Jenna Ortega Biography
Jenna Ortega is an American actress, who initiated her career in childhood, gaining acclaim for her portrayal of young Jane in The CW’s comedy-drama series “Jane the Virgin” (2014–2019). Between 2016 and 2018, she held a prominent role as Harley Diaz in the Disney Channel series “Stuck in the Middle,” earning an Imagen Award. Ortega portrayed Ellie Alves in the second season of the thriller series “You” in 2019 and headlined the family film “Yes Day” in 2021, both released on Netflix.
Jenna Ortega Age/ How Old is Jenna Ortega?
As of 2023, Ortega is 21 years old, she was born on September 27, 2002, in, Palm Desert, California, in the United States of America. Furthermore, she celebrates her birthday on September 27 every year.
How Tall is Jenna Ortega? Jenna Ortega Height
She stands at an average height of 5 feet 1 inch tall.
Jenna Ortega Education
She attended public schools, including Amelia Earhart Elementary School and John Glenn Middle School, in Coachella Valley, California. In eighth grade, she decided to pursue acting full-time and dropped out of traditional schooling. This decision was supported by her family to allow her to focus on landing roles in Disney projects. She has mentioned attending a local private college in California, though details about the specific institution and her current enrollment status are not publicly available.
Jenna Ortega Parents
parents are Edward Ortega and Natalie Ortega. Her father, Edward, is of Mexican descent and works at the California district attorney’s office. Her mother, Natalie, is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent and works as an emergency room nurse. Jenna’s parents have been very supportive of her acting career from a young age. Her mother would often drive her to Los Angeles for auditions, even though they lived near Palm Springs in California. Their support has helped Jenna to become one of the most successful young actresses in Hollywood.
Jenna Ortega Siblings
Ortega has five siblings: three older brothers and two younger sisters.
- Isaac Ortega is Jenna’s oldest sibling. He was born in 1998 and is currently a musician and actor. He has appeared in several TV shows and movies, including “Jane the Virgin” and “Stuck in the Middle.”
- Mariah Ortega is Jenna’s second-oldest sibling. She was born in 1999 and is not involved in the entertainment industry.
- Mia Ortega is Jenna’s older sister. She was born in 2000 and is an actress who has appeared in the TV series “Little Big Shots” and the movie “Iron Man 3.”
- Aaliyah Ortega is Jenna’s younger twin sister. She was born in 2004 and is not involved in the entertainment industry.
- Markus Ortega is Jenna’s younger twin brother. He was born in 2004 and is not involved in the entertainment industry.
Jenna has said that her siblings are very supportive of her acting career. She has also said that they are all very close, despite their busy schedules.
Jenna Ortega Dating
As of March 2024, Jenna Ortega is reportedly single and not dating anyone. She has been open about prioritizing her career and not being interested in pursuing relationships at the moment. She has also addressed and debunked rumors about her dating other celebrities in the past.
Is Jenna Ortega Pregnant?
There is no reliable information that confirms Ortega is pregnant. A search for news articles or reputable sources mentioning her pregnancy yields no credible results. There are videos titled “JENNA ORTEGA IS PREGNANT?” but these could be clickbait and not based on facts. Social media searches also show mixed information, with some claiming she is pregnant and others stating she’s not. Therefore, it’s safe to say that Jenna Ortega is likely not pregnant at this time.
Jenna Ortega Past Relationships
Ortega has been linked to a few individuals in the past, it’s important to note that she has clarified that she never actually dated any of them.
- Isaak Presley: Throughout filming the show “Stuck in the Middle,” where they played siblings, Ortega and her co-star Isaak Presley were frequently rumored to be dating. However, this was never confirmed and they remain friends.
- Asher Angel: In 2018, attending a Halloween party together dressed as a former couple sparked rumors of a relationship between Ortega and actor Asher Angel. However, this was never confirmed.
- Jacob Sartorius: Appearing in his music video “Chapstick” and sharing a kiss fueled speculation about Ortega dating singer Jacob Sartorius. But, Ortega later clarified on a podcast that they were never actually dating.
Jenna Ortega Disney
Ortega began her acting journey with a role in the sitcom “Rob” in 2012 and later appeared in an episode of “CSI: NY” as a victim of an accidental shooting. From 2014 to 2019, she portrayed a younger version of Jane Villanueva on the comedy series “Jane the Virgin,” alongside Gina Rodriguez. Additionally, Ortega starred in the direct-to-video comedy “The Little Rascals Save the Day” (2014) and the Netflix series “Richie Rich” (2015). She also appeared in the film “After Words” (2015) as Anna Chapa, receiving mixed reviews from critics.
Between 2016 and 2018, Ortega took on the lead role in the Disney Channel sitcom “Stuck in the Middle” as Harley Diaz, an aspiring inventor and the middle child among seven siblings. She expressed her excitement about landing the role and drew inspiration from her family dynamics. Moreover, critics lauded her performance, with Common Sense Media praising her portrayal of the long-suffering middle child. Ortega received three Imagen Award nominations for Best Young Actor – Television, winning in 2018. Additionally, she lent her voice to Princess Isabel in the animated series “Elena and the Secret of Avalor” (2016) and its spin-off “Elena of Avalor” (2016–2020).
Jenna Ortega Career
In 2018, Jenna Ortega took on the lead role of Dawn in the film Saving Flora, portraying the daughter of a circus owner. Following her time on Stuck in the Middle, she sought out more mature projects but encountered stereotypes that confined her to Disney roles. Despite contemplating quitting acting due to feeling too old for young roles and too young for older roles, Ortega persisted. In 2020, she appeared in the Netflix horror film The Babysitter: Killer Queen as Phoebe, receiving mixed critical reviews. Ortega also lent her voice to the character Brooklynn in the Netflix animated series Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous from 2020 to 2022. Making her writing debut in 2021, she authored the book It’s All Love.
Ortega continued her streak with roles in the Netflix comedy Yes Day (2021) as a determined teenager seeking independence from her parents. She then starred in The Fallout, a high-school drama focusing on a student grappling with emotional trauma following a school shooting.
Additionally, Ortega immersed herself in research to prepare for the role, studying photographs, videos, and interviews related to school shootings. She found the emotional depth of the character to be a natural fit.
In 2022, Ortega appeared in the Foo Fighters-led horror film Studio 666 and the comedy horror American Carnage. Moreover, Critics praised her performances, with IGN commending her “no-shits-given shell” and The A.V. Club noting her portrayal of a stubborn punk persona that belies her underlying care for others.
Jenna Ortega Net Worth
Ortega’s estimated net worth is reported to be around $5 million as of 2024.
Jenna Ortega Smoking
In May 2023, Ortega, then 20 years old, was photographed smoking a cigarette in London. These photos went viral and sparked mixed reactions from fans and the public. Some people expressed disapproval and concern, citing the health risks associated with smoking. Others defended Ortega’s right to make her own choices as an adult. Her mother, Natalie Ortega, also responded by sharing anti-smoking messages on social media, though she later deleted the posts.
Jenna Ortega Scream
Ortega played Tara Carpenter, a teenager in Woodsboro, in the fifth installment of the Scream franchise, simply titled “Scream” (2022), and its sequel, “Scream VI” (2023). Tara is the younger sister of Sam Carpenter, played by Melissa Barrera, who returns to Woodsboro after the Ghostface killings begin again. Tara becomes a target of Ghostface herself in the opening scene of the 2022 film, setting the stage for the rest of the movie.
Critics and audiences alike praised Ortega for her portrayal of Tara, with many applauding her performance and her capacity to carry the film alongside Barrera. However, recent announcements revealed that Ortega will not reprise her role in the seventh installment of the franchise, “Scream VII,” citing scheduling conflicts with her work on the second season of her Netflix series, Wednesday.
Jenna Ortega Wednesday
Ortega plays the iconic role of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series, “Wednesday.” Ortega’s portrayal of the character has been praised for its balance of gloominess and rebellion. Capturing the essence of Wednesday Addams while also bringing a fresh perspective to the beloved character. The series follows Wednesday as she attends Nevermore Academy. A school for outcasts, and attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, and thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town. Solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago – all while navigating her new relationships with a diverse student body.
Jenna Ortega and Johnny Depp
Ortega and Johnny Depp are two well-known actors in Hollywood, but they have never worked together or dated. They have never even met each other. In 2022, rumors began circulating online that the two were dating. These rumors were quickly shut down by both Ortega and Depp’s representatives. Ortega stated that the rumors were “ridiculous” and that she had never met Depp. Depp’s representative also denied the rumors, stating that Depp had “no personal or professional relationship” with Ortega.
Jenna Ortega Iron Man 3
She played the Vice President’s daughter, who uses a wheelchair. The character remains unnamed, yet her presence significantly impacts the plot. The film’s villain, Aldrich Killian (played by Guy Pearce), manipulates her father, Vice President Rodriguez (portrayed by Miguel Ferrer). Into backed his project, Extremis, in the belief that it could cure his daughter’s disability. This action ultimately results in Rodriguez’s downfall, as authorities arrest him for colluding with Killian. Ortega’s appearance in Iron Man 3 marked her film debut at the age of 10.
Jenna Ortega Upcoming Movies
- Miller’s Girl (Released January 26, 2024): This psychological thriller film stars Ortega as Cairo, a talented student whose relationship with her English teacher. Played by Martin Freeman, takes a dark turn.
- Finestkind (expected release in 2024): This crime thriller follows two brothers, played by Tommy Lee Jones and Ben Foster, who get involved with organized crime. Ortega plays Nicky, a character whose role in the story is yet to be revealed.
- Beetlejuice 2 (expected release in September 2024): This long-awaited sequel to the 1988 classic sees Ortega reprise her role as Lydia Deetz from the Netflix series “Wednesday.” Michael Keaton also returns as the bio-exorcist Beetlejuice, alongside Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara.
- Scream 7 (expected release in 2024 or early 2025): Ortega returns as Tara Carpenter in the latest installment of the popular slasher franchise.
- Death of a Unicorn (expected release in 2024): This A24 film stars Ortega alongside Paul Rudd in a story about a family who becomes entangled with a mysterious sculptor.
Jenna Ortega Vegan
Ortega was previously vegan, but she is no longer following that diet. She stated in a recent interview that she stopped being vegan while filming the Netflix show “Wednesday”. In Romania, she felt she wasn’t getting the nutrients she needed due to the limited availability of vegan options in the region. As a result, she currently identifies as a pescatarian, meaning she includes fish in her diet but avoids other meat.
Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows
Movies/ Films
- Scream VI (2023): This latest installment in the popular slasher franchise sees Ortega reprise her role as Tara Carpenter, one of the survivors of the Ghostface killings in the previous film.
- The Fallout (2021): In this coming-of-age drama, Ortega portrays Vada Cavell, a high school student who navigates the emotional aftermath of a school shooting. Her performance received critical acclaim.
- X (2022): This slasher film from director Ti West stars Ortega as Lorraine, a young actress who travels to Texas with a film crew to shoot an adult film. The film takes a dark turn when they are targeted by a mysterious killer.
- American Carnage (2022): Ortega takes on a more villainous role in this horror comedy as Camila Montes, a wealthy teenager who becomes involved in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a group of working-class teenagers.
- Yes Day (2021): This family comedy stars Ortega as Katie Torres, a rebellious teenager who convinces her parents (played by Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramirez) to say yes to everything for one day.
TV Shows/ Television
- Jane the Virgin (2014–2019): A comedy-drama series in which Ortega played a young Jane Villanueva, the narrator’s (Gina Rodriguez) younger self.
- Stuck in the Middle (2016–2018): A Disney Channel series where Ortega played Harley Diaz, a resourceful and mischievous middle child in a large family.
- You (2019): A psychological thriller series in which Ortega played Ellie Alves, a young neighbor of the protagonist, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley).
- Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous (2020–2022): An animated series where Ortega voiced Brooklynn, a creative and resourceful camper.
- Wednesday (2022–present): A supernatural comedy horror series in which Ortega stars as Wednesday Addams, a teenage girl with a morbid fascination with the macabre.
Jenna Ortega Social Media Platforms
Ortega is active on her social media pages. She has 39.1 Million Followers on Instagram, 1.3 Million Followers on Facebook, and 1.5 Million Followers on TikTok.