Jenna Ortega Says ‘I Was an Unhappy Person’ After ‘Wednesday’ Fame and ‘There’s Something Very Patronizing’ About Being ‘Dressed in the Schoolgirl Costume’

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In a recent chat with Harper’s Bazaar, Jenna Ortega admitted to feeling “unhappy” following the explosive success of Netflix’s “Wednesday,” which skyrocketed her acting career to unprecedented heights and garnered an incredible 252.1 million views globally – making it the streamer’s most-watched English series ever, far outpacing “Stranger Things 4” with 140 million views in second place.

Following the event and attempting to make sense of it all, I must admit I wasn’t a very content individual,” Ortega explained. “Given my reserved nature, the overwhelming intensity and fear of the spotlight were truly daunting.

Ortega gained sudden stardom even though she had been acting since childhood, which in turn made her a hot topic on social media. Every move she made and future acting decisions were heavily scrutinized and criticized. The actress admitted feeling “incredibly misinterpreted” when she reached the pinnacle of fame.

Ortega expressed, “It seems that behaving aggressively or cruelly, like a bully, is currently quite trendy.” He added, “Experiencing being caught up in gossip and rumors gave me an enlightening perspective.

According to Ortega, the massive popularity of “Wednesday” brings both advantages and challenges. On the positive side, it has given him the opportunity to learn cello playing and explore fresh interests. He admitted, “I do feel that I’ve developed a slightly more Gothic sensibility compared to my teenage self. I’ve always been drawn to darker things or found them intriguing, but I was more of a Disney fan as a kid, with the idea of being cheerful, kind, and excessively sweet.

However, there are also some drawbacks: “I’ll be performing in a long-term production featuring me as a schoolgirl. Yet, I’m also a grown woman.”

Or simply:
“I have a long-running role where I play a schoolgirl, but I’m not just a child anymore.”

These sentences maintain the original meaning while being more natural and easier to read.

I, Jenna Ortega, understand that portraying Wednesday Addams might confine certain industry expectations of my acting abilities. To counteract this, I swiftly agreed to take on various eclectic roles in films such as “Death of a Unicorn” from A24, “Hurry Up Tomorrow” alongside the Weeknd, Taika Waititi’s “Klara and the Sun,” and “The Gallerist” with Natalie Portman. As a former child star transitioning into an adult role, I sometimes feel that my efforts aren’t always taken seriously.

She remarked, ‘It’s reminiscent of wearing a schoolgirl outfit, and there’s a sense of belittlement about it that I find troubling.’ Furthermore, when one is short, people literally look down on you, and then if women don’t maintain the initial image society has of them, they are often criticized. ‘Something’s wrong,’ they say, ‘she’s changed, she sold her soul.’ Yet, we should remember that these women are in crucial stages of their lives, exploring and evolving, which is a natural part of personal growth.

Ortega expressed her deep appreciation for the worldwide fanbase she’s gained through “Wednesday,” and that’s why she’s making every effort to manage a career that caters to both her admirers and her personal preferences.

She expressed, “I’d like to contribute to their satisfaction, but I also crave creative satisfaction for myself. It’s about striking a balance between projects they might appreciate and those that appeal to me personally. I yearn for roles that are mature, daring, and unique. And ideally, I want to assemble my girls and present them with diverse characters.

The second season of the series “Wednesday” is set to premiere in two segments on Netflix, beginning August 6 and concluding September 3. To learn more about Ortega, read her extensive interview with Harper’s Bazaar by following this link.

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2025-05-28 21:47