Jenna Ortega Deactivates Twitter After Receiving Inappropriate AI-Generated Images

In an exclusive interview with The New York Times' podcast, "The Interview," actress Jenna Ortega shocked listeners by revealing that she deleted her Twitter account after receiving explicit artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images of herself when she was a minor. The 21-year-old star expressed her disdain for AI, emphasizing the need to use the technology for positive purposes rather than enabling harmful actions.

Ortega, known for her roles in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" and the upcoming series "Wednesday," candidly shared her traumatic experiences with AI. She recounted receiving edited and inappropriate content of herself as a child, causing her to feel terrified and violated. The young actress expressed her frustration, stating, "It's terrifying. It's corrupt. It's wrong."

The unpleasant encounters with AI started even before her teen years. Ortega recalled the first direct message she ever opened on the platform when she was just 12, which was an unsolicited explicit photo. The actress further explained that she initially created her Twitter account in an effort to "build her image," as advised by others in the industry. However, the negative consequences far outweighed any potential benefits, leading her to delete the account two to three years ago.

Ortega expressed her disgust towards the AI-generated images, describing them as "disgusting" and causing her to feel uncomfortable and bad about herself. She reached a breaking point when she realized she couldn't express herself on the platform without encountering such content, prompting her to take the decision to delete her Twitter account.

While Ortega has parted ways with Twitter, she still maintains an active presence on Instagram, where she boasts over 38 million followers. The young star shared that deleting her Twitter account was an important step in her personal growth and self-protection.

Reflecting on her early start in Hollywood at the age of 9, Ortega acknowledged that there are times she and her parents have regrets about her rapid entry into the industry. However, she ultimately expressed gratitude for the invaluable lessons she learned along the way, stating, "Looking back, I wouldn't change anything. I don't believe in that because if anything, I'm incredibly grateful for the lessons that it did teach me, and it did teach me so much."

Jenna Ortega's story sheds light on the dark side of AI and serves as a reminder of the need to prioritize ethics and responsibility in its use. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial to ensure that AI is harnessed for positive and beneficial purposes, protecting both individuals and society as a whole.