Actress Jenna Ortega opens up about fame struggles and fighting to be taken seriously beyond her Wednesday role.

Struggling with Stardom

Jenna Ortega, now 22, has become a household name through her role in Netflix’s “Wednesday.” Yet this fame has come with unexpected challenges.

After the show’s success, Ortega confessed to Harper’s Bazaar that she became “an unhappy person” due to the overwhelming pressure and attention.

As someone naturally introverted, the sudden spotlight felt incredibly intense and frightening for the young actress.

The Tiny Woman Dilemma

Her “Gallerist” co-star Natalie Portman shares similar frustrations about being petite in Hollywood.

“We’re both physically tiny, so people often treat you like a child forever,” noted Portman, who at 43 still experiences patronizing behavior.

Ortega strongly relates, finding it “really annoying” because she doesn’t feel taken seriously.

The schoolgirl costume only reinforces this condescension, with Ortega pointing out that when you’re short, “people are already physically looking down on you.”

Trapped in Teen Typecasting

The actress faces a unique predicament—committed to playing a schoolgirl in “Wednesday” potentially for years while simultaneously navigating young adulthood.

This creates a disconnect between her on-screen persona and real-life growth.

Ortega observes that young male actors have more freedom to evolve their image, while women face harsh judgment if they deviate from their initial public introduction.

Fighting Age Assumptions

Nothing irritates Ortega more than dismissive comments about her youth. “It really irks me when people say, ‘Oh, you don’t understand.

You’re so young,'” she told Harper’s Bazaar.

She believes that actively learning from experiences and reflecting on decisions is essential for personal growth, regardless of age.

Refusing to do so means “choosing to be a bystander” in your own life.

Finding Her Voice

Despite these challenges, things are improving for Ortega on “Wednesday” season 2, where she’s stepped into a producer role.

“I sit in on meetings and listen and learn,” she explained, acknowledging she’s still discovering her footing in this new territory.

Meanwhile, showrunner Miles Millar promises the upcoming season will deliver “more straightforward horror” while maintaining the show’s signature balance of comedy and scares.