Jenna Ortega on Child Stardom: ‘I Would Go All Day’ Without Food or Water

Jenna Ortega has opened up about the demanding realities of working as a child actor, revealing how far she was willing to go to prove herself on set. In a recent interview with Esquire, the actress disclosed that she would abstain from eating or drinking throughout entire working days to ensure she remained unobtrusive to those around her.

"I wasn't asking for a sip of water," Ortega said. "I would go all day without eating, drinking, whatever, because I wanted so badly to not be in the way of anybody."

The admission reflects a broader pattern of self-denial during her early career. Ortega explained that maintaining an impeccable professional demeanour was central to her approach as a young performer. "I really had it going for me as a child 'cause I can't think of one mistake I made," she noted. "I feel like I make mistakes now all the time, but as a child, I was so grateful and so excited to be there that my game face was on."

From Disney to Mainstream Recognition

Ortega's early career began at age 13 when she landed the lead role in Disney Channel's "Stuck in the Middle" in 2016. Prior to that breakthrough, she had appeared in shows including "Richie Rich," "Jane the Virgin," "You" and "Elena of Avalor." These formative years shaped not only her professional discipline but also her understanding of the industry's demands on young talent.

When asked about the stereotypes surrounding child stars, Ortega was candid. "Is it wrong to say that a lot of them are true?" she replied, suggesting that the challenges facing young actors are often rooted in legitimate industry pressures rather than mere perception.

The Root of Determination

Ortega traces her drive to perform back to age seven, when she first expressed her ambition to her parents. "My parents laughed at me when I told them that I wanted to do it, and then that was kind of the root of everything," she explained. "The motivation. And I never really stopped, because I'm very stubborn. And then I never questioned it."

Looking back, Ortega acknowledges that her reluctance to advocate for her own basic needs may have come at a cost. "Maybe that was my mistake, was not actually looking after myself," she reflected. The comment suggests a growing awareness of the importance of self-care alongside professional ambition—a lesson many young performers in the industry are now grappling with as conversations around child actor welfare gain prominence.

Ortega's willingness to discuss these sacrifices adds texture to her public persona, moving beyond her breakout role as Wednesday Addams to reveal the personal discipline and compromise that shaped her path to stardom.