Jenna Ortega Receives Heartfelt Support from Latina Interviewer
Jenna Ortega, the star of Netflix's smash hit "Wednesday," recently received an outpouring of support from a fellow Latina during an interview for her upcoming film, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice".
During a chat with Buzzfeed journalist Carolina Reynoso, Ortega and her co-star Catherine O'Hara were discussing the sequel to Tim Burton's classic "Beetlejuice". Before diving into the film, Reynoso took a moment to offer words of encouragement to the young actress.
"Jenna, I just wanted to say from one Latina to another, youâre Latina enough," Reynoso declared, drawing a gasp and a subtle smile from Ortega. "I donât care what anyone else says, especially in the industry. Like, youâve opened so many doors for people like me, so you are Latina enough. Thank you so much for everything you do. I really appreciate you."
Visibly moved, Ortega rose from her chair and embraced Reynoso, while O'Hara looked on with warmth. "What a beautiful thing," the "Schitt's Creek" actress remarked.
A clip of this touching moment quickly went viral on social media, with viewers expressing their admiration for Reynoso's genuine support and Ortega's emotional response.
"You can tell immediately that she needed to hear that," commented one TikTok user. Another fan added, "You can tell she really appreciated this." The sentiment echoed across platforms: "That touched her heart," a third user wrote.
Ortega, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, has previously spoken openly about the importance of Latina representation in Hollywood. However, she has also faced criticism over the extent of her own cultural identity.
In September, Ortega sparked online debate after a video surfaced showing actress Anya Taylor-Joy, who was raised in Buenos Aires, introducing her husband to Ortega and Spanish pop star RosalÃa in Spanish at the Dior Paris Fashion Week show. Ortega responded in English, leading to online discussions questioning her Latina identity.
Speaking to Vanity Fair in a cover story published last August, the Netflix star acknowledged that the criticism surrounding her cultural background can feel like "youâre just not good enough."
"Because I wasnât born in a Spanish-speaking country, I know people have a hard time connecting with me," Ortega told the magazine.
She admitted feeling a "bit of shame" for not being as "in touch" with her roots as she would like to be. "I think thereâs a part of me that carries a bit of shame. For a second I was almost nervous to speak about my familyâs background because I feel like I was made to feel like it wasnât," she confessed before adding, "But also, something that Iâm learning is itâs not my job to carry the weight of everybody whoâs ever had that experience."
While Ortega does not speak fluent Spanish, she noted that it was her motherâs first language, adding, "Iâm so jealous every time I hear my mom speak perfect Spanish."
The exchange with Reynoso highlights the importance of genuine support and understanding, particularly for those navigating the complexities of their cultural identities in the public eye. It serves as a reminder that validation and encouragement can have a profound impact, offering a moment of genuine connection and affirmation.
