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Actress Jenna Ortega shot to fame as the gothic yet loveable Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s original TV showWednesday. The Tim Burton-directed series made Ortega an instant star, with her signature dance becoming the subject of many memes on social media. Her performance also earned her an Emmy nomination.
Ortega has appeared in a bunch of high-profile films such as the recentScream, Scream VI,andX. However, she started as a child actor at the age of nine and has only now gained recognition. She mentioned recently how being a Latin American harmed her chances in the industry and how she tried to change herself initially to fit in.
Also read:“I cried when I heard the news!”: Beetlejuice Star Jenna Ortega Was Heartbroken Over a Lost Role Before Her Big Break at Disney
Jenna Ortega’s Life And Career
Before being a global sensation with her quirky dance on the Netflix showWednesday,Jenna Ortegawas a child actor, who was struggling to make it big in the industry. She mentioned that she wanted to act since the age of six and she gained the attention of an agency after her mother posted a video of a monologue recital on Facebook.
Ortega struggled to find any good roles due to her Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, with many agents rejecting her for her looks. In an interview withHarpers Bazaar, she mentioned the type of roles that existed for Latin American women at the time,
“As a child actor, there are two jobs that you’re able to get: you’re either the younger version of someone or you’re playing somebody’s daughter — and there were just not many leading Hispanic actors who I could be that for…So a lot of the jobs that I was going for growing up would never work out, because I didn’t look [a certain] way. That was really hard, to hear that something you couldn’t change was what was preventing you [from succeeding].”
Also read:“That gave her a special place in my heart”: Jenna Ortega’s Scream Queen Status Helped Young Actress Nail the Lead Part in Tim Burton’s Wednesday Spin-off
After starring in multiple commercials, she finally made her onscreen debut on the sitcomRob. She had small appearances inIron Man 2andInsidious Chapter 2and also had a recurring role inJane the Virgin. She gained notoriety for her starring role in the Disney Channel sitcomStuck in the Middle. The series concluded after three seasons in 2018.
Ortega transitioned to more mature roles and starred in the second season of the Netflix seriesYou. She continued her relationship with Netflix on the filmsThe Babysitter: Killer QueenandYes Day. She starred in the dramaThe Fallout, gaining critical acclaim for her performance as a school shooting survivor. Ortega then starred in several slasher films, including theScreamreboot.
Also read:“A person has to have that”: Tim Burton Claims ‘Wednesday’ Was Impossible Without Jenna Ortega Because of ‘Special Talent’ That No One Else Has
Jenna Ortega Revealed That She Wanted To Change Her Looks To Get More Roles
With her appearance as the iconic character Wednesday Addams, Jenna Ortega rose to superstardom. She now has several films with acclaimed directors in her slate of upcoming projects. Ortega is set to star with Martin Freeman in the filmMiller’s Girl, with Paul Rudd inDeath of a Unicorn,and with Abel Tesfaye and Barry Keoghan in an untitled Trey Edward Shults film.
Looking back at her career, which was initially an uphill battle, Jenna Ortega mentioned how she was controlled by many on how her career should progress. From studio executives to casting agents to producers, many reportedly tried to control her career and decisions which negatively impacted her self-esteem.
Ortega mentioned that as a kid, this lack of agency affected her so much that she wanted to change her appearance by coloring her hair blonde to be more presentable to casting agents,
“As a kid, I was always being told what I should and shouldn’t do — which way I should go, what would be best for me…I wanted to dye my hair blonde so that I would look like Cinderella…I want to be able to really orchestrate my own future and make more specific, precise moves.”
TheAmerican Carnagestar has now reportedly decided to take back control of her career and make decisions, while also being mindful of her responsibility as an influential actress.
Also read:“I did not get any sleep. I pulled my hair out”: Jenna Ortega’s Father Found Her “Hysterically Crying” Many Times While Shooting ‘Wednesday’
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2419
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
