Jenna Ortega Reveals Childhood Inspiration: "I Idolized Elle and Dakota Fanning, Dreaming of Becoming the Puerto Rican Dakota Fanning"

During Variety’s ACTORS ON ACTORS interview, Jenna Ortega, who plays the lead role in the TV series “Wednesday,” shared her admiration for Elle Fanning and her sister Dakota. Ortega revealed that she looked up to the Fanning sisters while growing up, saying her desire to be “the Puerto Rican Dakota Fanning.” She praised their talent and achievements in the entertainment industry.

Jenna Ortega tells Elle Fanning that she grew up idolizing her and her sister Dakota: “I wanted to be the Puerto Rican Dakota Fanning!” See the clip below.

Jenna Ortega tells Elle Fanning that she grew up idolizing her and sister Dakota: "Immense respect for everything you do and all that you've accomplished." | Variety #ActorsOnActors presented by @AppleTV https://t.co/MqDrkNvpc6 pic.twitter.com/cINpTrC9p7
— Variety (@Variety) June 7, 2023

During her conversation with Elle Fanning, Ortega became emotional while discussing the toxicity of social media. She talked about the difficulty of finding a balance between honesty and protecting her well-being. Ortega tearfully reflected on the challenges of feeling out of control in the face of the toxicity online. Ortega said, “It’s such a hard thing to balance. How do you be honest without jeopardizing your own health and safety? It’s very easy to feel out of control.”

Jenna Ortega starts to cry as she talks to Elle Fanning about how toxic social media can be: "It's such a hard thing to balance. How do you be honest without jeopardizing your own health and safety? It's very easy to feel out of control." https://t.co/MqDrkNvpc6 pic.twitter.com/mb4L1q2RVv
— Variety (@Variety) June 7, 2023

Ortega says “Wednesday” season 2 will “lean into the horror more.” She added, “We’re ditching any romantic love interest, which is really great. We’re going to get bolder and more dark.”