What’s Jenna Ortega’s Favorite Acting World? What Really Grabs Her?
Jenna Ortega. Her name just lands with so many of us today. You know? Especially for folks in Gen Z and millennials. She’s genuinely just exploded onto the acting scene. She was born back on September 27, 2002. Her quick climb in Hollywood is honestly super inspiring. It’s quite a sight, to be frank. She’s been in tons of popular shows and movies lately. Her amazing talent really shines across all kinds of stories. But what kind of character does she love playing most? What actually makes her say yes to a project? Let’s really dig into her journey a bit. We can look at what she seems to prefer. And, to be honest, try to figure out why she picks these things.
Looking Back at Where Jenna Ortega Started
Okay, so before we guess her favorite genres. We really need to see how she got here. What else can I say about that? Jenna started acting when she was super young. Her first big part was playing young Jane. That was in the really fantastic show *Jane the Virgin*. From there, she jumped into lots of different roles. She totally showed everyone how many things she could do. She got pretty well known from Disney’s *Stuck in the Middle*. Her character, Harley Diaz, just clicked with so many viewers out there.
Then her path kept going forward. Jenna started taking on parts that were a bit darker. Think about the show *You* on Netflix. And then there’s the recent *Wednesday*. She totally took on playing the classic Wednesday Addams. This step into more complex stories really highlights her current interests. It points to the kinds of genres that really pull her in now.
Falling for the World of Horror
From my perspective, Jenna Ortega truly has a soft spot for the horror genre. She talks a lot about how much she loves horror films and scary shows. For example, while promoting *Wednesday*, she seemed so genuinely excited. She really wanted to explore her character’s darker bits. It seems to me that horror lets her stretch herself big time. This is true as both an actress and creatively.
So, here’s a cool fact for you: horror is super popular with people watching stuff. A survey from Statista proves this point. Back in 2020, a big 56% of people said they liked horror movies. That’s a huge crowd for these kinds of tales! Her being in this genre just makes sense with what lots of people enjoy. But it also shows how easily she can switch gears. She moves between lighter and much darker parts. Pretty amazing, right?
The Pull of Hard Characters
I believe something that really draws Jenna to horror is getting to play layered characters. You know, in lots of horror movies, the people in them deal with some seriously tough stuff. They face hard choices. They feel really deep fears. And they are often fighting their own inner struggles. Jenna has said she looks for parts that really push her limits. These roles allow her to really dig into deep human feelings.
Think about the movie *The Fallout*, for instance. That film looks at what happens after a school shooting. Jenna’s character goes through such huge emotional pain. This part was so different from anything she did before. It totally showed everyone her range as an actress. The Hollywood Reporter even gave her performance high praise. They said it felt real and deeply moving.
Horror gives actors a space where they can explore these things. It lets them truly get inside a character’s head. Imagine the feeling of stepping into the shoes of someone facing terror. Someone who finds strength. Someone who fights to stay alive. Honestly, it’s not surprising Jenna is drawn to these complicated people. She enjoys finding her way through such complex worlds.
Inspired by Famous Figures
Horror has such a deep history. It’s full of really famous characters and unforgettable movies. These stories have really helped build the whole genre. Jenna Ortega has mentioned several horror legends as people she looks up to. She admires directors like Jordan Peele. And actors such as Jennifer Love Hewitt. You can definitely see their influence showing up in her own work. Especially in how she brings her characters to life on screen.
Jenna even told Collider about some of her all-time favorite movies. She really loves films like *Scream* and the *Halloween* series. These movies didn’t just impact how she acts. They also shaped how she builds her own characters from the ground up. Slasher films are having a moment again now. *Scream* (2022) proved this big time. It made over $168 million around the world. That’s a crazy amount of cash, isn’t it? This success shows that people really want horror. It makes it a great spot for young actors like Jenna to be.
Liking Dark Comedy Too
But here’s the thing: Jenna doesn’t just stick to scary stuff. She actually really enjoys dark comedy as well! In *Wednesday*, horror and humor are mixed together. This creates a really unique kind of show to watch. Jenna is fantastic at balancing the creepy parts with funny moments. It truly highlights just how many different things she can do. Dark comedy lets us think about serious things. But it still keeps the audience hooked in a lighter way.
A Pew Research survey points this out clearly. Dark comedy and horror grab younger people’s attention more and more. This trend fits Jenna’s choices perfectly, it seems to me. She moves between these genres with such natural ease. Making people laugh while also talking about dark topics is rare. It’s a talent not many folks have. But honestly, Jenna seems to have totally nailed it.
Why Horror Feels Right for Jenna
To be honest, horror connects with Jenna for some pretty meaningful reasons. First off, it gives her a way to look at her own fears. It also lets her face moments of feeling unsure or exposed. She’s mentioned in interviews that acting in horror can actually feel healing. It offers a safe place to confront things that scare her. This deep personal tie makes the genre more than just a job. It becomes a path for learning about herself.
Also, horror often looks closely at bigger world issues. Things like mental health struggles, past hurts, and fears we all share. Jenna cares a lot about these subjects. She often speaks out about making people more aware of mental health needs. Especially for kids and young adults. It’s no secret that talking about mental health still feels difficult for some. So, horror can be a vital way to get those conversations started.
For example, her part in *The Fallout* isn’t just about jump scares. It’s about the real horror of what happens after school shootings. And the pain that stays with people. By playing characters in these hard situations, Jenna helps out. She brings attention to these really important problems. This deeper goal gives her another reason entirely. It draws her to pick these specific kinds of roles.
What’s Next for Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega just keeps moving forward in Hollywood. Her clear love for horror and playing complex people will likely shape her future road. We can definitely expect to see more thrilling parts from her coming up. I am eager to see her tackle new and different characters. She has several projects lined up, you know? And maybe some more horror work too.
I am excited to see exactly where her career journey takes her next. Her talent is truly unbelievable, I believe that strongly. Her choices are showing a cool new pattern. Young actors are picking roles that challenge what we expect. It seems to me that Jenna is more than just an actress. She is also becoming a powerful voice for change using her amazing art.
Just a Final Thought
So, summing things up, Jenna Ortega definitely leans into horror a lot. She also enjoys dark comedy, which is honestly cool to see. Playing complex characters really pulls her in. And stories that touch on big issues in society. Her own personal connection to things also makes this genre feel special to her. It’s truly exciting to imagine what future roles are waiting for her. Her influence and her talent just keep getting bigger. As she finds her own unique spot in this industry, we can all watch. Audiences will get to see her in roles that connect with us on many different levels.
I am happy to witness the amazing growth of this young actress. She’s not just talented, you know? She’s also really thoughtful about the world she lives in. Jenna Ortega is seriously a force to be reckoned with. Her journey through the world of horror is probably just the start. This feels like only the very beginning of her incredible story.