### Jenna Ortega Faces Backlash Over Candid Remarks on Fame and Her Role in "Wednesday"

Jenna Ortega, known for her breakout role as Wednesday Addams in the popular Netflix series "Wednesday," has sparked controversy following frank comments about her experience with newfound fame. In an interview published by Harper's Bazaar on May 28, the 22-year-old actress revealed her struggles with the pressures and attention that came with her role.

"I was an unhappy person," Ortega confessed, addressing the complexities she faced after entering the spotlight. Known for being introverted, she described the intense and overwhelming nature of sudden fame as "scary" and expressed feeling "incredibly misunderstood."

Ortega shared her thoughts on the current cultural climate, noting, "I feel like being a bully is very popular right now." She disclosed that becoming a subject of rumors was an eye-opening experience. Additionally, Ortega aired frustrations about the challenges of portraying a schoolgirl on-screen while evolving into a young woman off-screen. "I'm doing a show I'm going to be doing for years where I play a schoolgirl," she explained. "But I'm also a young woman. You just don't feel like you're being taken seriously." She added that the role felt "very patronizing."

The reaction to Ortega's comments has been mixed, with some critics taking to social media to voice their disapproval. A number of social media users criticized her for seeming unappreciative, pointing out the financial benefits she gained from her role. One critic tweeted, "I bet the huge 6 and 7 figure paychecks she took for the role weren't that patronizing though," while another remarked, "Cry me a river."

Despite the backlash, Ortega's supporters rallied to her defense. Some fans argue that her feelings are valid and that the pressures of appearing in such a high-profile role shouldn't be underestimated. "She isn't wrong," one supporter tweeted, while another stated, "Fair play to her."

Ortega acknowledged the negative feedback but maintained that she remains deeply appreciative of her fans and the opportunities the show has given her. "I want to be able to give back to them," she said about her fans. "But I also want to do things that are creatively fulfilling to me."

This isn't the first instance of controversy surrounding Ortega's candid reflections. In March 2023, she faced similar criticism after revealing that she had altered parts of her "Wednesday" script because certain lines didn't align with the character. In response to the backlash, Ortega later told Vanity Fair that she could have chosen her words more carefully. "I think it was hard because I felt like had I represented the situation better, it probably would've been received better," she reflected.

As Jenna Ortega prepares to turn 23 this September, just after the second season of "Wednesday" premieres on August 6, her candidness continues to provoke both criticism and support from fans and critics alike.