Jenna Ortega opens up about the ‘terrifying feeling’ of coping with realities of fame
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Jenna Ortega, Mental Health
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Youtube/MTV
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Jenna Ortega, Mental Health
Jenna Ortega has revealed how it felt being flung into the spotlight so early in life and the 'terrifying feeling' of the reality fame.
Ortega broke out into the film and TV industry at the age of just 10 in Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle, appearing in hit series Jane the Virgin at the same age and even Iron Man 3 too. However, it's her roles in movies released in recent years which have really seen her level of fame increase - and pretty rapidly at that.
The 21-year-old actor has gone from strength-to-strength, starring in not only the Scream franchise but in the titular role of Tim Burton's TV series Wednesday. Let's not forget she landed the main part in the sequel of the iconic Beetlejuice to, which is set to be released in theaters this week.
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Speaking about her respect and admiration for fellow Beetlejuice star Winona Ryder, Ortega opened up about her journey into the spotlight following her roles in productions such as Wednesday and Scream.
She told MTV the pair have talked about their similar journeys into the film and TV industry - Ryder breaking into the industry at the age of 15 in 1986 movie Lucas before going on to star in Beetlejuice, turning 16 during filming.
Ortega continued: "We definitely sit down and have talked about it extensively. And it's really, really reassuring and comforting especially because when we were shooting Beetlejuice, it hadn't even been a year since Wednesday came out so everything was still fresh and new."
However, Ortega admits it can also be 'scary'.
The actor continues: "It's like a terrifying feeling. And I don't say that to complain or to say, 'Oh it's so hard doing it'. But it is. It is like a lot happens. And it's definitely an adjustment."
Ortega resolved: "I'm very grateful to be where I am and she [Ryder] had a similar thing to say. It was just so nice to speak to someone who actually understood me, because you can turn to your family who loves and supports you, but they don't know.
"It was just really insightful and opening and that was definitely one of the things we connected on."
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is coming to theaters tomorrow (September 6).
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.