Growing up on camera is not easy. Jenna Ortega would go all day without food to avoid being in the way, she has now opened up about just how hard it really was. In a new interview with Esquire, the Wednesday star revealed that she would often go an entire day without eating or drinking anything while working as a child actor. Her reason was simple, and honestly, a little heartbreaking: she didn’t want to be a bother to anyone on set.
This admission has struck a chord with fans and critics alike. It shines a light on the pressure young performers face long before they understand what that pressure even means. Below, we break down what Ortega shared, how it connects to her early career, and why her words matter for the wider conversation about child stars in Hollywood.
What Jenna Ortega Said About Skipping Food and Water on Set?
Ortega explained that, as a child, she avoided asking for basic things like a glass of water. She simply pushed through her hunger and thirst instead of speaking up. In her own words, she “would go all day without eating, drinking, whatever,” because she wanted to stay out of everyone’s way.
That single sentence captures a lot. It shows a child who felt she had to earn her place on set, rather than a young performer who was allowed to simply be a kid. Meanwhile, most adults on a film or TV set can take breaks whenever they need to. A child actor, however, may not feel that same freedom, especially if she is trying to prove herself.
Why Jenna Ortega Stayed Quiet as a Child Actor?
Putting On a “Game Face” at a Young Age
Ortega described how she wore a kind of emotional armor while working. She called it her “game face.” Instead of expressing discomfort, she stayed composed and focused, no matter what she was feeling underneath. As a result, she says she made almost no visible mistakes during those early years.
This kind of self-control is impressive for an adult, let alone a child. Still, it raises a fair question. What does it cost a young person to maintain that level of composure, day after day, on a professional film set?
Looking Back, Ortega Says It Was a Mistake
Interestingly, Ortega doesn’t look back on this behavior with pride. Instead, she now sees it as a misstep. She admitted that not looking after her own basic needs was likely the wrong approach, even though it may have helped her career at the time.
This kind of honesty is rare from a young Hollywood star. Rather than glamorizing the hustle, Ortega is naming the real cost behind it. Her reflection also opens the door for other former child performers to speak up about similar experiences.
From Stuck in the Middle to Wednesday: Jenna Ortega’s Early Career
To understand why Ortega felt this pressure so young, it helps to look at her career timeline. She landed her breakout role on the Disney Channel show Stuck in the Middle in 2016. At the time, she was only 13 years old.
Before that show, Ortega had already worked on several other productions. These included Richie Rich, Jane the Virgin, You, and Elena of Avalor. In other words, by the time most kids are starting middle school, Ortega was already juggling multiple professional acting jobs.
This early and rapid start likely shaped the habits she described in her Esquire interview. When a child spends years learning to be quiet, agreeable, and low-maintenance on set, that pattern can easily follow her into adulthood.
Jenna Ortega on the Stigma Around Child Stars
There’s a long-standing stereotype about former child actors struggling later in life. So, when Ortega was asked directly about this stigma, she didn’t dismiss it. She suggested that a lot of it is simply true, and left it at that.
That response is refreshingly direct. Many public figures dodge these kinds of questions, however, Ortega chose to acknowledge the pattern instead of brushing it off. This honesty adds real weight to her broader comments about food, water, and self-neglect on set.
She also shared where her drive came from in the first place. Ortega said she decided she wanted to become an actor at just seven years old. Her parents laughed at the idea, but that reaction only fueled her determination. Because she is naturally stubborn, she says, she never stopped chasing that goal and never once questioned it.
The Bigger Picture: What Ortega’s Story Says About Child Actors Today
Jenna Ortega’s comments arrive at an important moment. More and more former child stars are speaking openly about the pressures they faced growing up in the entertainment industry. Consequently, conversations around on-set welfare, working hours, and emotional support for young performers are gaining real traction.
Ortega’s story is a useful reminder that a child’s silence on set is not always a sign that everything is fine. Sometimes, it’s the opposite. A quiet, well-behaved child actor may actually be someone who has learned to suppress her own needs in order to keep working.
For fans, this interview adds new depth to Ortega’s public image. She is no longer just the breakout star of Wednesday or the buzzy new face in projects like Klara and the Sun. She is also someone willing to be honest about the personal cost of early fame.
In short, Jenna Ortega would go all day without food or water as a child star, simply to avoid being seen as difficult. Looking back, she calls that a mistake, and her honesty about it adds a valuable, human voice to the ongoing conversation about protecting young performers in Hollywood.
