Jenna Ortega opens up about her experiences as a child actress in Hollywood, and it’s not something that you would have expected.
The 22-year-old Wednesday star was recently in talks with Vogue México and Latin America for their September issue, where she confided in about her “stubborn” dream to be an actress and how that dream also led her to face some fears in Hollywood.
According to Daily Mail, before Ortega gained fame with the famous TV series Wednesday, she faced significant challenges early in her career. Before Wednesday, the actress appeared in various films and TV series, including Jane the Virgin, You (season 2), Iron Man 3, Night of the Demon: Chapter 2, Richie Rich, and Disney’s Stuck in the Middle.
In conversation with Vogue, Ortega talked about the difficulties of “being young and assertive…as a woman. I’ve always known what it’s like not to have a voice, and that terrifies me.”
“I don’t want to be in that situation again”, she added.
View this post on Instagram
Continuing to talk about her past candidly, the actress further mentioned, “For most of my career, I didn’t know how to express myself.”
“I was very young, I didn’t know anything about the industry, perhaps because of certain professional experiences I’d had in the past that were a little more difficult”, she added.
Having landed her first on-screen role at the age of 10, Ortega did not reveal during which projects she felt so downtrodden.
Maintaining the project’s privacy, the actress expressed how she “shut myself away and became very insecure about my place.”
Despite these struggles, the Hollywood veteran showcased a resilient demeanour as she mentioned, “But for me, it’s just about making sure I use my voice in the most professional, efficient, and kind way possible.”
Nevertheless, Ortega also reveals how she has evolved as a person while growing up in Hollywood, learning her lessons well. Shedding light on her relationship with fame, the young actress shared she has become “cautious” while presenting herself to the world.
But that wasn’t always the case with her, especially in the early years of her career.
Per Daily Mail, she said, “I used to be a very extroverted child, but I’ve become more reserved. It doesn’t mean something negative, it just means I choose my words carefully.”
Additionally, the actress also ponders over the incongruence between her real persona and her most famous role, Wednesday. “It’s funny because Wednesday would hate all this attention and obsession; appearing on cereal boxes and T-shirts is so unusual for her”, she remarked.
Ortega’s interview with Vogue reveals how the actress has evolved to be quite a dynamic personality, etching a deep and thoughtful character owing to the kind of experiences she’s had as a child while navigating the spotlight in Hollywood.
Putting her thoughts out quite frankly, Ortega said, “I also think the world of celebrity is very strange. The glorification of someone you’ll never truly know fascinates me, and I’m happy to question it anytime.”
In addition to talking about her experiences as an actor, the 22-year-old star also talked about her mixed racial identity.
“It’s a fundamental part of who I am. These things don’t disappear or change.”
Ortega grew up in a Spanish community in Indio, California. Her lineage is a mix of Mexican and Puerto Rican identities.
“I’m very close to my family and my upbringing. I’m from California, so my community, mostly Latino, was my childhood. It’s simply what I know.”
View this post on Instagram
Being a Latina, the actress confessed that there is “a lot of pressure” while being on screen since she also has to meet the expectations of Latino audiences.
Recalling a poignant moment reminding her of the power of representation, Ortega shared, “Sometimes it feels brutal, but then you go home and remember what it’s about. You meet a young Chicana in a grocery store, she hugs you, you talk with her mother, and you see how meaningful it can be for people.”
Be that as it may, the Wednesday star confesses her limitations in speaking Spanish fluently. Having a foundational understanding of the language to an extent that she can speak, write, and read basic Spanish, the actress admits to being “very insecure when I speak and I don’t want to offend anyone.”
As Vogue México and Latin America rightly put it, “Jenna Ortega is a rising force in the industry.”
Besides Wednesday season 2 part 2, which is set to “haunt” Netflix on September 3, the actress has taken up roles that “reveal a more mature side to her career.”
Nodding affirmatively to this shift in her career, Ortega said, “For the first time in a long time, I’m clearer-minded and more confident about where I want to go with my life and my work, and I’m really excited about all of that.”