The young Jenna Ortega has one thing in common with some of the industry veterans like Johnny Depp and Tom Hanks. Ortega recently made the shocking revelation that she never watches her own work, including her most talked-about role in Wednesday. Ortega made her debut in the 2012 sitcom, Rob, as a child actress, and has gradually shifted to more mature roles in recent years.
The Scream actress herself pointed out that several people working in her profession choose not to watch their movies for fear of becoming overly critical of their work. Ortega, who’s currently working on season 2 of Wednesday, was nominated for both the Golden Globes and Primetime Emmy for her performance in the series.
Jenna Ortega Reveals Why She Wouldn’t Watch Her Work
Jenna Ortega graced the cover of Harper’s Bazaar in its recent edition and appeared in an interview with the magazine during the cover shoot. Ortega described herself as a massive introvert, which she had emphasized several times in her interviews. When asked if she wanted to see a preview of her shoot, the Jane the Virgin actress politely declined, as she usually doesn’t like watching her work.
Ortega admitted that she never revisits her movie or TV roles. The 21-year-old revealed that she has to always feel in control and not dwell on the mistakes in her roles. She believed that such harsh self-criticism could be detrimental to her growth as an actress. Ortega’s philosophy is to be as vulnerable and honest in the role and then move on without looking back. The Fallout actress told Harpers Bazaar:
“I can’t watch my work, as I know I won’t be able to push forward and continue to grow as an actor if I cling on to certain things. A lot of people in my profession can probably relate to this: when you do a take you don’t like, you go to bed kicking yourself. But ultimately, all I can do is be vulnerable and honest when the camera’s on, and then I have to move on and let it go. It’s really hard for me to not feel in control.”
Ortega is one of the most promising actresses in the industry. She was earlier typecast in ‘scream queen’ roles but she has proved herself a versatile talent in recent years. By not watching her work, she follows in the footsteps of some of Hollywood’s top-tier actors.
Not Just Jenna Ortega, These Hollywood A-Listers Also Don’t Watch Their Films
Hollywood legends like Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp, and Joaquin Phoenix also avoided watching their work. While Hanks and Phoenix agreed with Jenna Ortega that self-criticism does more harm than good, Depp preferred not to break the magical spell of his roles. Al Pacino once stated about not watching his work, “If it’s good, I feel lucky. If it’s not, it’s something you try to forget.” (via USA Today)
Angelina Jolie shared that she is more inclined towards the process than seeing her work. Like Jolie, Helena Bonham Carter and Julianne Moore also loved the process more, with the former stating that she wouldn’t change a thing about her roles. Moore also admitted that watching her work would withdraw her from the art. Nicole Kidman preferred to revisit her movies in her memory rather than on screen.
Hollywood businesswomen Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon admitted that they don’t spend too much time observing their work. The former couple from The Amazing Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, also revealed that they avoid watching their work. Other actors who refrained from watching their work included stars like Jared Leto, Javier Bardem, and Adam Driver.
