Jenna Ortega’s Comments Assure Me That She Won’t Leave Hollywood Like Emma Watson Did Even After the Wednesday Fame

Jenna Ortega reveals how her parents protected her from Hollywood’s dark side, ensuring a normal childhood unlike Emma Watson’s.

Hollywood has a reputation for chewing up child stars and spitting them out—just ask Emma Watson.

After years of being chased by paparazzi and growing up under the intense spotlight of Harry Potter, Watson eventually bowed out of the industry.

Surprisingly, she wasn’t alone, several other child stars followed the same route—some even opened up about the atrocities they faced on set.

But then came Jenna Ortega—our new Gen-Z Scream queen and Wednesday icon.

And guess what? I was scared that she might burn out or leave the spotlight too, just like Emma Watson did.

However, two of her comments calmed my nerves—they assured me that this girl wasn’t going anywhere.

Jenna Ortega’s mother shielded her from on-set misconduct 

After the Investigative Discovery series, Quiet on Set aired in March 2024, and Drake Bell later opened up during podcasts and interviews about the alleged abuse, inappropriate behavior, and toxic work environment—it broke my heart.

I was instantly reminded of several other stars, including Emma Watson, who might have faced similar misconduct.

Remember how the British actress gave up the most iconic franchise ever—the Harry Potter films—only to be sexualized by paparazzi on her 18th birthday? I couldn’t help but feel sad for such child stars who went through absolute chaos, just because they were famous.

So naturally, I started wondering about another rising youngster, Jenna Ortega, who started as a child star in Hollywood.

Considering how Ortega began working on set at the age of 9 and later became a staple on hit series like Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle, I wondered if she faced such behind-the-scenes trauma or disturbing acts while working.

And what followed was a spine-chilling fear that made me worry that Jenna Ortega might quit Hollywood like Emma Watson and several other child stars.

Emma Watson as Hermione in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone | image: Warner Bros.

But, then came the star’s interview with the New York Times, where she talked about how her mom was always there, watching over her like a hawk on every set, shielding her from on-set misconduct.

Well, this assured me that our favorite Wednesday star didn’t go through the misbehavior that others experienced.

Seriously, we need to give her mom a standing ovation.

I think for her, it was more pain because she had seen the way that other children maybe weren’t protected or weren’t as looked after… 

She watched over me like a hawk, so I think for her, it was more empathizing and wishing she somehow could have done something to help.

She just called me saying she was so grateful that things were ok and that she was there to witness everything.

Thanks to Jenna Ortega’s mother, the child star didn’t go through the horror stories we’ve heard from other young actors.

Further, the actress even said her mom called her after watching Quiet on Set, just to say how grateful she was to have been there the whole time.

Well, I’m happy for Ortega’s protective, and deeply involved mom, who shielded the actress from being exposed to the toxic chaos so many other child stars faced.

Jenna Ortega didn’t miss out on her childhood years, unlike Emma Watson 

While we know that Jenna Ortega didn’t go through abuse or misbehavior on set, I was reminded of another reason that led young actors to quit the industry: losing out on their childhood years.

Considering how these young actors work crazy hours like adults, skip school, and lose out on everything that a normal child should do—they often leave acting, just to enjoy their adult life and not miss out on anything.

Remember, when Emma Watson had openly talked about how she basically grew up on the Harry Potter set, missing out on the normal childhood stuff? That’s enough to make anyone walk away from Hollywood—and Watson eventually did.

And that’s what instilled fear in me, once again, for Jenna Ortega.

I wondered, if not abuse, then could this be a reason for Ortega to quit acting?

Jenna Ortega in Wednesday | image: Netflix.

Well, it seems the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star is just built differently.

While the actress acknowledged that “child acting is strange” in general, she mentioned how her parents made sure she had a normal childhood.

Praising her parents for not letting her skip the whole “being a kid” part while working like adults, Ortega mentioned how her parents prioritized all the right things.

Children aren’t supposed to be working like that.

They are supposed to be climbing trees and drawing and going to school.

Some of those kids’ parents don’t even take school seriously.

So, I feel really, really fortunate to have had parents who made sure that I hung out with friends, made sure that I went to public school, and wouldn’t allow me to work on a job unless I had straight A’s and was prioritizing my sleep and my schoolwork.

Admitting how her parents prioritized her health, her mental well-being, and her grades, Jenna Ortega mentioned that she had the perfect kind of balance every child actor deserves.

And guess what? Although she admitted there are “times I regret” choosing an acting career at such a young age, she “wouldn’t change anything”, because of the solid support system she had.

That one sentence hit me—and now I can rest, knowing that Ortega won’t be following Emma Watson’s footsteps.