Jenna Ortega, the actress who shot to worldwide fame with Netflix’s Wednesday, recently opened up about the emotional toll that came with her rapid rise in the spotlight. In an honest conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, Ortega revealed that despite her success, she initially struggled with feelings of unhappiness and overwhelm.
Ortega, known for being introverted, shared how the sudden pressure and intense public attention took a heavy emotional toll on her. “After the show and trying to figure everything out, I was an unhappy person,” she admitted. The massive popularity of Wednesday — which became Netflix’s most-watched English-language series with over 250 million views — catapulted Ortega into a level of fame she wasn’t entirely prepared for.
The young star also touched on the challenges of dealing with public criticism and rumors, calling the experience “eye-opening.” She acknowledged how harsh online bullying affected her, noting, “I feel like being a bully is very popular right now.”
While Ortega cherishes the opportunities the show has brought her, she also spoke about the struggle of being perceived in a limited way by the industry. Playing a schoolgirl for a long-running show has made it difficult to be seen as the evolving young woman she is off-screen. She said, “There’s something patronizing about it, especially when people expect you to stay the same forever.”
Determined to expand beyond the Wednesday persona, Ortega has taken on several diverse projects. Her upcoming films include Death of a Unicorn, Hurry Up Tomorrow with The Weeknd, Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun, and The Galleristwith Natalie Portman. These roles reflect her desire to grow as an artist and challenge herself creatively.
Ortega expressed her passion for creating work that brings joy and unity to audiences but also emphasized the importance of pursuing projects that fulfill her personally. “I want to balance doing movies my fans enjoy with those that satisfy me creatively,” she explained.
Despite the pressures that come with fame, Jenna Ortega is focused on evolving both as an actress and as an individual, eager to explore new roles that showcase different sides of her talent.
