Jenna Ortega is doing visibly well in Hollywood. Starting her career at the early age of 9, the actress catapulted her fame with her appearance in the Scream franchise and Netflix’s Wednesday. After working with Tim Burton once, for her Netflix show, Ortega is now set to work with him once again, in his Beetlejuice sequel.
While Jenna Ortega is currently preparing for her upcoming role, she appeared in the 30th annual Hollywood Issue of Vanity Fair, alongside 10 other vibrant stars, to seize the moment. During her interview, Ortega looked back on Wednesday, which turned her into an overnight sensation. Recalling the overwhelming feeling following the show’s success, the actress noted the difficulties she faced in coping with the popularity.
Jenna Ortega Addressed the Aftermath of Wednesday’s Success
Beginning her career as a child actor and starring in Disney Channel shows like Stuck in the Middle (2016–18), Jenna Ortega made her way into mainstream Hollywood. Thereafter, the actress often starred in horror flicks like the Insidious franchise, the Scream movies, and The Babysitter film series. But apart from her horror movies, the actress also had a brief role in Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man 3.
Further, Jenna Ortega kept grinding in her acting career with her roles in TV series like You, Richie Rich, and a few other children’s specials. But things changed overnight for the actress after she sought to appear in Tim Burton’s first foray into television, Wednesday. Hired to play the dark wit titular character with an unmistakable Burtonesque aesthetic, Ortega catapulted her fame overnight.
As the show was released on Netflix, Wednesday turned into one of the most popular, coming-of-age supernatural comedy horror shows. Based on the character Wednesday Addams by Charles Addams, the TV series summoned a new record for Netflix, as it drew a whopping 341.23M hours of viewership in its first week, as per Deadline. Impressively beating the Duffer Brothers’ Strangers Things 4, Ortega’s Wednesday made its way into the Top 10.
Following the success of Netflix’s Wednesday, there came otherworldly fame and overnight popularity for Jenna Ortega. But since the actress had adjusted to her lowkey fame over the years, she initially struggled to cope with the aftermath of the popularity. Appearing for the 30th annual Hollywood Issue of Vanity Fair, alongside 10 other vibrant stars, Ortega recalled how she was stunned by her overnight popularity and fanbase.
Jenna Ortega Struggled to Cope With Her Sudden Popularity
During her interview with the outlet, the bright and rising talent of this generation, Jenna Ortega, noted how she faced an overwhelming surge in popularity after Wednesday. Apart from opportunities coming her way, Ortega recalled how she became the center of attention, and the spotlight was always on her. Unfortunately, as she was previously accustomed to lowkey fame, this sudden fanbase seemed a little too much for her in the beginning.
Currently preparing to star in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice sequel this fall, Jenna Ortega revealed how she initially struggled to cope with her fame after Wednesday. Admitting that the record-breaking Netflix launch was dizzying, Ortega mentioned struggling with her words and reactions. Unaware of how to react to her success, the actress claimed to be emotionally confused.
“I didn’t know what to say or do. I just became very confused emotionally.”
However, soon, the Hollywood strikes began in 2023, and things came to a standstill. Although the strikes had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, Jenna Ortega revealed how it helped her slow down and cope with the constant buzz. The breakout of the strikes apparently helped Ortega to remember her purpose in the industry and also helped her overcome the overwhelming feeling.
“To still enjoy the job just as much 12 years later—having seen all of the ugly and wonderful and extreme—is pretty cool.”
Wednesday took the entertainment industry by storm and even garnered 12 Emmy nominations. Although the sudden, overnight fame was a little too much for Jenna Ortega, it evidently turned her into a global sensation and offered her the popularity she deserved.
Wednesday is streaming on Netflix.
