Jenna Ortega may be one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young stars, but she has little interest in following the public reaction to her work. The Wednesday actress has revealed that she doesn’t watch her own movies, read reviews or check box office numbers, preferring to focus on the creative process rather than commercial success.
In a new interview with Vogue, the 24-year-old actress discussed her relationship with fame, social media and the pressures of working in entertainment. Separately, during an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, she revealed plans to take a break from television after Wednesday eventually concludes.
Why Jenna Ortega Avoids Reviews and Box Office Numbers
Ortega explained that she deliberately distances herself from the reception of her projects.
Although her representatives send her box office updates, she chooses not to open them.
“I don’t want it to become a numbers thing,” she told Vogue.
The actress also avoids watching her own performances and reading critical reviews, suggesting that paying too much attention to outside opinions could negatively affect her creative experience.
Instead, she previously relied on occasional social media discussions to understand how audiences responded to her films.
However, even that habit has gradually disappeared.
Ortega expressed frustration with AI-generated content flooding social platforms and revealed that she now spends considerably less time online.
When her phone recently broke, she deliberately delayed getting it repaired, finding unexpected freedom in navigating daily life without constant digital access.
Jenna Ortega Plans a Television Break After Wednesday
During her Happy Sad Confused interview, Ortega reflected on spending much of her childhood working in television.
Her early credits include Jane the Virgin, Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle and Netflix’s You.
“I think after Wednesday, I’ll probably be off the TV for a while,” she said.
The actress explained that moving repeatedly between television productions throughout her childhood has made her increasingly interested in exploring different creative opportunities.
Her comments do not mean she is leaving Wednesday immediately or that Season 3 will be the show’s final installment.
Netflix confirmed that filming for Season 3 wrapped on September 30, 2026, but has not announced a release date or confirmed when the series will end.
Jenna Ortega Wants More Creative Freedom
Ortega’s evolving priorities are already reflected in her upcoming projects.
She stars in Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun, an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel in which she portrays an artificial companion.
She is also developing Nasty, a gymnastics drama directed by Mary Bronstein, while pursuing opportunities with filmmaker Leos Carax.
Beyond acting, Ortega has expressed interest in theater, producing and eventually directing.
Rather than abandoning entertainment, she appears determined to build a career that isn’t defined exclusively by Wednesday Addams or commercial expectations.
For an actress who began working professionally as a child, choosing creative freedom over constant visibility could become an important part of her next chapter.
