Jenna Ortega Says Her ‘Schoolgirl Costume’ in ‘Wednesday’ Is ‘Very Patronizing’

At 22 years old, Jenna Ortega should no longer be seen as a child star.

The Hurry Up Tomorrow actress has grown out of her Disney Channel past but continues to play teenage Wednesday Addams on Netflix show Wednesday. The series' second season will release this summer, but while speaking to Harper's Bazaar, Ortega voiced her frustrations with being viewed as a child because of the character.

"I’ve always been into dark things or been fascinated by them, but I was a Disney kid, and the whole thing is being bubbly and kind and overly sweet," she said.

About Wednesday, Ortega added, "I'm doing a show I’m going to be doing for years where I play a schoolgirl. But I’m also a young woman."

When Harper's journalist Carina Chocano related Ortega's concerns to those of fellow former child actress Natalie Portman, Ortega called it "really annoying because you just don’t feel like you’re being taken seriously."

"You know, it’s like how you’re dressed in the schoolgirl costume. … There’s just something about it that’s very patronizing," she continued. "Also, when you’re short, people are already physically looking down on you."

Another Wednesday effect is that Ortega has been "catapulted" to success, and she said she misses "anonymity."

"As grateful as I am, and it was a dream role, it was so nice to have had way less pressure," Ortega told The Weeknd for V Magazine. "I love the hustle. There’s something about the actor’s come-up and struggle that I really enjoyed."