Jenna Ortega on Skipping Food & Water on Set Early On

Jenna Ortega, the actress best known for her starring role in Netflix’s Wednesday, has opened up about the grueling realities of her early years in the industry, revealing that she would sometimes go an entire day on set without eating or drinking. In a recent conversation, Ortega explained the mindset behind that self-imposed hardship, offering a candid look at the pressures young performers often face when trying to prove themselves.

The 23-year-old star, who began acting as a child with roles in shows like Jane the Virgin and Stuck in the Middle, said the behavior stemmed from a deep-seated fear of being seen as difficult or unprofessional. She described a period when she felt that pausing to take a break for a meal or water could be interpreted as a lack of dedication, so she pushed through long shooting days without basic sustenance. “I think it was my way of trying to show I was tough,” Ortega said, explaining that she wanted to avoid any perception of being high-maintenance. The actress noted that she would often wait until she got home to finally eat or hydrate, treating basic needs as an afterthought rather than a requirement.

Ortega was quick to clarify that this approach wasn’t something enforced by directors or crew members, but rather a standard she had set for herself based on observing how others in the industry operated. She recalled feeling that the adults around her, particularly in her pre-teen and teenage years, seemed to function on an almost superhuman level of endurance, and she tried to mirror that behavior to fit in. “I thought that’s what you had to do to survive,” she said, adding that she never wanted to be the reason a production slowed down, even for something as routine as a snack break.

The actress’s comments come as part of a broader discussion about the working conditions for child actors and the mental toll of growing up in the public eye. Ortega, who has spoken before about the anxiety and impatience she has dealt with in her career, framed this early habit as a misguided attempt at control. She admitted that looking back, the choice was neither healthy nor necessary, but at the time it felt like a way to maintain a competitive edge in an unforgiving industry.

Her breakthrough role as the brooding, deadpan Wednesday Addams has since cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand young talents, but Ortega emphasized that the acclaim didn’t erase those earlier struggles. Even as she has taken on more prominent projects, including horror films like Scream and X, she acknowledged that the instinct to overcompensate can linger. However, she stressed that she has since learned to prioritize her well-being, noting that experience has taught her the value of speaking up for basic needs on set.

The revelation has sparked conversation among fans and industry observers about the hidden costs of early fame, with many praising Ortega for her honesty about a topic that is rarely discussed so openly. While the actress did not tie her past behavior to any specific production, her remarks serve as a reminder of the systemic pressures that can shape a young performer’s professional habits. Ortega’s willingness to revisit that uncomfortable chapter suggests a level of self-awareness that she hopes will resonate with others in similar positions.

At this point in her career, Ortega has clearly found her footing, but she remains reflective about the journey that got her there. She described the experience as a learning curve, one that ultimately taught her that endurance is not the same as strength. “You can be committed and still take care of yourself,” she said, framing her new perspective as a hard-won lesson for anyone trying to make it in a demanding field. Her comments offer a rare glimpse into the psychological weight that comes with early success, and they add depth to her public persona as an actress who is unafraid to examine the darker sides of her own story.

For now, Ortega’s candid remarks have given audiences more than just a headline; they’ve provided a mirror for an industry that often glorifies exhaustion. By revisiting those formative years, she has turned a personal memory into a meaningful observation about resilience and self-respect. As she continues to build her career, her message appears to be that true professionalism includes knowing when to step back - and that no role is worth a day without water.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter