Jenna Ortega Reflects on Controversial ‘Wednesday’ Writers Room Comments: ‘I Probably Could Have Used My Words Better’

As a passionate admirer of Jenna Ortega‘s work and growth, I find her journey to be nothing short of inspiring. Her ability to learn from past experiences, adapt, and grow is truly commendable. The controversy surrounding her comments about changing lines on “Wednesday” may have been magnified, but it served as a valuable lesson for her – one that she gracefully acknowledged and learned from.


In her recent chat with Vanity Fair, Jenna Ortega revisited the debate sparked by her comments from March 2023 regarding altering her character’s lines on Netflix’s “Wednesday.” She admitted that she could have expressed herself more clearly during that time. She added that she tends to be a bit wordy and believes that if she had explained the situation more effectively, it might have been better received by others.

In the March 2023 edition of Dax Shepard and Monica Padman’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, Ortega admitted that several early scripts for “Wednesday” seemed illogical to her as a character, so she altered dialogue without first discussing it with the show’s writers.

In her own words: “During that time, she expressed: ‘I’ve never had to assert myself as strongly on a film set like I did on ‘Wednesday.’ It didn’t fit her character at all what Wednesday was doing, and everything I had to act out seemed illogical. The love triangle was nonsensical, and there was a scene about a dress for a school dance where she said something like, ‘Oh my god I love it. Ugh, I can’t believe I said that. I literally hate myself.’ I had to object. There were moments on that set when I even overstepped professional boundaries slightly, altering lines. The script supervisor thought I was improvising, but then the writers would ask, ‘What happened to the scene?’ and I had to clarify why I couldn’t follow certain instructions.”

Ortega’s comments drew backlash from film and TV writers, who went on strike against the studios two months later. Many Hollywood scribes took to social media to call out Ortega for being “toxic” and “beyond entitled,” and on the picket lines, some Writers Guild of America members carried signs with slogans such as “Without writers, Jenna Ortega will have nothing to punch up!”

“Ortega, now 21, shared with Vanity Fair that everything he said seemed exaggerated to him, giving off a rather oppressive vibe. He confessed feeling like an over-the-top version of himself.”

In her conversation with the magazine, she shared that an incident involving media misunderstanding taught her a significant lesson: “It’s impossible to please everyone, and being someone who tends to prioritize pleasing others, this was a difficult realization for me. Some individuals may simply not care for you… and that’s perfectly acceptable.”

Last year, Ortega admitted to growing tired of herself, explaining, “My image was ubiquitous… So, honestly, if I picked up my phone and kept seeing the same girl with a trite saying or something like that, I wouldn’t find it appealing either.”

Michelle Ruiz from Vanity Fair proposed the idea to Ortega that although the #MeToo movement has enabled women in Hollywood to assert themselves more confidently, there are still many instances where people react with disdain. Ortega concurred, stating: “I believe we should strive to live up to our own ideals a bit better… Women are expected to be graceful, refined, and always kind. However, when they speak out forcefully, they’re often seen as unruly or difficult.”

Currently, Ortega is acting as a producer for the second season of “Wednesday,” and is welcomed to provide feedback. Tim Burton, the executive producer and director, praised Ortega as being “straightforward” and “unpretentious,” finding her approach “refreshing, beautiful, and artistic.” He also hinted that if Ortega wished, she could potentially direct the series, stating that from the beginning he noticed she is “exceptionally perceptive” and sometimes even more aware than him.

Season 2 of “Wednesday” is expected to arrive on Netflix sometime in 2025.

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2024-08-06 18:46