TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hollywood actor Jenna Ortega has drawn attention online after a recent interview with Esquire in which she reflected on her experience as a child actor and admitted that she once went entire days without eating or drinking because she did not want to be a burden on people around her.
Ortega discussed her career in Esquire’s “How I Got Here” series, looking back at her transition from a child performer to one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young stars.
The interview also prompted online discussion about her appearance, with some fans expressing concern over what they perceived as a significant change in her weight.
What Did Jenna Ortega Say About Her Childhood Career?
Reflecting on her early years in the industry, Ortega said she was extremely grateful to be working and tried to avoid making mistakes or causing inconvenience on set.
“I really had it going for me as a child ’cause I can’t think of one mistake I made,” Ortega said. “I feel like I make mistakes now all the time, but as a child, I was so grateful and so excited to be there that my game face was on.”
She explained that maintaining that professional attitude sometimes meant refusing to ask for even basic necessities.
“I wasn’t asking for a sip of water,” Ortega recalled. “I would go all day without eating, drinking, whatever, because I wanted so badly to not be in the way of anybody.”
Looking back, Ortega acknowledged that prioritizing other people over herself may have been a mistake.
“Maybe that was my mistake, was not actually looking after myself,” she said.
Ortega Started Acting at a Young Age
Ortega began pursuing acting after telling her parents at the age of 7 that she wanted to become an actor. She said her parents initially laughed when she told them about her ambition.
“That was kind of the root of everything. The motivation,” she said, adding that she never stopped pursuing acting because she was “very stubborn” and never questioned her decision.
Her breakthrough came with Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle, which premiered in 2016 when she was 13. She also appeared in Richie Rich, Jane the Virgin, You and Elena of Avalor before becoming internationally known for Netflix’s Wednesday.
Asked about the stigma surrounding child stars, Ortega offered a blunt response.
“Is it wrong to say that a lot of them are true? And do with that what you will,” she said.
Fans Raise Concerns Over Her Appearance
Following the release of the interview, some viewers on X focused on Ortega’s appearance and questioned whether she had experienced significant weight loss.
Some users said they were concerned about what they perceived as a noticeable change, while others used the discussion to criticize Hollywood’s beauty standards and the pressure placed on young actors.
Some social media users also compared Ortega’s appearance with that of Ariana Grande, whose body has similarly been the subject of intense public scrutiny.
However, Ortega has not publicly said that she is experiencing any health problem, and there has been no statement from her representatives confirming any medical or lifestyle issue.
Her appearance alone cannot establish whether she has experienced a change in her health or weight, making speculation about a diagnosis or specific condition inappropriate.
What Is Jenna Ortega Working On?
Ortega is set to return as Wednesday Addams in Season 3 of Wednesday. Her upcoming film projects include Klara and the Sun, directed by Taika Waititi, and J.J. Abrams’ sci-fi film The Great Beyond.
She is also attached to The Gallerist, alongside Natalie Portman, as well as Single Female, a remake of the 1992 thriller Single White Female, and Lily May B, directed by French filmmaker Leos Carax.
