Jennette McCurdy Says Money, Not Nude Photos, Is Behind Sam & Cat Hiatus

Nickelodeon has halted production on Sam & Cat, its most popular show, after scantily-clad selfies of star Jennette McCurdy, 21, were leaked online last month.

But according to McCurdy, the hiatus is due to a compensation dispute and not her racy pics. TMZ reports that McCurdy is upset that her co-star Ariana Grande makes significantly more money than she does, and has been unsuccessfully trying to renegotiate her contract with Nickelodeon.

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Over the weekend, McCurdy opted to skip the Kids' Choice Awards, where Sam & Cat won Favorite TV Show and Grande won Favorite TV Actress. McCurdy explained her reasoning via Twitter.

"A lot of you guys are asking why I didn't attend the KCAs.... I wish I could explain everything as thoroughly as I would like to, but unfortunately a simpler explanation is all I can write," McCurdy posted.  "I was put in an uncomfortable, compromising, unfair situation (many of you have guessed what it is) and I had to look out for me. I chose to not go because sticking up for what is right and what is fair is what my mom taught me is ALWAYS the most important thing. I want to thank those of you who have reached out with kind words of support, McCurdians and Arianators alike. No matter who or what you support, I believe in supporting fairness first. If you have done that, thank you."

TMZ notes that McCurdy has no issue with Grande personally.

Nickelodeon has not yet ordered a second season of Sam & Cat.