Podcast Summary
Jenna Ortega's acting journey: Jenna Ortega's rise to fame in Wednesday and Beetlejuice sequel is due to years of hard work and dedication, despite isolation and challenges, including reuniting with director Tim Burton.
Jenna Ortega's rise to fame as the star of Netflix's Wednesday and her upcoming role in the Beetlejuice sequel is the result of years of hard work and dedication to her craft. Ortega, who started acting as a child, has been honing her skills on shows like Jane the Virgin and in horror films like Scream and X. Despite her newfound fame, she remains a deeply thoughtful and curious person who finds inspiration in journaling and exploring her dreams. Ortega's experience of filming in unfamiliar locations can be isolating, but she's working on finding a balance between her work and personal life. In the Beetlejuice sequel, she'll be reuniting with director Tim Burton, who is known for his ability to balance dark topics with joy and humor. Ortega's role as the daughter of Winona Ryder's character promises to be an exciting addition to the classic film.
Beliefs and Fear: Childhood experiences and cultural traditions can shape our beliefs about life and death, but skepticism and acknowledgement of other perspectives are important as we grow older.
Beliefs, whether rooted in cultural traditions or personal experiences, shape our perspectives on life and death. The speaker grew up believing in ghosts due to her Latin heritage and family experiences, but as she grew older, she became skeptical and acknowledged that there might be no afterlife. Her childhood was marked by a loving family, intense fears instilled by her emergency room nurse mother, and a strong desire to express herself. Despite her parents' intense jobs dealing with life and death matters, their fears influenced her own caution and paranoia. The speaker's acting career took off with roles on Disney Channel, including Elena of Avalor, which holds significance as the first Latina princess in animation.
Parental Support in Child Acting: Having caring parents who prioritize education and well-being is crucial for a child actor's success and emotional stability in the industry
Having supportive parents was crucial for Auli'i Cravalho's success as a child actor. She shared a heartwarming story about being brought to tears when she saw fans dressed as her character Elena in Disney World, and how her mother's presence helped her stay grounded amidst the intense personalities she encountered in the industry. Auli'i acknowledged the dangers of child acting and expressed gratitude for her parents' insistence on prioritizing her education and well-being. She also noted that the experience changed her perspective on life and made her stand out among her peers. Despite the challenges, Auli'i's story underscores the importance of having caring adults to guide and protect young talents in their journey towards success.
Disney stars' growth experiences: Disney stardom taught Elle Fanning industry knowledge, maturity, and valuable connections. Despite challenges, she's grateful for experiences shaping her into a role model for young girls.
The experiences of growing up in the public eye as a Disney star, although challenging, have provided valuable lessons and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Actress Elle Fanning shared how her early career taught her industry knowledge, instilled maturity, and allowed her to connect with and learn from older actresses. Despite the regrets and hardships, Fanning expressed gratitude for the experiences that shaped her into the person she is today. Her role as Wednesday in the Netflix series has also given young girls a new perspective, encouraging them to embrace their unique personalities and not feel the need to be liked all the time. However, the increased public attention and scrutiny since her career took off have made dealing with her newfound fame much harder for her as a private person.
Growing up in public eye: Despite privileges and success, growing up in public eye brings fear, self-doubt, and need for privacy. Self-care and balance are essential.
Growing up in the public eye comes with unique challenges and pressures. The speaker, despite her privileged life and successful career, expresses feelings of fear, self-doubt, and the need for privacy. She acknowledges the intensity of the attention she receives and the expectations placed upon her, but also recognizes her limitations as a young adult. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding balance between her public and private life. She reflects on the past and present, acknowledging the fear and uncertainty that comes with transitioning into adulthood, regardless of the public eye. Overall, the speaker's words highlight the complexities of growing up in the public eye and the importance of self-compassion and self-care.
Identity and representation: Distinguishing between external validation and personal growth when representing one's culture can help reduce feelings of frustration and fear.
The pressure to represent one's culture and be the best version of oneself can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of frustration and the fear of messing up. However, it's important to make that distinction between doing it for external validation and doing it for personal growth and connection. The speaker shares her desire to learn Spanish to connect more deeply with her Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage and her grandmother, but finds herself struggling to commit to the learning process. She also expresses her discomfort with the existence of AI and the negative ways it can be used, particularly in relation to her own experiences of having her image manipulated and shared online without consent. Ultimately, she emphasizes the importance of using technology and representation for good intentions.
Social media and personal growth: Actress Jenna Ortega shares her experience of deleting a social media app for personal growth and plans to work on her birthday instead of celebrating.
Jenna Ortega, an actress known for her role in "Beetlejuice," shared her experience of deleting a social media app that made her uncomfortable and described her personal growth as being on a "little personal expedition." Ortega, who has spent most of her birthdays on film sets, plans to work on her birthday this year and has never been a big celebrator. The conversation was produced by Seth Kelly and edited by Annabelle Bacon, among others. Ortega and her friend Will Ferrell, who is an actor and producer, discussed making a documentary about Ferrell's friend's gender transition, which they saw as an opportunity for a fun project rather than a social justice issue. The interview will be on a break next week and will feature an episode from The New York Times Book Review podcast, followed by an interview with Ferrell and his friend Harper Steel.