Jenna Ortega Recalls Skipping Food and Water on Set as a Child Actor Out of Gratitude
Jenna Ortega revealed that early in her career she would go entire days without eating or drinking on set. She explained that her excitement and gratitude made her avoid asking for breaks. The actress shared this as a reflection on her early acting mistakes.
Ortega's decision to pursue acting professionally came at age seven, a choice her parents initially dismissed with laughter. She credits her stubbornness for sustaining her motivation, and names Dakota Fanning as an early inspiration who shaped her understanding of the craft.
She nearly left the industry before high school, but booking the Netflix series "You" reignited her passion. Her extensive early resume includes roles in "Iron Man 3" and "Jane the Virgin," and she is now set to star in Taika Waititi's "Klara and the Sun."
This candid admission could prompt greater awareness of the pressures child performers face. It may encourage studios to implement stricter welfare protocols, ensuring minors feel empowered to request basic necessities. Parents and guardians might also use this as a conversation starter about self-advocacy, potentially shifting industry norms toward prioritizing young talent's physical and emotional well-being over perceived gratitude.