Jenna Ortega Reveals She Once Almost Quit Acting Before Signing Role In You Season 2, ‘Who I Was..’

Jenna Ortega is a popular Hollywood actress, who rose to fame with her powerful performance, Wednesday. Recently, she appeared on a podcast, during which she revealed that she was very close to quitting acting until she got her role in Netflix’s You Season 2. For those who do not know, the thriller series, You Season 2 aired in 2019. 

Jenna Ortega had once planned to leave acting

Recently, the Wednesday actress, Jenna Ortega appeared on Kid Cudi’s podcast, Big Bro, during which she opened up about a tough phase of her life when she had almost quit acting. Jenna explained that when she was a teenager, she had been dropped from a children’s show and after that she had no idea what to do. For those who do not know, as a child, Jenna has been a part of Jane The Virgin and Stuck In The Middle. The actress was quoted as saying:

“When I was a teenager, I’d gotten off a children’s show, and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had to prove myself and meet all these new casting directors who didn’t know who I was.”

Further, Jenna Ortega also explained that during that time, she felt that it was the best time for her to quit acting as she was about to start high school. However, things changed when she signed the Netflix show, You Season 2. During the podcast, Jenna stated that after she appeared on the show, she realised that she loves acting and being on set. After the show, she made up her mind that she won’t quit acting. In her words:

“It just felt like a good time to call it quits if I was going to. I was starting high school, and, ‘it was a good run’ sort of thing. We had talked about it for a few months with my team. And then, I think I booked that show You, and then I went on that set, and I loved it and had the best time. I thought, ‘Yeah, there’s no way I could let this go’.”

Jenna Ortega rose to nationwide fame with Wednesday

Despite doing multiple shows as a teenager, Jenna Ortega rose to nationwide fame with the much-loved show, Wednesday. For the unversed, the show first premiered in 2022, and soon became a fan favourite. Jenna plays the role of ‘Wednesday Addams’ in the show. In 2025, Jenna spoke about her show, Wednesday. She was quoted as saying:

“I’m doing a show I’m going to be doing for years where I play a schoolgirl. But I’m also a young woman. It’s like how you’re dressed in the schoolgirl costume. There’s just something about it that’s very patronising. Also, when you’re short, people are already physically looking down on you.”

More about Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega is a popular American actress, who is known for her strong and powerful acting skills. Reportedly, she was born in 2002, and started acting at a very young age. Before rising to fame with Wednesday, Jenna appeared on Stuck In The Middle, Richie Rich, Jane The Virgin and more. Later, she also starred in You Season 2, Scream and X.

Talking about her personal life, Jenna Ortega was born to parents, Edward and Natalie. The actress has five more siblings. According to a report by People, the family grew up in California. In 2024, Jenna shared details about her mom in the docuseries, My Generation. In 2023, Jenna also hosted Saturday Night Live.

In 2024, Jenna Ortega once credited her parents for keeping her safe. The Wednesday actress stated that even though her parents were hesitant about her working as a child actor. Once Jenna shared that even though children are supposed to climb trees and enjoy their time; however, Jenna was planning to work in shows and movies.

What are your thoughts on Jenna Ortega’s revelations? Let us know.

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