Jenna Ortega recently shared a chilling fan interaction that occurred after her rise to fame from the Netflix series Wednesday. During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the actress, who plays the iconic Wednesday Addams, recalled the unsettling experience, describing it as “very scary.”
At just 22 years old, Ortega has been acting since she was nine, so she’s no stranger to public attention. However, she explained that the level of recognition following Wednesday‘s success was a new and overwhelming experience.
Ortega recounted a specific incident that left her feeling uneasy. “I remember, when the show came out, it was around Thanksgiving, so I was at home with my family—no makeup, sweats, feeling gross and awesome at the same time,” she shared. The actress was walking her nephew and dog in her parents’ neighborhood when she had an unexpected encounter.
“A woman and her daughter recognized me in the neighborhood. They came to a screeching stop, spun around, did a U-turn, and tried to get my attention,” Ortega explained. The situation quickly turned uncomfortable as the woman began yelling at her nephew, urging him to “get over here.”
“I was scared because I was with my nephew, and he was getting kind of freaked out,” Ortega admitted. “I didn’t know what to do.” This was the first time she had ventured out since Wednesday premiered, and it was then that she realized her life had changed. “I think that’s when I realized, ‘Oh, it’s like something outrageous is written on my forehead, and maybe things aren’t going to be the same,'” she said.
When Colbert asked if she enjoyed the fame and limelight that came with her newfound stardom, Ortega reflected on the challenges of navigating this new phase of her life. “I think I’ve just now figured out the balance,” she said. “I understand it comes with the territory. I’ve seen this level of attention for quite some time now, and I think you just have to stop caring. It doesn’t matter.”
Jenna Ortega’s candid discussion highlights the realities of sudden fame and the adjustments that come with it. As Wednesday continues to be a cultural phenomenon, Ortega is learning how to navigate the spotlight while maintaining a sense of normalcy in her life.
