Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Jenna Ortega Says She Nearly Quit Acting Before You, Recalls Failing Hereditary Audition

Her remarks highlight a pivot that set up her later breakout on Wednesday.

Overview

  • Ortega told the Big Bro with Kid Cudi podcast she had talked for months about quitting after a kids show ended and high school began.
  • She said the 2019 call to play Ellie Alves on Netflix's You changed her mind once she got to set and felt she belonged.
  • She also recalled failing a childhood audition for Ari Aster's horror film Hereditary, saying the sides were two ominous pages she did not grasp at age 12.
  • The part she tried for was Charlie, which went to Milly Shapiro, and she said she understood she did not fit the role.
  • She framed rejection as manageable and noted that work on Scream, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and Netflix's Wednesday led to Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations.