Jenna Ortega Credits Her Mother for Keeping Her Safe from Misconduct as a Child Star
Jenna Ortega, known for her role in Disney’s Stuck in the Middle, credited her mother for protecting her from misconduct as a child star. She mentioned that her mother watched over her closely, similar to a hawk. The docuseries Quiet on Set shed light on the dark reality behind kids’ shows, with many child actors from Nickelodeon speaking out about the harassment and misconduct they faced behind the scenes.
When asked by The New York Times if she had a similar experience, Ortega denied it and gave credit to her vigilant mother. Although she hadn’t watched the documentary herself, her mother did and discussed it with her.
“I think for her, it was more painful because she saw how other children were not protected or cared for,” Ortega explained. “She watched over me diligently, so I think she felt empathetic towards those who weren’t as fortunate.”
Ortega expressed gratitude that her mother was there to protect her and wished she could have helped the other children who faced misconduct. She acknowledged that child acting is a unique and strange experience, as children are placed in adult work environments.
Reflecting on her upbringing in Coachella Valley, Ortega believed it shaped her into the person she is today, affecting her speech and interactions. She mentioned the shared experience of child actors creating a “secret language” that only they understand.
Despite some regrets about pursuing acting at a young age, Ortega wouldn’t change her path. She will appear in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice sequel, set to release on September 6, 2024.