Jenna Ortega and Wednesday: The TikTok trendsetter that almost wasn't

Jenna Ortega's connection to her character on Wednesday has been so profound that it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role. Yet, in a surprising twist, Ortega was initially skeptical. “No, I didn’t. I got the email, passed on it," she remarked, expressing her yearning for film roles over TV shows. With an illustrious career that began at the tender age of nine, and a prominent lead in Disney’s Stuck in the Middle, Ortega's hesitance is understandable. She pondered the limitations a TV role might impose on her budding film ambitions. It was the allure of collaborating with cinematic legend Tim Burton that made Ortega reconsider. “Tim is such a legend, and we just happened to get along very well," she reminisced. Despite this, she admitted to turning down the role a few more times before finally accepting.

Also read: Jenna Ortega and the dance legacy of the Addams Family: A look back. 

From innocent eyes to scream queen

Post-Wednesday, Jenna's trajectory skyrocketed, showcasing her diverse range on shows like Saturday Night Live and in gripping movies such as Scream VI. Her roles in spine-chillers like Insidious: Chapter 2 and Netflix’s You painted her as the modern-day scream queen. Reflecting on this tag, she humorously noted, “For some reason people see my face and want to throw blood on it … It was never intentional, but it’s really fun.”

Also read: Jenna Ortega's transition: From Disney days to Netflix's gothic heroine. 

Today, as we look back, it's thrilling to think of how the stars aligned for Jenna Ortega to become the face of one of Netflix's most celebrated shows. From an unsure beginning to global recognition, her journey reminds us of the unpredictable paths to success in the world of entertainment.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)