Jenna Ortega: Child Star Sacrifices – No Food, No Water on Set
Jenna Ortega: Child Star Sacrifices – No Food, No Water on Set
Jenna Ortega opens up about her extreme experiences as a child star, revealing she'd go all day without food or water to avoid being a 'nuisance.' A raw look into Hollywood's child acting world.
Jenna Ortega, widely recognized for her breakout role in Netflix’s “Wednesday,” has recently shed light on the intense pressures she faced as a child actor, revealing she would often go without food or water on set to avoid being perceived as a burden.
In a candid interview, Ortega, now 23, reflected on her early career, which saw her gain prominence at a young age with roles in shows like “Jane the Virgin,” Disney’s “Stuck in the Middle,” “Richie Rich,” and “Elena of Avalor.” Despite her success and a self-described “game face” that prevented her from making mistakes, she admitted to extreme self-deprivation. “I wasn’t asking for a sip of water,” she recounted.
I would go all day without eating, drinking, whatever, because I wanted so badly to not be in the way of anybody.
Ortega acknowledged that this approach might have been detrimental, stating, “Maybe that was my mistake, was not actually looking after myself.” Her motivation, she explained, stemmed from a deep-seated desire to please and not cause any inconvenience.
When asked about the negative stereotypes surrounding child stars, Ortega offered a telling response:
Is it wrong to say that a lot of them are true? And do with that what you will.
Her remarks offer a glimpse into the often-unseen struggles faced by young performers navigating the demanding entertainment industry.
Despite these challenges, Ortega has consistently expressed gratitude for her early opportunities, driven by a passion for acting that began at a very young age.
