Jenna Ortega: Meet the Wednesday Addams Actress and Gen Z Scream Queen
'Stranger Things' is her favorite show.
In an interview with Talk Nerdy With Us, Ortega revealed that the popular Netflix sci-fi horror series is one of her favorite shows. She told the outlet, "I follow everyone's theories about the show, and I cannot get enough of it." In the past, she and her Stuck In The Middle costars have even dressed up as Stranger Things characters for Halloween.
prevnextShe is passionate about her work as a UNAIDS ambassador.
Ortega has worked closely with UNAIDS to raise awareness in honor of her late grandfather, who died of AIDS. As she said at WE Day in 2017, "I want to help eliminate the stigma of AIDS and get people talking about it. Make it normal. Bring it up. It's a disease that affects all of us." The activist also often posts about causes she advocates on social media, supporting causes like Unicef, Black Lives Matter, and reproductive rights.
prevnextShe won an Imagen award.
Ortega's role as Harley Diaz in the Disney series Stuck in the Middle garnered her three nominations for the Best Young Actor award, winning once. She received two nominations for Stuck In The Middle and Elena Of Avalor in 2019 but lost to Anthony Gonzalez, who won the prize for Icebox. Imagen Foundation organizes the awards to promote positive portrayals of Latinos in the media. Over the last three decades, they have honored notable Latino entertainers like Antonio Banderas, Jennifer Lopez, and Andy Garcia.
prevnextThe actress is outspoken against anti-immigration.
Ortega has first-hand experience of discrimination against immigrants because her great-grandmother was an undocumented Mexican immigrant. She told Teen Vogue that staying true to your culture is essential, along with embracing the fact that so many people of different ethnicities live in the United States. In addition, she supports Pride Over Prejudice, an organization that advocates for individuals in the LGBTQ community.
prevnextShe voiced Disney's first Latina princess.
Ortega voiced Isabel in Elena of Avalor, the animated series based on Disney's first Latina princess. As a Latina, Ortega has always prided herself on her heritage. In a 2016 self-written PopSugar article, she said her acting career faced an uphill battle in the early 2000s due to subjective casting and restrictive ethnic guidelines. However, despite these difficulties, Ortega overcame cultural barriers and prejudice as an emerging star.
prevnextShe has five siblings.
According to TV Guide, the actress has three sisters (Aaliyah, Mariah, and Mia) and two brothers (Isacc and Markus). The daughter of mixed Mexican and Puerto Rican parents, Ortega is the fourth eldest of all her siblings. Her family is still reportedly living in Coachella Valley in California, where she grew up.
prevnextHer acting career began at a young age.
Ortega was reportedly discovered on Facebook after her mother shared a video of her. In 2012, she landed her first minor role in the series The Baby Bug when she was just nine years old, according to IMBD. Her credits since then include CSI: NY, Days of Our Lives, Iron Man 3 and Insidious: Chapter 2, Jane the Virgin, You, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, and Yes Day, a 2021 comedy-drama that co-starred Jennifer Garner.
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