Jenna Ortegais opening up about the best advice given to her in her career, and how that advice helped her gain confidence in her abilities.Speaking toVanity Fairrecently, she discusses how the advice allowed her to fully tackle her doubts and insecurities, especially when doing something new. During the interview, Ortega recalls the best advice given to her was that of her cello instructor for Netflix’s acclaimed seriesWednesday.Her titular character plays the cello, and while Ortega herself doesn’t play, she wanted her movements to be as authentic to the character as possible. She added that she wanted it to look real so that cellists didn’t look at it and criticize her performance,approaching the task with the “confidence of the average white man.”
“She told me that I just needed to approach everything I do in life with the confidence of the average white man. That changed my life.”
Jenna Ortega Reveals Why She Thinks Wednesday Has Bewitched Audiences
People can’t seem to get enough of Wednesday Addams, and Jenna Ortega thinks she knows why.
Ortega’s teacher also said that as long as she looked confident in her movements and remained strong and stoic she would be fine. Ortega added that shewas even nervous aboutthe interview with Vanity Fair, but ultimately the advice given to her helped her approach. If she’s feeling off or lacking confidence, she goes back to “Thinking like an average white man,” and it’s no longer a challenge.
“Like what am I going to talk about this whole time? Then I just remembered: How would an average white man do this? And he probably would’ve shown up with mismatched socks.”
What Can We Expect From Wednesday Season 2?
Jenna Ortega is currently in production for the second season of Netflix’s hit showWednesdaywhich is set to premiere in 2025. Based onThe Addams Familycomics written by Charles Addams, the show follows the adventures of Wednesday Addams and her high school years at Nevermore Academy. The series has been met with acclaim, going on to win four Primetime Emmy Awards and being nominated for several Golden Globes, including Best Actress for Ortega’s performance.
The upcoming season will focus more on the horror aspect, leaning towards the action while shying away from the romantic love interests. Ortega hasexpressed her distaste for the love triangle, explaining that “it makes no sense for her character.” Earlier this year at the Emmy Awards, she revealed that “each episode will probably feel a little bit more like a movie, which is nice.”
Most of the cast is returning for the second season, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday and Hunter Doohan, set to reprise their roles. Several additions were made to the season 2 cast, with the likes of Thandiwe Newton, Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Christopher Lloyd, whoselate casting came as an exciting surprise.
Follows Wednesday Addams' years as a student, when she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents. Directed by Tim Burton.
Ortega has kept busy with several movie releases since the first season of the popular Netflix show. In 2022, she starred inX and Scream,as well as its successor,Scream VIin 2023. She followed this with Paramount+‘sFinestkind(2023) andMiller’s Girl(2024). Her upcoming projects include Taiki Waititi’s adaptation ofKlara and the Sun, Death of a Unicorn,as well a JJ Abrams film and a Trey Edwards film.
Her next project,Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,a sequel to the successful 1988 horror comedy, is set for release on June 21, 2025.
