Behind the Success of 'WEDNESDAY', Jenna Ortega Claims She is Unhappy and Afraid

Kapanlagi.com - The success of the series WEDNESDAY on Netflix has had quite a heavy impact on the main actress, Jenna Ortega. In her latest interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Ortega revealed that after the series exploded globally, she actually feels like an unhappy person. "To be honest, after that show and trying to understand everything, I am an unhappy person," she said.

As an introverted person, the sudden surge in popularity has made Ortega feel pressured and fearful. She feels like she has become an easy target on social media, where every move she makes is monitored and criticized. "I feel like being a bully is very popular right now," she said, describing how heavy it is to be under constant public scrutiny.

Although the series WEDNESDAY brings many benefits—such as opening new interests in the world of music and gothic fashion—Ortega also feels trapped in the image of the character WEDNESDAY that limits her space as an adult actress. She admitted, "I am working on a show that I will be doing for years where I play a student. But I am also a young woman," indicating her discomfort with the industry's expectations of her.

1. Life-Changing Popularity

Jenna Ortega is not a new face in the entertainment world. She has been working since she was a child, including starring in Disney projects. However, WEDNESDAY drastically changed her life in a short time. Its viewership even surpassed STRANGER THINGS 4, making it the most-watched English-language series on Netflix of all time.

However, this major change brought mental consequences for Ortega. She feels often misunderstood and not taken seriously by the industry or the public. "Being on the wrong side of the rumor mill really opened my eyes," she said, highlighting the harsh pressures faced by young artists in the digital age.

2. Struggle to Leave the Child Image Behind

(credit: instagram.com/jennaortega)

After the success of WEDNESDAY, Ortega immediately signed on for several different film projects, such as DEATH OF A UNICORN from A24, HURRY UP TOMORROW with The Weeknd, and KLARA AND THE SUN by Taika Waititi. This was done to prove her abilities as an actress who can portray more mature and complex characters.

According to Ortega, playing a schoolgirl in the long term feels degrading. She stated, "You know, it's like when you wear a schoolgirl costume. There's something about it that feels very degrading." She wants to show that she can be more than just the characters introduced in her teenage years.

3. Between Fans and Personal Satisfaction

(credit: instagram.com/jennaortega)

Ortega is very aware of the significant role fans play in building her career, and she feels responsible for providing work that they can enjoy. However, on the other hand, she also wants to take on roles that align with her passion and vision as an artist. "I want to be able to give something back to them. But I also want to do things that are creatively satisfying for myself," she said.

She strives to balance between commercial projects and artistic ones. With a variety of characters she wants to portray in the future, Ortega hopes to showcase different sides of herself in each role she takes. WEDNESDAY season 2 is scheduled to air in two parts from August 6 to September 3 on Netflix.

(kpl/ute)