Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega
Ortega began her career at the age of 9, with guest appearances on television series Rob and CSI: NY. She then gained notoriety for her recurring role on Jane the Virgin and soon got her first role of a main cast in Netflix series Richie Rich. She then gained international credibility and fame after starring as the lead role in Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle and starring as a main character in Disney Channel series Elena of Avalor. She will star next in the second season of the Netflix thriller series You.
Early life
Jenna Ortega was born on September 27, 2002 in Coachella Valley, California, the fourth of six siblings.[2] Ortega's father is of Mexican American descent and her mother is of mixed Mexican and Puerto Rican ancestry.[5][6] Ortega had become interested in acting from the age of six. By the age of eight, with her mother's help and agents, Ortega eventually began receiving auditions.[4]
Career
Ortega started by making appearances on various television and films. She made a guest appearance for Rob, in the episode "Baby Bug."[7] Following this was an appearance on CSI: NY on the episode "Unspoken" as Aimee Moore.[8] She made her first appearance in a film in the movie Iron Man 3 as the vice president's daughter, as well as starring in Insidious: Chapter 2 as Annie. She then had a recurring role on Rake, as well as a recurring role as Young Jane on Jane the Virgin.
In 2015, Ortega was cast for the Netflix original series Richie Rich as part of the main cast, playing Darcy, Richie's best friend. Her character was a gold digger, that would spend Richie's money even without his consent. She received much notoriety for her role and helped her career. From 2016 to 2018,[9] Ortega then went on to star on the Disney Channel sitcom Stuck in the Middle as Harley Diaz, the lead role of the show, the character being the middle child of the seven Diaz siblings, throughout the show's run.[10] This role won her an Imagen Award in 2018.[11] She also voices Princess Isabel on Disney's Elena of Avalor. In January 2019, Ortega had been cast in the main role of Ellie Alves on the second season of the Netflix thriller series You.[12][13]
Ortega has stated that she has an interest for directing various films/television later on throughout her career.[14]
Personal life
Ortega is a supporter of Pride Over Prejudice, a campaign that promotes acceptance towards the LGBT community.[14] She has also stated that she is against anti-immigration and discrimination.[15] Ortega told Teen Vogue:
“It’s important to embrace your culture today because there are so many different ethnicities in America. At the end of the day, you are you. You’ve got to stay true to yourself, and you can’t change yourself in order to fit in or to make someone else feel comfortable.”[15]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Rob | Girl | Episode: "The Baby Bug"[7] |
| 2012 | CSI: NY | Aimee Moore | Episode: "Unspoken"[8] |
| 2013 | Iron Man 3 | Vice President's daughter | Film |
| 2013 | Insidious: Chapter 2 | Annie | Film |
| 2014 | Rake | Zoe Leon | Recurring role |
| 2014 | The Little Rascals Save the Day | Mary Ann | Direct-to-video film |
| 2014–2019 | Jane the Virgin | Young Jane (age 12) | Recurring role; 27 episodes |
| 2015 | Richie Rich | Darcy | Main role |
| 2015 | After Words | Anna Chapa | Film[16] |
| 2016–2018 | Stuck in the Middle | Harley Diaz | Lead role |
| 2016–present | Elena of Avalor | Princess Isabel | Main voice role[17] |
| 2016 | Elena and the Secret of Avalor | Princess Isabel | Television film |
| 2018 | Bizaardvark | Izzy | Episode: "The BFF (Before Frankie Friend)" |
| 2019 | Big City Greens | Gabriella | Voice role; Episode: "Valentine's Dance" |
| 2019 | You | Ellie Alves | Main role (season 2)[12] |