Jenna Ortega, now 21, is one of the most recognisable young stars in Hollywood, but her journey started long before “Wednesday”.
Reflecting on her time as a child actor, Ortega opened up about the challenges of growing up in the spotlight and shared her concerns about the effect it can have on young performers.
Ortega’s acting career took off at the age of 9, supported by her parents. It wasn’t long before she landed her first sitcom role in 2012. From there, her star continued to rise with her standout portrayal of Young Jane in “Jane the Virgin” and a leading role in Disney’s “Stuck in the Middle.”
These early roles paved the way for her future successes, including her highly anticipated lead in “Beetlejuice.”
But for Ortega, the journey wasn’t all glitter and glam. In an interview with “The New York Times”, she expressed her unease with the demands placed on child actors. “Children aren’t supposed to be working like that,” she said.
“They are supposed to be climbing trees and drawing and going to school.”
Ortega is grateful for her parents’ focus on her well-being and education. She credits them with ensuring she had a normal childhood outside of acting.
“Some of those kids’ parents don’t even take school seriously, so I feel really, really fortunate to have had parents who made sure that I hung out with friends, made sure that I went to public school and wouldn’t allow me to work on a job unless I had straight A’s and was prioritising my sleep and my schoolwork," she said.
Looking back, Ortega sees how her childhood in the industry shaped who she is today. Growing up in the Coachella Valley, she imagined a different life.
“I see why my parents felt so hesitant about it, because you’re putting a child in an adult workplace,” she said. “I think if I had just stayed growing up in Coachella Valley, I would be a completely different person.”
Though she’s grateful for her experiences, Ortega acknowledged the unique bond she shares with other child actors, describing it as “a secret little language” that only they seem to understand.
“It’s completely changed my way of thinking and going about life,” she continued, highlighting the strange reality of navigating both a child’s world and an adult’s environment at such a young age.
Today, Ortega remains grounded, focusing on her passion for acting while staying true to the values her parents instilled in her.