Entertainment
Jenna Ortega
She is the second youngest actress to receive an Emmy Award nomination
Jenna Ortega didn’t expect to become a television icon overnight thanks to the series “Wednesday.” For the young actress of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, it was another step towards recognition in Hollywood. Tim Burton’s magic allowed her to shine. Within hours of its release, fans on social media were imitating her dance and many aspects of her character.
While many recognized her for her roles in Jane the Virgin, Stuck in the Middle, or You, it was her role as the memorable daughter of the Addams Family that brought her international fame.
At the age of 20, the star underwent a significant transformation in her life. The dance routine from the fourth episode quickly went viral gaining global attention, with millions worldwide imitating her iconic moves set to the beat of Goo Goo Muck by the American band The Cramps, or to an accelerated rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary.”
Jenna created this choreography herself, crafted precisely for that pivotal moment. She dedicated several nights to research, self-recording, drawing inspiration from notable figures such as Siouxsie Sioux, Lene Lovich, and of course, Lisa Long, the actress who portrayed Wednesday in the 1964 rendition of The Addams Family.
In record time, her social media also exploded, and she gained thousands and thousands of followers. And while it might seem like a great achievement for many, it was quite a challenge for Jenna, as she doesn’t want her sarcastic comments to get her into trouble. During the filming, she also faced an emotional crisis due to the tight schedule that included fencing or cello classes but also because of the demands she placed on herself in front of the cameras.
After the premiere of the first season and with time to reflect, Jenna will resume her role in the second part of the Netflix series. However, her work and contributions go beyond that, as she not only managed to make her voice heard with contributions to the character but also found new challenges in her career. Jenna also became more involved and will return to the set as a producer, which has everyone excited, as it will be the first time the young actress puts her ideas in front of the camera.
In the upcoming year, we’ll witness her taking on the lead role in Scream 6, and she’ll embody Lydia’s daughter in Beetlejuice 2. Additionally, she’s been involved in other projects like Miller’s Girl, Finestkind, and Winter Spring Summer or Fall, all of which are currently in post-production, poised to solidify her success.
Following her role in the series, Jenna, at the age of 20, etched her name in history as the second youngest actress to receive an Emmy Award nomination, with only Patty Duke surpassing her by earning a nomination at the age of 17 in 1964 for her role in “The Patty Duke Show.”
