Jenna Ortega Discusses the Harsh Reality of Being a Child Actor

Jenna Ortega reflects on her early experiences as a child actor, revealing that she often neglected her own needs to avoid being a burden to those around her.

In a recent interview with Esquire, Ortega shared how seriously she approached her work at a young age. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities she received, striving to remain focused and professional throughout her career.

“I really had it going for me as a child ‘cause I can’t think of one mistake I made,” Ortega remarked. “Is that a terrible thing to say? I feel like I make mistakes now all the time, but as a child, I was so grateful and so excited to be there that my game face was on.”

This dedication often led Ortega to forgo basic necessities while working. She explained that she hesitated to ask for anything, not wanting to disrupt the flow of production. “I wasn’t asking for a sip of water,” she recalled. “I would go all day without eating, drinking, whatever, because I wanted so badly to not be in the way of anybody.”

Looking back, Ortega acknowledges that this mindset may not have been healthy. She admitted that her focus on being a good worker sometimes overshadowed her self-care. “Maybe that was my mistake, was not actually looking after myself,” she reflected.

Ortega began her acting journey at the tender age of 7, when she expressed her desire to her parents, who initially laughed at her ambition.

However, she persevered, eventually landing roles in shows like ‘Richie Rich’, ‘Jane the Virgin’, ‘You’, and ‘Elena of Avalor’. Her significant breakthrough came with Disney Channel’s ‘Stuck in the Middle’, which premiered in 2016 when she was just 13.

Her experiences have influenced her perspective on the challenges young performers face. During the Esquire interview, Ortega addressed the negative stereotypes often associated with child stars.

“Is it wrong to say that a lot of them are true? And do with that what you will,” she stated. Ortega emphasized her determination to pursue acting from a young age, describing herself as stubborn and unwavering in her decision.

“I was 7 years old when I said I wanted to do this,” Ortega shared. “My parents laughed at me when I told them that I wanted to do it, and then that was kind of the root of everything. The motivation. And I never really stopped, because I’m very stubborn. And then I never questioned it.”

Now recognized as one of Hollywood’s leading young stars, Ortega’s insights shed light on the immense pressure she placed on herself long before gaining fame for her role in ‘Wednesday’.

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