Jenna Ortega reveals she wouldn't eat or drink on set as a child star
Jenna Ortega reveals she wouldn't eat or drink on set as a child star
Edward Segarra, USA TODAYWed, August 12, 2026 at 1:08 PM UTC
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Not everyone is willing to suffer for their art, but Jenna Ortega is — well, at least the younger version of herself went to great lengths on set.
The Emmy-nominated actress and former child star reflected on her early career in an interview with Esquire released Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Before her breakthrough role as the no-nonsense Wednesday Addams in Tim Burton's dark comedy "Wednesday," Ortega began her career as a child actor at age 9. After appearing in several high-profile TV series and films, including "CSI: NY," "Iron Man 3," "Days of Our Lives" and "Richie Rich," Ortega landed a lead role in the Disney Channel sitcom "Stuck in the Middle," which she starred on from 2016 to 2018.
During her conversation with Esquire, Ortega, now 23, was asked what "rookie mistake you made on your first set," which prompted her to recall her strict approach to work.
"I really had it going for me as a child 'cause I can't think of one mistake I made. Is that a terrible thing to say?" Ortega told the outlet. "I feel like I make mistakes now all the time, but as a child, I was so grateful and so excited to be there that my game face was on."
Determined to be the consummate professional, Ortega added that she wouldn't even ask "for a sip of water" during her time on set.
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"I would go all day without eating, drinking, whatever, because I wanted so badly to not be in the way of anybody," Ortega continued. "Maybe that was my mistake, was not actually looking after myself."
Since her early rise to fame, Ortega has cemented herself as one of young Hollywood's brightest stars.
Her performance as Addams in "Wednesday," which USA TODAY TV critic Kelly Lawler described as a mix of "tough exterior and hidden depths," earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2023 for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series. The following year, Ortega appeared in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," a sequel to the cult-classic horror comedy starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder. She's also starred in musical projects for pop stars Sabrina Carpenter and The Weeknd.
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Even Ortega herself is at a loss for words for her astounding career trajectory.
"I was 7 years old when I said I wanted to do this," Ortega told Esquire. "My parents laughed at me when I told them that I wanted to do it, and then that kind of was the root of everything − the motivation. And I never really stopped because I'm very stubborn. And then I never questioned it."
Contributing: Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jenna Ortega reveals she wouldn't eat or drink on set as a child star
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