Behind the Spotlight: Jenna Ortega’s Rise from Child Actor to Hollywood Star

Jenna Ortega’s journey to Hollywood was built on persistence and hard work. Before Wednesday made her a household name, she navigated an industry where opportunities weren’t guaranteed. Acting wasn’t just a dream—it was a goal she pursued despite setbacks, balancing auditions, school, and the challenges of breaking in without connections.

She steadily transitioned from child roles to complex characters, proving her versatility and determination. As a young Latina actress, she faced industry limitations but chose roles that challenged expectations.

Behind the success is a journey of quiet resilience and deliberate choices. This is a look at the years before fame and the path that shaped her into the actress she is today.

A Passion Ignited: Jenna’s Early Acting Aspirations

Born on September 27, 2002, in Palm Desert, California, Jenna Marie Ortega, she was raised in Coachella Valley as the fourth of six siblings. Her multicultural background, with Mexican and Puerto Rican roots, was deeply influenced by her maternal great-grandmother, an undocumented immigrant from Sinaloa, Mexico, and her maternal grandfather, who was from Puerto Rico. played a significant role in shaping her identity and aspirations. From an early age, Jenna exhibited a passion for performing, a trait that set her apart in her bustling household. She has mentioned in interviews that she was always an expressive child, full of energy and emotions, which made her stand out among her siblings.

Jenna’s love for acting was sparked at the age of six when she watched Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire. She found herself captivated by the young actress’s performance and declared that she wanted to pursue acting herself. However, despite her passion, Jenna faced early discouragement. She often told her family that she was going to be on Disney Channel one day, even when they were hesitant about her pursuing acting. Eventually, her mother relented and began driving her long distances to auditions. Reflecting on why her mother supported her, Jenna said in an interview with Today,

“I have no idea, she’s insane just like me. But really, she’s so loyal and so loving… she saw that I was so passionate about this thing for years and I was discouraged that I couldn’t do it. I think she finally succumbed and, you know, let me do it.”

At six years old, Jenna already knew she wanted to act and begged her mother for three years to let her pursue a career. Her mother initially tried to distract her with soccer and school, but Jenna remained persistent. Eventually, her mother bought her a monologue book and posted a video of nine-year-old Jenna performing, which led to her discovery by a casting director. At seven years old, Jenna began attending auditions, which required long drives to Los Angeles—a six-hour round trip. Despite the challenges, her determination never wavered.

Her family was integral to her journey. Jenna grew up in La Quinta, California, and described her childhood self as ‘loud and extroverted.’ While her father worked as a sheriff and her mother as an emergency room nurse, they ensured that Jenna balanced both education and her budding career. Her mother’s job, in particular, exposed her to medical stories that made her hyper-aware of everyday dangers, shaping her cautious yet determined personality. Interestingly, Jenna also had a curious side beyond acting—she has shared that as a child, she would often dissect insects and even perform autopsies on small animals like lizards she found in her backyard. This unconventional hobby stemmed from her fascination with how things worked, reflecting her deep curiosity about the world around her. Jenna has humorously referred to herself as a ‘weirdo’ for this pastime, embracing her unique childhood interests with pride. She also had a deep admiration for former U.S. President Barack Obama, even telling her mother that she wanted to be the first female president because of him.

How Jenna Ortega Was Discovered

Jenna’s breakthrough moment came after her mother’s video caught the attention of a casting agent. With no industry connections, Jenna struggled to secure roles, often feeling limited by the few Latina roles available and even contemplating dyeing her hair blonde to increase her chances of being cast. At the age of seven, her mother recorded a video of her performing a dramatic monologue and posted it on Facebook. This video caught the attention of a casting agent, who was impressed by her raw talent and expressive performance. Shortly after, Jenna was signed with an agent, which led to her first acting opportunities. For the first year, Jenna limited her auditions to commercials, landing 12 national campaigns, including three McDonald’s ads. in a single year, as different casting directors were unaware of her previous appearances.

Balancing School and Stardom

Education remained a priority in the Ortega household. Jenna initially attended Amelia Earhart Elementary School and John Glenn Middle School, but stopped going to public school in eighth grade to focus on acting full-time after securing a role in Stuck in the Middle (2016–2018). Her parents required her to maintain straight A’s before allowing her to pursue acting. Even after her breakthrough roles, she continued her studies, often doing on-set schooling between scenes.

Despite her growing recognition, Jenna’s family kept her grounded. During her early Disney years, she lived in an apartment in Los Angeles during the workweek and returned home on weekends, maintaining a strong connection with her family. She shared a room with her older sister, Mia, for most of her childhood and later with her younger sister, which strengthened their bond. She often recalled how her siblings reminded her of everyday chores, ensuring she remained humble even as her career took off.

Breaking into Hollywood: The Disney Era

Jenna’s first breakthrough came when she landed roles in commercials. Her first TV appearances followed, with guest roles in CSI: NY and Rob in 2012. However, her major break came with Disney Channel, where she starred in Stuck in the Middle as Harley Diaz, a role that made her a household name. She also voiced Princess Isabel in Elena of Avalor, a milestone project featuring Disney’s first Latina princess.

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Despite these successes, she also faced disappointments early in her career, missing out on major roles such as Chani in Dune (which went to Zendaya) and a part in Disney’s live-action Dumbo, a role she was particularly excited about due to her admiration for director Tim Burton.

Life Behind the Spotlight: The Reality of Fame

Despite her early success, Jenna faced the challenges that come with fame at a young age. She spoke about feeling like she had suddenly stepped into someone else’s life, in New York Times Interview saying,

“One day I woke up in somebody else’s shoes. I felt like I had entered somebody else’s life and didn’t know how to get back to mine.” (New York Times, August 2024).

To cope with the pressures of fame, she turned to journaling, a habit that helped her process her experiences. She has also spoken about the difficulties of maintaining privacy, choosing to avoid social media when possible and focusing on mental well-being by spending time outdoors. Writing has remained one of her favorite pastimes, as she finds it a great way to unwind and express herself. Another creative outlet for her is music—she learned to play the cello for her role in Wednesday (2022), further showcasing her dedication to her craft.

Cultural Identity and Representation

As a proud Latina, Jenna has expressed a deep desire to stay connected to her roots. Though she grew up speaking English, she has made efforts to learn Spanish to communicate better with her family, particularly her tía Emma. She has also emphasized the importance of representation in Hollywood, often advocating for more diverse storytelling.

Beyond acting, Jenna is a proud ambassador for UNAIDS, an organization she supports in honor of her late grandfather, who passed away from AIDS. In a 2017 interview, she stated,

“I want to help eliminate the stigma of AIDS and get people talking about it. Make it normal, bring it up. It’s a disease that affects all of us.”

Overcoming Fears and Embracing Challenges

Jenna has described herself as a fearful child and was also a dedicated vegan for many years. However, due to dietary challenges while filming Wednesday in Romania, she switched to a pescatarian diet., saying she was scared of the dark, Beetlejuice, and even dogs at one point. However, she learned to reframe her fears into excitement.

“I got older and realized that excitement is the same as fear,” she shared.

This mindset shift helped her navigate the unpredictable nature of Hollywood and embrace the opportunities that came her way.

She has also been open about her experiences on set. For instance, while filming X (2022), she delivered her iconic scream while battling a severe hangover after a night out with co-star Kid Cudi in New Zealand.

Looking to the Future

Even with a skyrocketing career, Jenna remains focused on her personal goals. She has expressed interest in writing and producing, aiming to create stories that reflect diverse experiences. While acting remains her passion, she is keen on using her platform to inspire young Latinas and advocate for more meaningful representation in the industry.

From a young girl with big dreams in Coachella Valley to a rising Hollywood star, Jenna Ortega’s early life is a testament to perseverance, strong family values, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling. As she continues to make waves in the entertainment industry, her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors and young dreamers alike.

References:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/24/magazine/jenna-ortega-interview.html https://www.businessinsider.com/jenna-ortega-fun-facts-2022-1 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4911194/?ref_=nmbio_ov https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2017/may/20170510_we-day