Jenna Ortega on her spanish, growing up chicana and Wednesday

Netflix's 'Wednesday' lead actress Jenna Ortega, one of Hollywood's brightest young stars, is opening up about her identity as a Latina in the spotlight, family, insecurities, and her succesful career.

in a candid cover story for Vogue México and Latin America. The 22-year-old actress, whose Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage has always been part of her public image, revealed how growing up Chicana in Indio, California shaped her, and why speaking Spanish continues to be a sensitive subject.

"I'm very insecure when I speak Spanish"

Ortega admitted that her relationship with the Spanish language has been one of her biggest struggles as an actress with Latino roots in Hollywood.

"Even though I feel proud and I know who I am, my upbringing and my story with my culture, I think I've seen some frustration for not having grown up in a Spanish-speaking country," she said. "It's difficult for me not being able to speak Spanish fluently, and I try. I speak with my dad in Spanish, I write, I read, but I'm very insecure when I speak and I don't want to offend anyone. That's been a very delicate point for me."

Ortega added that there is "a lot of pressure" when it comes to meeting the expectations of Latino audiences. "Sometimes it feels brutal, but then you go home and remember what it's about. You meet a young Chicana in a grocery store, she hugs you, you talk with her mother, and you see how meaningful it can be for people."

From Indio to Hollywood

Born in Palm Desert and raised in La Quinta and Indio in the Coachella Valley, Ortega grew up in a mostly Latino community. Her father, of Mexican descent, and her mother, of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, raised six children together.

She described that environment as central to her identity. "It's a fundamental part of who I am. These things don't disappear or change. I'm very close to my family and my upbringing. I'm from California, so my community, mostly Latino, was my childhood. It's simply what I know."

Despite her proud roots, Ortega has faced criticism for not speaking Spanish fluently. The topic resurfaced during the promotion of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in 2024, when a Latina journalist assured her, "You are Latina enough." The moment went viral, resonating with millions of young Latinos in the U.S. who share similar insecurities about language and cultural belonging.

Career Breakthroughs

Ortega's career began with roles in Jane the Virgin and Disney Channel's Stuck in the Middle, but she became an international sensation with Netflix's Wednesday, directed by Tim Burton. The series turned her into a global icon and earned her Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations.

In Vogue México, she recalled preparing for her role as Wednesday Addams by studying silent films and adopting the deadpan expression of Buster Keaton. The viral dance scene and her agreement with Burton not to blink on camera became instant fan lore.

"It's funny because Wednesday would hate all this attention and obsession—appearing on cereal boxes and T-shirts is so unusual for her," Ortega said. "I also think the world of celebrity is very strange. The glorification of someone you'll never truly know fascinates me, and I'm happy to question it anytime."

Beyond Wednesday, Ortega has appeared in horror hits like Scream VI and X, and she co-stars in the highly anticipated Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. She has also stepped into producing, a move she describes as empowering after years of feeling like she didn't have a voice on set.

"Being young and assertive is intense for a lot of people, especially as a woman," she explained. "I've always known what it feels like not to have a voice, and that terrifies me. I don't ever want to be in that situation again. Now I just want to make sure I use my voice in the most professional, efficient and kind way possible."

Proud, Cautious, and Determined

Reflecting on her journey, Ortega describes herself as both "stubborn" and "cautious." Her stubbornness drives her relentless work ethic, while her cautiousness helps her navigate fame and identity carefully.

"I used to be a very extroverted child, but I've become more reserved. It doesn't mean something negative, It just means I choose my words carefully," she said.

For Ortega, balancing her Latinidad, her career, and her own voice remains a work in progress. But in the pages of Vogue México, she makes it clear that she embraces both the pride and the pressure.

"I'll always be proud, always curious, and always learning," she said. "Even if my experience is not everyone's, I know where I come from."

Originally published on Latin Times