Matthew Underwood arrives at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards on March 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Mark Von Holden/Variety via Getty

Mark Von Holden/Variety via Getty
Matthew Underwoodis a firm believer that people can learn and grow from their mistakes.
Matthew Underwood, Erin Sanders and Christopher Massey in ‘Zoey 102’.Dana Hawley/Paramount+

Dana Hawley/Paramount+
“I do not extend forgiveness on a whim to anyone who asks for it, that would be naive. I simply reserve the idea that it is fully possible that people can recognize their wrongs and people have the capacity to be better,” he continued. “I do not reject apologies when I am angry and I try to not make judgments about their sincerity based on my personal feelings about them. I like to offer opportunities to people to prove themselves to be better and I like to encourage that journey of growth in hopes that they might find fulfillment in being that better person.”
Underwood said he likes to “believe that if we allow people to take that [rehabilitation] journey genuinely, although it might not be an overnight change, it’s possible they can come out the other side better people, and they can set good examples for others who have made s—-y mistakes in their own lives.”
The cast of Zoey 101: Sean Flynn, Matthew Underwood, Christopher Massey, Erin Sanders, Jamie Lynn Spears, Victoria Justice and Paul Butcher.Nickelodeon / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Nickelodeon / Courtesy: Everett Collection
“Facing my past behaviors, some of which are embarrassing and that I regret," the former Nickelodeon producer said. “It was wrong. It was wrong that I ever put anybody in that position. It was the wrong thing to do. I’d never do it today. I’m embarrassed that I did it then. I apologize to anybody that I ever put in that situation."
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com