Get ready, fans, because the excitement surrounding Jenna Ortega is absolutely palpable! It’s no secret that this incredible actress has captivated hearts around the globe, and with every new project and accolade, the buzz only intensifies. Today, we’re diving deep into the sensational career of Jenna Ortega, exploring the remarkable path that has led her to become one of Hollywood’s most exciting and influential young stars, and what her latest significant steps mean for her dazzling future.
From humble beginnings, Jenna Marie Ortega, born on September 27, 2002, in Palm Desert, California, always had a spark for performance. As the fourth of six siblings, she describes her childhood self as “loud and extroverted,” a vibrant energy that clearly translates into her captivating on-screen presence. Her desire to act ignited at the tender age of six, a passion so intense that she begged her mother for three years to let her pursue it, even when her mother tried to gently steer her towards other activities like soccer and school.
Imagine the dedication it took for her mother, after purchasing a monologue book and posting a video of a nine-year-old Jenna performing, to drive her to Los Angeles for auditions. This wasn’t a short commute; sometimes it stretched to as long as six hours roundtrip, up to five days a week! This level of commitment, from both Jenna and her family, truly highlights the unwavering pursuit of a dream.
Jenna’s early journey wasn’t without its challenges. She faced difficulties securing roles due to a scarcity of parts for Latinas and the industry’s narrow beauty standards, confessing she “didn’t look [a certain] way” and even considered dyeing her hair blonde. Yet, her perseverance paid off, with her first year landing her spots in 12 national campaigns, including three iconic McDonald’s commercials. This resilience set the stage for the incredible career we see today.
Her acting debut came in 2012 with the sitcom *Rob*, quickly followed by a guest appearance in *CSI: NY*. In 2013, she made her film debut, albeit uncredited, in the superhero blockbuster *Iron Man 3*, and she had a supporting role in the horror film *Insidious: Chapter 2*. These early steps were crucial, showing her versatility even as a child actor.
Fans first truly noticed her in the popular CW comedy-drama series *Jane the Virgin*, where she shone as a younger version of Jane Villanueva from 2014 to 2019. Her performance earned high praise, with Declan Gallagher of Entertainment Weekly commending that “she eschews the trappings of a typical child actor,” a remarkable observation for such a young talent. This period also saw her star in the direct-to-video comedy *The Little Rascals Save the Day* and the Netflix sitcom *Richie Rich*.
But it was her leading role as Harley Diaz in the Disney Channel series *Stuck in the Middle* from 2016 to 2018 that truly launched her into mainstream recognition. Jenna herself described booking the role as “one of the best days of my life,” drawing inspiration from her own large family. Common Sense Media applauded her, stating she “commands this role, pleading her case as a long-suffering middle kid while finding the humor in the many calamities that befall her efforts to shine.” This role earned her an Imagen Award win in 2018, along with two prior nominations, solidifying her status as a rising young star.
As she matured, Jenna bravely sought to transition to more mature roles, a challenging pivot for many former child stars. She openly shared her struggles, noting people often assumed Disney roles were “all you can do, or all you were meant for.” At times, she even considered quitting, feeling she “was too old for the young roles and too young for the older roles.” Thankfully for us, she pressed on!
Her dedication paid off handsomely with her role as Ellie Alves in the second season of Netflix’s gripping thriller series *You*, released in December 2019. Critics were enthralled, with Robyn Bahr of The Hollywood Reporter singling her out as “a standout performer.” Though scheduling conflicts prevented her return for later seasons, her impactful performance left a lasting impression, proving her readiness for more complex characters.
Continuing her exploration of varied genres, Jenna also lent her voice to the animated show *Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous* from 2020 to 2022, voicing the travel vlogger Brooklynn. In 2021, she even made her writing debut with the book *It’s All Love: Reflections for Your Heart & Soul*, showcasing another dimension of her creative spirit. Her starring role in the Netflix comedy movie *Yes Day* (2021) also resonated deeply, particularly her appreciation for how the film casually featured people of color without “shoving it down your throat.
However, it was her emotionally charged performance in the high school drama film *The Fallout* (2021) that truly showcased her profound acting depth. Playing a student navigating the trauma of a school shooting, Jenna immersed herself in the role, researching school shootings and even participating in the March for Our Lives movement. She found it easy to portray her character as relatable, confessing she is “such an insecure individual.” Her acting garnered widespread acclaim, with Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times describing her performance as “grounded and deeply moving,” and The Hollywood Reporter praising her “beautifully nuanced turn.”
Then came the mainstream breakthrough that truly launched Jenna into superstardom: the slasher film *Scream* (2022) and, of course, the phenomenon that is *Wednesday* (2022). For *Scream*, where she played Tara Carpenter, Jenna expressed her immense excitement, stating, “I don’t even think there are words in the English language to correctly express how happy, excited and nervous I am for this journey.” Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett specifically chose her for her ability to blend horror and comic tones, and, famously, for the sound of her scream! The film was a massive success, and Jenna’s “incredible” resilience in her role earned her an MTV Movie Award for Most Frightened Performance.
Her impressive streak continued with the slasher film *X* (2022), where director Ti West lauded her as “fearless in her commitment.” Jenna herself called the script “the most outrageous thing I’ve ever read,” a testament to her adventurous spirit in role selection. Her performance alongside Mia Goth was so captivating that The Australian dubbed them “scene-stealers.” It’s clear that Jenna isn’t just an actress; she’s a force of nature in the horror genre, further cemented by her role in *American Carnage* (2022), where The A.V. Club noted her continuing “her streak as the new it-girl of horror.
And then, the moment that arguably changed everything: her casting as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix horror-comedy series *Wednesday*. Jenna called this a “new chapter” in her career. She auditioned via Zoom with none other than the legendary Tim Burton, and the casting team felt her portrayal brought the necessary empathy to the iconic character. Preparing for the role was an undertaking, requiring “the most physical transformation I’ve ever done,” including cutting and dyeing her hair black, and altering her mannerisms, speaking style, and facial expressions. She even learned cello and German, delving deep into the Addams Family lore!
Despite the show’s incredible success, Jenna candidly shared that the production of *Wednesday*’s first season was her “most overwhelming job” in 2022, describing a state of “constant confusion and stress over the direction of the series and character.” Remarkably, she revealed she had never “had to put my foot down on a set in the way that I had to on Wednesday,” even changing her lines without informing the crew when she felt the writing was nonsensical for Wednesday’s personality. This level of dedication to character integrity is truly inspiring!
Upon its release, *Wednesday* became one of Netflix’s most-watched shows globally, garnering over 1 billion viewing hours within a month! Critics universally praised Jenna’s performance, with CNN noting her portrayal as “relentlessly strange, a portrait in unblinking intensity and oddly endearing all at once.” Her phenomenal work earned her nominations for a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, making her the second-youngest nominee in the category. The world was officially obsessed!
Her star power continued to rise exponentially in 2023, as she graced the stage as host of NBC’s iconic sketch comedy series *Saturday Night Live*. She also reprised her role as Tara Carpenter in *Scream VI*, where her character had even more personality than in the previous installment, a role she meticulously crafted by considering Tara’s favorite color, fashion, makeup, and sense of humor. The film was a huge box-office success, with Deadline Hollywood crediting Jenna’s star power for its impressive gross.
While her departure from the *Scream* franchise in November 2023 caused a stir, Jenna made it clear that a subsequent film did not appear to be the “right move” due to changing cast and crew dynamics, reinforcing her commitment to projects that feel right. Her recent roles have continued to push boundaries, including the drama *Miller’s Girl* (2024), which she called “the most complex character that I’ve ever played” due to its risky material, and the executive producer role in the romantic drama *Winter Spring Summer or Fall* (2024), a testament to her growing influence behind the scenes.
One of the most anticipated roles of 2024 saw Jenna reunite with Tim Burton for *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*, a highly anticipated sequel where she played Astrid Deetz, the cynical teenage daughter of Lydia Deetz. The film opened the 81st Venice International Film Festival to generally positive reviews, with Rolling Stone praising her as an “unimpeachable” casting choice and commending the emotions she conveyed using a “world-class deadpan stare.” The film’s massive global gross of $451 million has been partly attributed to Jenna’s ability to attract younger audiences, particularly members of Generation Z, proving her undeniable box-office draw.
Looking ahead, Jenna’s career continues to soar. She is slated to reprise her iconic role as Wednesday Addams in the second season of *Wednesday*, but with an exciting new development: she has also become an executive producer for the series! She described this as a “natural progression,” as the first season was “naturally already very collaborative,” and she will now help oversee costumes, characters, and scripts. This is truly a huge career announcement, showcasing her evolution from a brilliant actress to a powerful creative force in the industry! Further on the horizon, she’s joined the cast of *Klara and the Sun* (2025), directed by the acclaimed Taika Waititi, ensuring her presence will continue to grace our screens in diverse and compelling projects.
Beyond her acting prowess, Jenna Ortega is also a passionate advocate and a style icon. She consistently uses her platform to support various charitable causes, including Pride Over Prejudice, the National Bullying Prevention Center, Planned Parenthood, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS. Her pro-immigration and anti-discrimination stance is deeply rooted, as she eloquently stated to Teen Vogue: “It’s important to embrace your culture today because there are so many different ethnicities in America. At the end of the day, you are you. You’ve got to stay true to yourself, and you can’t change yourself in order to fit in or to make someone else feel comfortable.”
Her activism even extends to powerful public statements. At the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards, she famously wore a jacket emblazoned with “I Do Care and U Should Too,” a direct and powerful response to then-First Lady Melania Trump’s jacket, which read, “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?” This act of defiance, which garnered significant media coverage, showed Jenna’s courage and conviction. She told the Associated Press that Trump’s apparel displayed a lack of judgment and that as the first lady, she ought to show concern for migrant children, adding, “We should all care about each other and our country… we are one country under God.” More recently, in 2023, she joined Artists4Ceasefire, signing a letter urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, further demonstrating her commitment to global humanitarian issues.
Jenna’s influence also spans the world of fashion and brand partnerships. In 2020, she became a brand ambassador for Neutrogena, and in 2023, she expanded her impressive portfolio by becoming an ambassador for sportswear giant Adidas, notably as the face of their first new line in 50 years, Adidas Sportswear. She also joined the ranks of luxury fashion house Dior, starring in their #DareInGrisDior campaign. Her appearance in a Doritos advertisement during Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, while leaving some *Wednesday* fans wanting more “goth,” undeniably showcased her immense mainstream appeal.
Her artistry is something truly special. Director Megan Park, who worked with her on *The Fallout*, marveled that Jenna “knows when to give her all and when to hold back” while acting, possessing “that understanding of herself as a performer at such a young age.” Tim Burton himself compared her acting style to silent film acting, noting her ability to express emotion through her eyes without words—a profound compliment from a visionary director. Jenna herself aims for authenticity, choosing not to be overly prepared for a scene, believing “you never know what you’re going to say next or what your next facial expression is going to be” in real life.
Industry insiders, like Dodge College professor and agent Joe Rosenberg, describe Jenna as an actress who has “a feel for the right project at the right time” and is “savvy” with her role choices. Jenna consciously seeks out varied acting roles to avoid being “pigeonholed as an actor,” striving for the most diverse characters possible to ensure a rich and dynamic career. She often looks for projects that will have a “forever effect” on her, such as *The Fallout*, and feels most comfortable in horror works, describing them as “very therapeutic.
Her media image is as compelling as her roles. Who What Wear described her off-screen persona as “poised, mature, and wise beyond her years” while maintaining “an essence of relatability.” Harper’s Bazaar found her “quiet and contemplative,” while Vanity Fair noted her “black-hole persona” is surprisingly “much warmer and more cheerful than you’d expect.” She has earned the well-deserved title of “Gen Z’s scream queen” and “scream queen for the 21st century,” a title she humorously attributes to her “instinctive” scream and “really ugly crying face.
Jenna has consistently been recognized by leading publications, from The Hollywood Reporter naming her one of “Hollywood’s Top 30 Stars Under Age 18” in 2018 to her inclusion on Variety’s “Young Hollywood Impact Report” and The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious Power 100 list in 2023. Forbes also featured her on its 2024 30 Under 30 list, cementing her status as a generational talent. Her personal style has also evolved into a fashion statement, transitioning from bright, playful looks to a more “goth glam” aesthetic that often takes inspiration from her *Wednesday* character, a style Vogue describes as a “dark, gothic fashion sensibility.” Jenna herself admits that playing Wednesday has “changed my taste a lot” and she has “a hard time getting her off of me, at least clothing-wise.
Despite her immense public profile, Jenna values her privacy, choosing not to discuss her romantic life publicly to ensure audiences focus on her work. She finds the concept of celebrities “absolutely ridiculous,” a refreshing perspective in an industry often consumed by fame. Her friends and family provide a crucial sense of safety, keeping her “feet on the ground” in a world that can be overwhelming. She acknowledges that growing up in an adult-dominated industry forced her to mature faster than normal, yet she navigates it with grace and incredible strength.
So, what does this all mean for fans everywhere? It means that Jenna Ortega is not just a passing sensation; she is a true artist, a dedicated advocate, and a trailblazer. Her journey is a testament to perseverance, talent, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. With her new executive producer role on *Wednesday* and a slate of diverse and exciting upcoming projects, we are witnessing the blossoming of an extraordinary career. The world is watching, and we can’t wait to see the breathtaking new heights Jenna Ortega will reach, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood and inspiring countless fans along the way!
