast.
While there is currently no official revival confirmed — no contracts have been signed or anything at the time of this writing — the cast has a fun idea for how they'd want to continue the exploits of PCA's finest.
Here's what an official Zoey 101 revival could look like.
Paul said that during the summer reunion, Sean shared his idea for what the characters could be up to today, and it is WILD.
For starters, Zoey is pulling a Lizzie McGuire 2.0 and not currently dating the guy she's meant to be with: Chase. In fact, Zoey is divorced and Chase is still low-key pursuing her. They've somehow maintained their friendship (in the hell that is dating culture, this is impressive!) despite Zoey getting married and later divorced.
Meanwhile, Logan now owns his dad's production business, and both Michael and Quinn work for him. Quogan shippers, fear not: Logan and Quinn still have feelings for each other, but things are dicy because Logan is technically Quinn's boss.
A post shared by Paul Butcher (@paulbutcher) on Jul 30, 2019 at 6:13pm PDT
And perhaps the strangest plot is that Dustin and Lola are DATING now. Both are famous singers, and the fact they're dating "weirds out" Zoey.
"Did we used to date and are now broken up and it’s fun tension, or are we dating and maybe we break up on the show?" Paul said. "These [ideas] are literally just us talking. They’re not anything concrete."
But they could be, if Nickelodeon is looking for its next revival idea. The network already brought back the likes of Hey Arnold!, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Rocko's Modern Life, Invader Zim, Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Dora the Explorer within the past few years. Based on how ecstatic fans got from both "What Did Zoey Say?" and the summer reunion, it's as clear as Chase's love for Zoey that people want to see more escapades from these characters.
Dustin growing up to be a singer is art imitating life.
Paul has been serenading people for years and he really blew up on the internet when his covers of songs by Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, and Zayn went viral.
But he doesn't only do covers. He's created several original songs, including "Blood,"Ain’t Hurtin Nobody," and his newest tune called "Nothing."
The song, which dropped November 15 and is available on all streaming platforms, was the result of a negative experience Paul had in the music industry. "'Nothing' is just about coming out of a low place, trying to find the silver lining in all things and keep going — and how hard it can be," Paul said. "It doesn’t really resolve into a happy ending or anything, because sometimes it feels like it won’t, but that doesn’t mean it won’t."
It's a track Paul hopes resonates with people who think they are alone in their feelings, only to realize how that isn't the case.
A post shared by Paul Butcher (@paulbutcher) on Nov 10, 2019 at 4:04pm PST
Interestingly, when I first heard the song before speaking with Paul, I thought it was a breakup anthem, which Paul says it can totally be.
"It’s going to mean something different to every single person, and that’s what I want. I didn’t want to make it solely and very clearly about [one thing]. I wanted it to be personalized for everyone."
Inspired by musicians such as Billie Eilish, Justin Timberlake, Zayn, Halsey, and Harry Styles, Paul makes sure his music has a purpose, "a little more of a meaning."
His artistic persona is understandably much different from his Nickelodeon character's personality. Whereas Dustin is upbeat and goofy, Paul's music goes in another direction. "I feel like all my songs are ... a little bit darker, emotional, interesting."
Paul plans to release more music in early 2020, so be on the lookout. While he currently has enough tracks to create an EP or full album, he's going to continue releasing his songs as singles for now.
If we do get an official, full-length Zoey 101 revival, fingers crossed Paul will be able to sing as Dustin on it!
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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