In a candid conversation on Kid Cudi’s podcast, Jenna Ortega shared her struggles with the creative industry, revealing that she almost walked away from acting before securing a pivotal role in the second season of Netflix’s psychological thriller, *You*. The 23-year-old actress, who has been making waves in Hollywood, felt disillusioned with her career as she transitioned from child roles to more mature performances.
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Ortega, known for her earlier roles in *Jane the Virgin* and *Stuck in the Middle*, described her uncertainty following her departure from children’s television. Speaking on the *Big Bro* podcast, she explained that after leaving a children’s show, she entered a phase of self-doubt. “I had to prove myself and meet all these new casting directors who didn’t know who I was,” she said. This pressure led her to contemplate quitting acting altogether.
“It just felt like a good time to call it quits if I was going to. I was starting high school, and I thought, ‘It was a good run’,” she recounted. For several months, she discussed her options with her team, considering it might be time to step away from the industry that had defined her teenage years. However, the turning point came when she auditioned and landed the role of Ellie Alves on *You*, a character that would significantly reshape her career.
Her experience on the set of *You*, which aired in 2019, was transformative. Ortega remarked on the joy she found working alongside her co-star Penn Badgley, stating, “I had the best time. I thought, ‘Yeah, there’s no way I could let this go.’” This role marked a significant shift in her career, allowing her to transition from young teen roles to more complex characters that demanded a deeper range.
Following *You*, Ortega’s career accelerated as she took on the iconic role of Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s *Wednesday*, an adaptation of the beloved *Addams Family*. This part has solidified her status in the entertainment industry and introduced her to a broader audience. Ortega has since earned recognition as a “scream queen,” having starred in both *Scream* (2022) and *Scream VI* (2023).
Despite her success in the *Scream* franchise, Ortega made headlines recently for her decision to step away from *Scream 7*. Her exit came shortly after the announcement of her co-star Melissa Barrera’s dismissal, raising questions about the future of the series. The storyline explanation for their absence was tied to a shift in the film’s setting from New York City to the fictional Pine Grove, Indiana.
Ortega’s recent filmography also includes diverse projects, such as the highly anticipated sequel *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice* set for 2024, and upcoming films like *Hurry Up Tomorrow* (2025) and the comedy-horror *Death of a Unicorn* (2025). Her versatility as an actress is evident, and she continues to capture audience interest across different genres.
As her star continues to rise, Ortega’s latest project, the comedy-thriller *The Gallerist*, premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and saw its theatrical debut on January 24, 2026. Furthermore, she is currently involved in the production of the third season of *Wednesday*, where she will be joined by Winona Ryder, enhancing the already star-studded cast.
Ortega’s journey from contemplating retirement to becoming a rising Hollywood icon illustrates both her resilience and passion for her craft. As she navigates this exciting phase of her career, fans eagerly await her future projects and the unique characters she will bring to life on screen.